Smartwatches are getting smarter. They can now warn you about earthquakes. This is thanks to Google’s Wear OS.
People in earthquake-prone areas know how important it is to get alerts fast. That’s why Google launched earthquake alerts for Android in 2020. It uses data from millions of phones to detect earthquakes.
When an earthquake is detected, Google sends an alert to your device. The alert shows the estimated magnitude and distance to the epicenter. This feature is currently only on smartphones, but it’s coming to smartwatches soon.
How it works
The Google Play Services app is what makes this possible. It’s already on Android phones and Wear OS smartwatches. The latest update includes a new feature: earthquake alerts on Wear OS devices.
When an earthquake is detected, your smartwatch will alert you. The alert will show the estimated distance to the epicenter and the initial magnitude. This means you’ll get vital information even when you’re not near your phone.
Benefits
This feature is a big plus for Wear OS. People often leave their phones behind when exercising or doing chores. With earthquake alerts on their smartwatches, they won’t miss important warnings.
The Android earthquake alert system isn’t perfect, but it can make a big difference. Even a few seconds’ warning can be crucial. It’s already proven itself in the past, saving lives in earthquake-prone areas.
Google hasn’t officially announced the launch, but it’s expected soon. The feature is part of Google Play Services version 25.21. When it arrives, smartwatch users will get earthquake alerts on their wrists.