Google has a bunch of programs that make life a little easier. Now it wants to take part in ensuring your safety, because it’s launched “SOS alerts” in Maps and Search to help users during a crisis.
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The search engine site made the announcement this week, revealing that both apps will be providing alerts when a natural disaster or other catastrophe hits the area.
The notifications will appear at the very top of the search results and in Maps when a user looks for news about a particular incident. Both apps will give an overview of the event along with maps, news articles, websites, contacts and any other relevant info.
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And in Maps, you will get real-time updates about road closures and transit schedules. Google will also send you a message if you’re in a location where a disaster strikes.
To create the service, Google partnered with a variety of organizations including the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
It will be available on desktops and mobile apps on both iOS and Androids.
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