Android’s earthquake warning system proved effective in the Philippines yesterday
Last month, Google rolled out the Android Earthquake Alerts System to seven more countries ahead of a global launch over the next year. The Philippines is one of those places with earthquake warnings enabled, and Android users yesterday benefited from such a heads-up.
According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Tingloy, Philippines yesterday in the early morning hours. Reuters reported how shaking “lasted nearly a minute” and awoke some.
Others were made aware of the approaching earthquake a few seconds before shaking started by the blaring of their Android phones. The success of the system was captured by a thread on Reddit today and many reports on Twitter shortly after the event.
Google built the system to create the “world’s largest earthquake detection network” using the technology and sensors that are already widely out there. It comes as establishing a traditional network of ground seismometers (like in California and the US West Coast) is not always feasible. If such systems are in place, Android does show those government-provided warnings.
But kudos to android/google's notif about the earthquake. It was accurate as hell! After receiving that notif, seconds after lumindol nga. Huhsush keep safe everyone!
