Srinagar, July 19 -- Android smartphones are quietly turning into life-saving tools. Scientists now confirm that Google's Android Earthquake Alert (AEA) system, launched in 2020, can accurately detect earthquakes before they strike-without needing traditional seismic stations.

Initially introduced for users in earthquake-prone areas, the AEA system leverages the built-in accelerometers in Android devices to sense tremors. When multiple devices detect ground movement, they collectively send data to Google's servers, which then determine whether an earthquake is underway. If confirmed, alerts are pushed out in real time to nearby users-sometimes even before the shaking starts.

According to a recent study published in the journal Science, ...