Android cellphone makers have been engaged on a rival to the iPhone’s Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc characteristic since Apple launched it beginning with the iPhone 14. Now because of some eagle-eyed Pixel customers, we’ve got cause to imagine Google may very well be bringing the life-saving characteristic to its Pixel telephones very quickly.
As noticed by 9to5Google this week, a brand new “Satellite tv for pc SOS” possibility now seems between Emergency SOS and Automotive Crash Detection within the Security & emergency settings on Pixel telephones. We have confirmed it for ourselves on each a Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 7a.
For these unaware, Apple’s Emergency SOS through Satellite tv for pc characteristic is, because the identify suggests, meant for emergency utilization as a way of broadcasting a person’s location to emergency companies when an lively mobile or Wi-Fi connection is not obtainable. Basically, it lets your cellphone make a name for assist by connecting to satellite tv for pc as a substitute of a cell tower. It is a characteristic that is already been credited with saving a couple of lives when iPhone customers have grow to be stranded in areas the place there was no mobile protection.
As for Google’s potential rival on Pixel telephones, proper now for those who faucet the Satellite tv for pc SOS possibility, nothing occurs. It is as if Google unintentionally pushed out the menu possibility earlier than the characteristic was able to go reside. Regardless of the cause, it is clear the search large is getting ready so as to add satellite tv for pc connectivity to the Pixel collection sooner or later — and certain within the close to future.
When the crew at 9to5Google dug a bit deeper, they uncovered some extra screens within the Pixel’s code that appeared tied to the Satellite tv for pc SOS characteristic. Via a rooted cellphone, the crew was capable of entry a possible menu for the characteristic that included the next textual content: “Along with your Pixel, you possibly can message with emergency companies and share your location when you possibly can’t hook up with a cellular or Wi-Fi community.”
One other portion of textual content on the backside of the web page goes into extra element: “Once you join with emergency companies by satellite tv for pc, your identify, e-mail, cellphone quantity, location, machine info (IMEI, language, mannequin, battery stage), and emergency info are share with emergency companies and satellite tv for pc service suppliers.”
The Google News channel on Telegram additionally shared screenshots, which you’ll try beneath.
From the seems of it, customers will be capable to customise their emergency contacts and arrange automated alerts in case of an emergency. The privateness disclaimer states that your identify, e-mail, cellphone quantity, location, emergency contacts, and machine info can be shared with each emergency companies and satellite tv for pc service suppliers if Satellite tv for pc SOS is enabled.
The web page comprises choices to “Attempt a demo” or “Take a look at actual mode” that are not at the moment working in addition to a hyperlink out to a (not but reside) Google help web page relating to what international locations are supported by Satellite tv for pc SOS. There’s additionally a link to a Garmin Search and Rescue Insurance coverage plan, implying that Google might associate with Garmin, whose sprawling community covers over 150 international locations throughout all continents, for search and rescue and international emergency response protection.
Precisely when Google plans to roll this performance out to customers stays to be seen. Equally unclear is whether or not Satellite tv for pc SOS can be restricted to Pixel handsets or obtainable throughout all the perfect Android telephones. However the truth that Google already has the shortcut reside is an efficient signal that we could not have lengthy to attend.