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Apple is reportedly working on a new “crash detection” feature for the iPhone,
The feature, which is said to rely on the iPhone’s already existing accelerometer and other internal components that can detect sudden movement, is reportedly also coming to the Apple Watch and will be released next year. However, the Journal did note that the timing isn’t set in stone, and that crash detection may end up never even coming to the iPhone or Apple Watch at all.
We reached out to Apple in an attempt to confirm the Wall Street Journal‘s reporting, but received no immediate response.
Notably, a smartphone feature that detects an automobile crash and automatically calls for help is something that already exists. In June,
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“The app is designed to use smartphone sensors to detect crashes and alert Emergency-Certified Advisors,” explains General Motors on the OnStar Guardian website. “They can call you and can contact First Responders, providing them with your location.”
In other words, Apple seems to poised to offer a (presumably) free service that, up until this point, users would need to pay for.
Fingers crossed we’ll never actually need to use it.