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Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

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Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#21
When my OnePlus 8T lags, I sometimes press the power button a few times, because I'm impatient and I'm trying to get the screen to turn on.

Pressing the power button 5 times dials the emergency service number by default, so I've almost called emergency services a few times already. I usually manage to cancel it before it dials, but wow.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#22
post #15

They are so lucky. My Samsung Phone already called 911 several times, while I had it in my pocket. And every time I have to explain why. I guess I'll get a Pixel next time.

If it's possible the power button is getting bumped repeatedly in your pocket. You could search your Android settings, and make sure "Emergency SOS" is turned off.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#23
post #15

They are so lucky. My Samsung Phone already called 911 several times, while I had it in my pocket. And every time I have to explain why. I guess I'll get a Pixel next time.

It seems absolutely insane to me not to immediately get a new phone the first time that happens.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#24
post #16
post #15

They are so lucky. My Samsung Phone already called 911 several times, while I had it in my pocket. And every time I have to explain why. I guess I'll get a Pixel next time.

Do explain why! Is there a shortcut on the lock screen that you can't turn off or how? Two or my four smartphones have been Samsungs and, while I could call 112 on purpose, I don't know what might cause pocket dialing. Your comment about this being a feature rather than a bug on Pixels is funny though =)

No, I can't turn it off and it was always from a locked screen, I think it's a legal requirement in the EU. I now keep my phone always with the screen turned away from my leg in my pocket and that seems to prevent it well enough, even though I still often get to almost calling 911 when I take it out of my pocket with my hand.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#25
post #9

It shouldn't be allowed to be sold and Google should be facing fines for each day the functionality is missing, assuming it is a software problem.

[flagged]

Being able to call 911 is an essential part of a phone. To the point that Apple (and I'm assuming Google) both allow calling emergency services while the phone is locked.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#26
post #9

It shouldn't be allowed to be sold and Google should be facing fines for each day the functionality is missing, assuming it is a software problem.

[flagged]

Omnipresent use of 911 has been arguably the most impactful killer app since cell phones first emerged over 40 years ago. It has saved countless lives. In the days of not having a landline this is completely unacceptable.

To have issues utilizing 911 from a cellular device in 2023 is exactly the kind of thing regulators should make painful for device manufacturers who can’t even get this right.

What’s even more puzzling is the brand and reputational damage when stories emerge in the press of people dying because their $500 (or more) device couldn’t do something a free phone without a SIM card can do.

You’d think they’d take this seriously if for no other reason other than self interest.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#27
post #15

They are so lucky. My Samsung Phone already called 911 several times, while I had it in my pocket. And every time I have to explain why. I guess I'll get a Pixel next time.

It seems absolutely insane to me not to immediately get a new phone the first time that happens.

It is "absolutely insane" that people don't spend $500-$1K on a new phone the "first time that happens?"

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#28

My experience has been Pixel phones suck for calls in general. I know of 3 people with Pixel 3As that intermittently can’t receive calls. Often it takes 2-3 calls to these people in order to get 1 to go through. Setting the phones to prefer 4G has so far fixed the problem most reliably but the whole calling stack on pixel phones needs some work IMO.

This is one thing I miss about the old Windows Phones (Nokia/Metro interface sucked, but damn) because it was a phone first, computer second. Most phones these days are computers (or cameras) first, phones last.

For example, the WP would progressively disable things to keep the phone on for as long as possible. At 2am, after a night out, I'd usually be the only one who had a working phone to call a cab (pre-uber days) -- but that was the last feature to stop working before it died. IIRC, you could disable this functionality, but I don't know why you would want to.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#29
post #24
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do explain why! Is there a shortcut on the lock screen that you can't turn off or how? Two or my four smartphones have been Samsungs and, while I could call 112 on purpose, I don't know what might cause pocket dialing. Your comment about this being a feature rather than a bug on Pixels is funny though =)

No, I can't turn it off and it was always from a locked screen, I think it's a legal requirement in the EU. I now keep my phone always with the screen turned away from my leg in my pocket and that seems to prevent it well enough, even though I still often get to almost calling 911 when I take it out of my pocket with my hand.

> I can't turn it off and it was always from a locked screen, I think it's a legal requirement

But my question was: what is the it that your phone has? I don't have such a button on my lock screen. There's a camera and a flashlight shortcut (too few shortcuts for my liking but better than bare android with zero shortcuts)

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#30
post #9

It shouldn't be allowed to be sold and Google should be facing fines for each day the functionality is missing, assuming it is a software problem.

[flagged]

We recall baby products after they kill just a few babies. Why not phones that can’t call 911? It’s just as likely to kill people.
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