Android’s Driving Mode is Finally Smart Enough to Detect Passengers

We all know you’re not supposed to use your phone while you’re driving. This is why companies like Google have introduced features like Driving Mode for Android. It works by detecting if you’re driving, after which the feature activates and alerts from your phone are suppressed. Unfortunately, recently there was a bug for Driving Mode on Android that would activate it for passengers too, but luckily, Google has fixed it.

Google fixes annoying Driving Mode on Android

According to a report from Android Authority, Google has fixed Driving Mode for Android in version 26.05.32 of Google Play Services. Now you can choose whether Driving Mode activates when connected to your car’s Bluetooth or when motion is detected. For some, the Bluetooth option might be the better trigger since it actually indicates you’re in your own car rather than just moving around. For others, especially those who do most of the driving, motion detection mode might be preferable.

That being said, the Android Authority does note that Samsung takes the feature even further. On Samsung devices, it lets users restrict activation to Android Auto connections only. This could be more useful for vehicles where multiple people pair their phones.

As for passengers, it also appears that Google is developing a commute mode. This is aimed at users to help reduce motion sickness. The fix is available now if you update Google Play Services to the latest version.

What really happened?

For those unfamiliar with the feature, the issue started when the Bluetooth-only activation option disappeared for many users. This meant that motion detection was the default trigger for Driving Mode. It also meant that anyone in a moving vehicle would have their phone silenced. 

Passengers in rideshares, on buses, or even on trains found themselves missing important calls and messages despite not being behind the wheel. However, we are not talking about just some small inconvenience—it’s bigger than that. When a supposed safety feature starts blocking notifications for people who aren’t driving, they’re more likely to turn it off completely. 

Ultimately, the issue could lead to users not turning on the feature in the first place. We’re not saying that this will lead to a ton of dangerous driving. However, it feels like it defeats the point of having a safety feature in the first place.

The post Android’s Driving Mode is Finally Smart Enough to Detect Passengers appeared first on Android Headlines.

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