Apple's iPhone will send location for 911 emergency calls on iOS 12

The latest iOS 12 operating system for iPhones coming this fall will automatically send first responders the phone's location when 911 is dialed.This speeds up dispatch and response time during emergency situations and removes minutes from a call where accurate location needs to be given by a caller.

"Communities rely on 911 centres in an emergency, and we believe they should have the best available technology at their disposal," said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. "When every moment counts, these tools will help first responders reach our customers when they most need assistance."

Click to read more ...

Google looking to improve 911 call location accuracy in the US

Google has set out to make it easier for emergency responders to locate callers who use mobile phones instead of landlines to call in an emergency. Carrier-based location reports or those calls made on mobile phones have been less than accurate when it comes to determining the location. Google is testing out a new system to help get 911 operators faster and more accurate information.

In December and January, Android users based in Texas, Tennessee, and Florida who called 911 had their locations routed to dispatchers via Google’s system. RapidSOS, a company involved in the project, said that 80% of the cases, Google’s location data was more accurate than those provided by the carrier’s. Google’s method was able to show an average location radius of 121 feet, which trumps the 522 feet average from a cell network location. The location data got to the dispatchers quicker as well. Google is looking to expand the system around the US later in the year. The company will be at a 911 industry conference this week to present its findings.

Source: Android Police