Apple launches tool to track people movement to curb virus spread
REUTERS: Apple Inc on Tuesday said it would release data that could help inform public health authorities on whether people are driving less during lockdown orders to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
The data is gathered by counting the number routing requests from Apple Maps, which is installed on all iPhones, and comparing it to past usage to detect changes in the volume of people driving, walking or taking public transit around the world, Apple said.The information is being updated daily and compared to a date in mid-January, before most U.S. lockdown measures were in place, Apple said.
The data would be aggregated so that the requests from individual users would not be shown, and it does not track individual users or their locations, the company said. The information, available on a public website https://www.apple.com/covid19/mobility, will show changes for major cities and 63 countries or regions, Apple said.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, requests for driving directions as of April 12 were down 70per cent versus Jan. 13, and requests for transit directions plunged 84per cent, the data showed. In New York City, driving direction requests were down 69per cent and transit requests were down 89per cent.Apple does not provide the absolute number of requests or a specific number of people moving, instead expressing the data as a percentage of requests compared its mid-January baseline.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Apple shipped 2.5 million iPhones in China in March following virus slump: government dataApple Inc shipped roughly 2.5 million iPhones in China in March, a slight rebound after one of its worst months in the country ever, according to ...
Read more »
Apple shipped 2.5 million iPhones in China in March following virus slump: Government dataApple Inc shipped roughly 2.5 million iPhones in China in March, a slight rebound after one of its worst months in the country ever, according to ...
Read more »
Apple responds to US senators questioning privacy of Covid-19 toolsSAN FRANCISCO (BLOOMBERG) - Apple Inc responded to Democratic Senators who sent a letter to Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook with questions related to the privacy of the iPhone maker's Covid-19 screening tools.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Apple plans iPad-like design for next iPhone, smaller HomePodThis year’s successors to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be joined by two lower-end models to replace the iPhone 11, according to people familiar with the plans. YahooFinance
Read more »
Coronavirus: Moscow launches digital travel permits under lockdownMOSCOW (AFP) - Moscow authorities are launching a digital permit system to control people's movements after warning the coronavirus outbreak has put a huge strain on hospitals.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Spain loosens coronavirus lockdown as overnight death toll fallsSome businesses that cannot operate remotely were allowed to reopen, sparking criticism from some regional leaders who fear a resurgence of the outbreak.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »