This Apple Update Could Prove To Be A True Lifesaver
With about 80 percent of 911 calls made from mobile devices, it's sometimes difficult for emergency responders to pinpoint the location of those callers.
On Monday, Apple unveiled plans to work with 911 centers to automatically share the exact locations of iPhone users that need to call in an emergency.
Under a collaboration with startup company RapidSOS, Apple's current Hybridized Emergency Location system will integrate with 911 centers' existing software. Apple's system uses technology that estimates a phone's location with data from cell towers, GPS and Wi-Fi access points.
The update is expected to roll out later this year as part of iOS 12, the next version of Apple's mobile operating system. Google is testing a similar system for Android-based phones.
Privacy concerns have been at the center of this sort of location sharing in the past. However, Apple said that with the new feature, "user data cannot be used for any non-emergency purpose and only the responding 911 center will have access to the user's location during an emergency call."
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:32AM (1 child)
Compared to this, I prefer the Google approach where the data they collect and monitor in real-time is more in-your-face, yes we have it, yes we use it, you can use it too, oh and if you prefer there are some options to reduce how much we (openly) record. Assurances that data will only be used for certain purposes are worse than worthless.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:41AM
Google made it harder to call an Uber. And many smart people take Uber to the hospital. Big money saver, much cheaper than ambulance!!!!
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:57AM (4 children)
I thought that was the whole purpose of 911 and GPS phones. Doesn't Android phones do this by default?
If I dial 911, I may be in really big trouble, and not be able to say a word.
(Score: 3, Informative) by takyon on Tuesday June 19 2018, @12:00PM (2 children)
The Sorry State of E911 Services. [soylentnews.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 4, Informative) by frojack on Tuesday June 19 2018, @02:22PM (1 child)
So the GP was correct, Android automatically turns on the GPS and makes GPS location available to 911 call centers.
Another example of Apple late to the party, inventing the perfectly obvious, and calling it new. There is nothing new here. It's been the law of the land for decades, and Android does this automatically.
The fact that some call centers haven't implemented what they were mandated to implement is merely another failure of government.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 1) by Kalas on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:38PM
Well that's a relief to know, because I just assumed all modern GPS-capable phones would push out my location to the dispatcher when calling. I'm all for privacy but calling 911 is the one time I absolutely want the person I'm speaking with to know where I'm at, and share that info as needed.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 19 2018, @02:15PM
In Australia if you don't speak they hang up.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:57AM (2 children)
... that MyBudgetSexDolls.com is not in fact an emergency responder.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:59AM
That's myBudgetCourierDeliverySexDolls.com
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 19 2018, @12:39PM
My Budget's Ex-Dolls?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday June 19 2018, @02:59PM (4 children)
We didn't have cell phones, of course. We didn't have 911. We didn't even have EMT's. At age three or four, I escaped my mother, and spent an entire afternoon, hidden in a meadow, playing with toads, snakes, snails. At age 6, I decided to go home with a friend, and rode his bus instead of my own. It took a couple hours for the adults to sort that out, but I made a lifelong friend of not only my classmate, but his baby sister, as well as his parents.
I can't count the days I spent, out and about, on my bicycle as a preteen, then as a teen. That old thing, parent asks, "Where are you going?", teen responds, "Nowhere". There is no telling all the nowheres that I got to. And - NO ONE could keep track of me.
Today? Dammit, people, I just can't relate. You've really got to have a cell phone that can tell the cops your location within a meter or so? Holy shit.
If ever there is an electro-magnetic pulse that wipes out the phone systems, I'm sure that a lot of you will just die, out of shock.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Gaaark on Tuesday June 19 2018, @03:19PM (3 children)
"He's at 4th and Bimmer.....5th and Bimmer....6th and Bimmer..."
Headline news: man dies on bus after apping 911...."
Yeah, our only lifelines were our friends: "You broke your leg? I'll run, get help."
"Your head smashed open?....nice knowing you buddy."
"That poisonous snake bit your penis? BYEEE!"
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday June 19 2018, @03:33PM
ROFLMAO - that damned snake is famous, isn't it?
(Score: 2) by crafoo on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:10PM (1 child)
LOL you still believe in the police system and first responders! How adorable. Got news. You bust your head open and you still will bleed out. Cops and EMTs are too busy responding to 911's that have the possibility of producing a conviction.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday June 20 2018, @12:26AM
You live in the good ol' USA USA USA, don't you!?
In Canada, you get a good response (usually, lol)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---