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Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

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Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#151

Post by mariusor »

wnevets wrote: post #138
Bhilai wrote: post #122

Not sure about negative comments here. You dont like it, dont use the feature! Its not like Google is forcing you to use this. I bet people will celebrate this feature when Apple rolls around implementing it two years from now. I for one, look forward to using this feature on my Pixel as I live in a city where drivers are very aggressive and in general have a disregard for following the rules. I have been in an accid…

> I bet people will celebrate this feature when Apple rolls around implementing it two years from now. Not only will it be celebrated but people will claim its revolutionary

You're saying that as if it's the same people doing both. HN has a large enough number of users for both to happen and it not being hypocrisy.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#152

Post by oh_sigh »

mbrameld wrote: post #149
oh_sigh wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The simple answer is that backup cameras are required by regulation for safety, whereas dashcams don't increase safety.

> whereas dashcams don't increase safety I'd like to see your source for that claim!

Well, maybe the observer effect comes into play, but they don't directly, actively impact safety in the manner that backup cameras do.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#153

Post by wnevets »

mariusor wrote: post #151
wnevets wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I bet people will celebrate this feature when Apple rolls around implementing it two years from now. Not only will it be celebrated but people will claim its revolutionary

You're saying that as if it's the same people doing both. HN has a large enough number of users for both to happen and it not being hypocrisy.

> HN has a large enough number of users for both to happen and it not being hypocrisy.

Why would that matter in this hypothetical scenario? Releasing a feature two years after someone else has would not be revolutionary regardless of which phone someone uses.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#154

Post by HeavyFeather »

leviathant wrote: post #147
seanalltogether wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As soon as car manufacturers implement dash cams, government will regulate it to require that it records the speed of the car as well, which I think owners will hate and make them want to avoid those models of cars. I think it's gonna end up as damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

Without government influence, auto manufacturers already have "black boxes" that record speed and other telemetry. I'm very conscious of the erosion of privacy, but I'm a 40-something computer nerd. People actively, deliberately record themselves doing crimes of all stripes and post it to public social networks. In the states, there's rampant violation of vehicle-related laws and minimal enforcement (fake temporary t…

> passively enforce speeding by using toll booth data

Some EU countries do that on tollways but don't keep them always-on because they generate too many tickets to handle.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#155

Post by ralfcheung »

wodenokoto wrote: post #67
cbolton wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Presumably the device will do the recording with the screen turned off, so it will generate little heat internally. So I think placing most of the device behind something to shield it from sunlight should be enough to avoid heat issues. Though I agree with others here that a cheap specialized dashcam device is much better.

I’d want to use the screen for navigation and the camera for Dashcam at the same time

not sure if you're using iOS, but I already made one for iPhone.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dashmap/id1638360259

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#156

Post by cwkoss »

paranoidrobot wrote: post #12

FTA: > We also wonder about how Personal Safety will be able to do this type of always-on recording without generating excess heat, especially if your phone needs to be mounted in a position that’s likely to see a lot of direct sunlight. That's what I immediately thought of. I can't see this working too well unless they solve the overheating issues. I had my Google Pixel 7 Pro shut down due to overheating, on a reaso…

Car phone mount with a heat sink on the back could help a good bit.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#157

Post by franga2000 »

waboremo wrote: post #101
bagacrap wrote: post #96

Why don't cars come with these by default yet? I have two backup cameras on a 7 year old entry level Honda but no integrated dashcam.

Legal issues. Dash cams aren't allowed universally, and even when they are they tend to have restrictions (how it's mounted, how footage is handled, etc). They've just decided dealing with this pain point is not worth the purchase conversions since users can just add one themselves. There are some brands that have them, usually as an additional package depending on where you are. Like Toyota's Genuine Dash in Canada,…

All you need is a toggle in the settings that is off by default. They also already deal with regional law differences regarding speed camera warnings, so it isn't an insane idea for them to maintain a list of countries where the feature is blocked (although that's not the solution I would prefer)

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#158

Post by michaelmior »

cpcat wrote: post #85
paranoidrobot wrote: post #12

FTA: > We also wonder about how Personal Safety will be able to do this type of always-on recording without generating excess heat, especially if your phone needs to be mounted in a position that’s likely to see a lot of direct sunlight. That's what I immediately thought of. I can't see this working too well unless they solve the overheating issues. I had my Google Pixel 7 Pro shut down due to overheating, on a reaso…

There are special phone cases/holders designed for that. I'm pretty sure Google will sell those too. Not to mention this might be a camera recording the driver-distraction and not the road. So it doesn't have to be in the sun. Or even for passengers in a driverless car

> this might be a camera recording the driver-distraction

I'm not sure why you would want to use your phone to record yourself while driving to see if you're distracted.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#159

Post by michaelmior »

cbolton wrote: post #62
paranoidrobot wrote: post #12

FTA: > We also wonder about how Personal Safety will be able to do this type of always-on recording without generating excess heat, especially if your phone needs to be mounted in a position that’s likely to see a lot of direct sunlight. That's what I immediately thought of. I can't see this working too well unless they solve the overheating issues. I had my Google Pixel 7 Pro shut down due to overheating, on a reaso…

Presumably the device will do the recording with the screen turned off, so it will generate little heat internally. So I think placing most of the device behind something to shield it from sunlight should be enough to avoid heat issues. Though I agree with others here that a cheap specialized dashcam device is much better.

I always have my phone screen off while driving since it's hooked up via Android Auto, but I've had my phone shut off many times on warmer days. I'm not sure how I could reasonably shield it from sunlight and use it as a dash cam at the same time.

Re: Google will soon let Pixel phones double as dashcams

#160

Post by factormeta »

leetcrew wrote: post #115
judge2020 wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is surveillance a requirement? Local recordings would have virtually no downsides unless the intention is to evade responsibility for traffic collisions.

I do actually have a dashcam built into my personal vehicle. I have mixed feelings about it, but overall I think the benefits outweigh the risks. that said, the risks are not to be taken lightly. even if the recording is only stored locally, it can be seized by authorities or subpoenaed later. you can't guarantee it will only be used to settle minor traffic disputes. like I said, I'm (mostly) happy to make that decis…

>but having the government require people to collect evidence against themselves is a hard no from me.

Not an expert on US constitution, but Isn't that a violation?

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