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This is probably like the fourth or fifth time issues calling 911 has come up for Pixel phones too. Google simply isn't capable of producing life-critical softw

This is probably like the fourth or fifth time issues calling 911 has come up for Pixel phones too. Google simply isn't capable of producing life-critical software.

hilbert42 4y ago
That's obviously true, after all Google's principal role in life is to make money though advertising not through saving lives. As I've said elsewhere, ultimately it's the responsibly of the regulator in each country to ensure that phones can connect to emergency numbers irrespective of what operating system or apps are installed on them—so that's where the problem ought to rest. That said, it's clear that that view doesn't sit well with a number of commentators here, for within seconds of posting it together with a solution and the reasons for why the comment was voted down sans comment. With attitudes like that about one can expect Google to prevaricate. That leads me to think there's more to this than just a clash of software nuking emergency numbers. If I were the regulator I'd be asking for the source code from Google on threat of future non-approval of Pixel phones to see what nefarious antics Google is up to. (It's clear to me that it's just too coincidental that blocking 911 would happen unless Google is specifically monitoring the number for some other unspecified reason.)
- brookst 4y ago
  I think you’re being unnecessarily hard on Google. When someone dials 911, there is a ton of context data that needs to be collected, analyzed, and added to Google’s profile of the user to ensure the most relevant ads can be served in the future. There’s location data, whether the user is driving, connected Bluetooth accessories, other phones in close proximity. All of this needs cutting edge ML processing so the user model can be updated with e.g. “likely domestic violence victim, recommend self defense courses” to improve the user experience the next time they search for a pie recipe. Given the heavy lift of this advanced algorithmic processing, it’s inevitable that some minor bugs will creep in to ancillary functions like connecting the user’s phone call to emergency services. Even when that happens, it’s still a >95% success for the scenario.
  - EwanG 4y ago
    I hate that I even have to ask, but I presume you just forgot the /s on this...
    - ocdtrekkie 4y ago
      They almost had me, honestly, until the pie recipe bit.
- lostlogin 4y ago
  > As I've said elsewhere, ultimately it's the responsibly of the regulator in each country to ensure that phones can connect to emergency numbers irrespective of what operating system or apps are installed on them—so that's where the problem ought to rest. If you are selling a phone, you have to comply with phone regulations and it’s your responsibility to make it do phone things. Blaming the regulator for Google’s error is a neat idea though.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
PlutoIsAPlanet 4y ago
> Google simply isn't capable of producing life-critical software. I was stuck with a broken-down car at night before and needed to see my location on a map. Google had opted me into some A/B test on Google Maps that broke the entire app and made it unusable, I couldn't find any way to get out of this test. Friends iPhone worked perfectly fine and ended up being used instead. This was probably the biggest factor as to why I dropped Android and got an iPhone, you simply can't trust Google's software quality.
- feet 4y ago
  Are you aware that other map/gps applications exist?

This is probably like the fourth or fifth time issues calling 911 has come up for Pixel phones too. Google simply isn't capable of producing life-critical software.

hilbert42 4y ago

That's obviously true, after all Google's principal role in life is to make money though advertising not through saving lives. As I've said elsewhere, ultimately it's the responsibly of the regulator in each country to ensure that phones can connect to emergency numbers irrespective of what operating system or apps are installed on them—so that's where the problem ought to rest. That said, it's clear that that view doesn't sit well with a number of commentators here, for within seconds of posting it together with a solution and the reasons for why the comment was voted down sans comment. With attitudes like that about one can expect Google to prevaricate. That leads me to think there's more to this than just a clash of software nuking emergency numbers. If I were the regulator I'd be asking for the source code from Google on threat of future non-approval of Pixel phones to see what nefarious antics Google is up to. (It's clear to me that it's just too coincidental that blocking 911 would happen unless Google is specifically monitoring the number for some other unspecified reason.)

brookst 4y ago
I think you’re being unnecessarily hard on Google. When someone dials 911, there is a ton of context data that needs to be collected, analyzed, and added to Google’s profile of the user to ensure the most relevant ads can be served in the future. There’s location data, whether the user is driving, connected Bluetooth accessories, other phones in close proximity. All of this needs cutting edge ML processing so the user model can be updated with e.g. “likely domestic violence victim, recommend self defense courses” to improve the user experience the next time they search for a pie recipe. Given the heavy lift of this advanced algorithmic processing, it’s inevitable that some minor bugs will creep in to ancillary functions like connecting the user’s phone call to emergency services. Even when that happens, it’s still a >95% success for the scenario.
- EwanG 4y ago
  I hate that I even have to ask, but I presume you just forgot the /s on this...
  - ocdtrekkie 4y ago
    They almost had me, honestly, until the pie recipe bit.
lostlogin 4y ago
> As I've said elsewhere, ultimately it's the responsibly of the regulator in each country to ensure that phones can connect to emergency numbers irrespective of what operating system or apps are installed on them—so that's where the problem ought to rest. If you are selling a phone, you have to comply with phone regulations and it’s your responsibility to make it do phone things. Blaming the regulator for Google’s error is a neat idea though.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]

PlutoIsAPlanet 4y ago

> Google simply isn't capable of producing life-critical software. I was stuck with a broken-down car at night before and needed to see my location on a map. Google had opted me into some A/B test on Google Maps that broke the entire app and made it unusable, I couldn't find any way to get out of this test. Friends iPhone worked perfectly fine and ended up being used instead. This was probably the biggest factor as to why I dropped Android and got an iPhone, you simply can't trust Google's software quality.

feet 4y ago
Are you aware that other map/gps applications exist?