Two of the tech industry’s biggest players are working together to fight the coronavirus, announcing a new set of tools that could come to a majority of smartphones around the world.
The new technology, outlined in white papers published by Apple and Google on Friday and further discussed in a call with reporters Monday, relies on Bluetooth wireless radio technology to help phones communicate with one another, ultimately warning users about people they’ve come in contact with who are infected with the coronavirus.
Apple and Google have been working on the project for two and a half weeks so far, and plan to initially release these tools in May so apps from public health authorities can use the contact tracing technology. Then in coming months, the companies plan to build them directly into iOS and Android software to help more people tap into them.
“Through close cooperation and collaboration with developers, governments, and public health providers, we hope to harness the power of technology to help countries around the world slow the spread of COVID‑19 and accelerate the return of everyday life,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Friday touted the project on Twitter, saying the two companies “are committed to working together on these efforts.” Apple CEO Tim Cook added in his own tweet that the new initiative “respects transparency and consent.”
Apple and Google’s efforts are just the latest by tech giants to help mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus. The pandemic has forced nearly all Americans to shelter in place to help slow the virus’ spread and reduce the strain on hospitals.
Apple and Google partner on COVID-19 contact tracing technology
Apple and Google announce a joint effort to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus, with user privacy central to the design.
Apple and Google partner on COVID-19 contact tracing technology
A joint effort to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus.
Big tech companies in particular have been working on initiatives around the coronavirus since it struck. Verily, the life sciences arm of Google parent company Alphabet, last month launched a website that gives people in California information about virus testing. The website, developed in partnership with the White House, lets people fill in symptoms and complete an online screener.
Google also last month said it’s committing more than $800 million to help small businesses and crisis responders dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Source : cnet