Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Google is transforming its Wear OS smartwatches from simple fitness trackers and communication tools into powerful, life-saving devices. In a significant expansion of its public safety technology, the company is now rolling out its proven Earthquake Alerts system to smartwatches, designed to give you a critical warning just moments before the ground starts to shake.
This innovative feature leverages the sophisticated accelerometer already built into your watch. When an earthquake begins, it sends out initial, fast-moving seismic waves called P-waves. These waves are generally less destructive but arrive seconds before the more powerful and dangerous S-waves that cause the violent shaking.
Here’s how it works: if your smartwatch detects vibrations that match the signature of a P-wave, it instantly sends a signal to Google's central earthquake detection server. This server then rapidly analyzes data from a vast network of other Android phones and watches in the area. If multiple devices report the same tremor, the system confirms a real earthquake is in progress.
Once confirmed, the system sends an immediate alert to all users in the affected region, delivered directly to their watch screen. This warning, arriving just seconds before the main S-waves hit, provides a precious window of opportunity to “drop, cover, and hold on,” potentially preventing serious injury.
This isn't an entirely new technology, but an extension of the highly successful Android Earthquake Alerts System, which has effectively created the world's largest mobile earthquake detection network. By adding smartwatches to this network, Google is making these alerts even more personal and accessible.
The feature is being rolled out globally as a free service to all modern Wear OS smartwatches. To enable it, users can simply navigate to their watch’s Settings > Safety & Emergency > Earthquake alerts and toggle it on. The system works automatically, providing alerts for any location the user is in, making it an invaluable tool for both residents of earthquake-prone areas and travelers.
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