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What you need to know
Google has announced an important update for the Emergency SOS feature on the Pixel Watch, aiming to enhance user safety and reduce accidental emergency calls. The new protocol will require users to confirm their need for assistance by pressing and holding the display, rather than automatically dialing emergency services. This change mirrors a recent update applied to Android devices through the Personal Safety app.
This adjustment is intended to provide both users and emergency responders with a more reliable experience. In a community post released on January 24, Google explained that this new confirmation step is designed to significantly lower the chances of unintentional calls to emergency services.
The update specifies that for the Emergency SOS feature to function correctly, users must have location services activated and maintain a stable 4G LTE connection.
Specifically, the new confirmation process requires users to press the crown five times and hold the screen for three seconds to initiate a call. If confirmation is not provided within 20 seconds, the emergency screen will automatically close to prevent any unexpected actions.
While the touch-and-hold confirmation will become the default method for initiating SOS calls, users can still opt for their Pixel Watch to place an emergency call automatically if they prefer.
Once the update is available in the coming weeks, users will find these settings under Settings > Safety and Emergency > Emergency SOS > Ways to start SOS > Automatically.
(Image credit: Google)
This enhancement follows Google’s earlier changes to the Personal Safety app on Android, which similarly introduced a “touch and hold” confirmation step before a user could call 911. The motivation for this modification stemmed from a rise in accidental calls.
While the update could potentially complicate the process of requesting help in emergencies, it is viewed as a necessary step to prevent misuse of the feature, similar to the modifications made for Android devices.
In addition to improving emergency protocols, Google has been actively refining other safety features on the Pixel Watch. For instance, last summer’s release of the Pixel Watch 3 introduced a “Loss of Pulse” detection capability, utilizing heart rate monitoring and advanced AI algorithms to identify instances when a user’s heart may have stopped. In such events, the watch can autonomously contact emergency services while relaying audio messages to inform 911 operators of the critical situation.
Source
www.androidcentral.com