Home
News
You are here

Google Pixel 4 feature could save your life

2comments

By Alan Friedman

Updated: Oct 16, 2019, 7:05 PM

Google Pixel 4 feature could save your life

A couple of weeks ago, we told you that a new feature for the Pixel 4 series had leaked. Called Car Crash Detection, this would be part of a new app called "Personal Safety" that was accidentally listed and then removed from the Google Play Store. Yesterday, Google made the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL official. And on Tuesday, Google's official support page confirmed that car crash detection is available on the new Pixel models. Unfortunately, it does appear that this potentially life-saving feature will be offered only on the Pixel 4 family.

The Pixel 4 will determine whether a car crash has occurred by using motion sensors, and listening for specific sounds; the location of the phone is also used. This requires permissions for location, physical activity, and the microphone (more on this below). The feature will not work when the handset is in Airplane mode or if the Battery Saver is enabled.

If car crash detection is turned on and the Pixel 4 determines that there has been a car crash, the phone will vibrate and ring loudly. It will ask (both through the speaker and on the screen) whether the user needs help. The user will have 60 seconds to respond; saying "Emergency" or tapping on the emergency button twice will call emergency services. But tapping on "I am ok" or saying "Cancel" will stop the call from being placed. If the user doesn't respond, the speakerphone will automatically be turned on, the device will call emergency services and share the location of the accident.

Car Crash Detection is available only in the U.S. and only on Pixel 4 devices

Google does point out that Car Crash Detection doesn't work with all accidents. High impact crashes could result in the phone skipping steps and making a call to emergency services immediately. In addition, the feature might not work in areas where wireless connectivity isn't reliable. Right now, Car Crash Detection is available only in the U.S. and only in English.

Once a SIM has been added to the Pixel 4, the user can set up Car Crash Detection by opening the Personal Safety app. Once the app is open, he or she should go to Settings and under Driving, tap on Car crash detection. Users should also allow the phone to share their location "all the time" and allow the microphone and physical activity to be shared.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

Read the latest from Alan Friedman