Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by kalleboo 4385 days ago
> BTW, people in Japan get an instant smartphone warning when there's an earthquake.

To be specific, BEFORE there's an earthquake. Otherwise it wouldn't be very useful :) And it's not just smartphones, this system is in place on dumbphones well (using the GSM Cell Broadcast feature).

Americans get an instant smartphone warning when a child has been kidnapped http://www.imore.com/amber-alerts-your-iphone-what-they-are-...
2 comments
bodhi 4385 days ago
> To be specific, BEFORE there's an earthquake. Otherwise it wouldn't be very useful :)

To be even more specific, after the earthquake has been detected, but hopefully before the seismic waves reach their location. Otherwise it would be magic ;)

link
mnw21cam 4385 days ago
> To be specific, BEFORE there's an earthquake.

Yes, it takes a little while for seismic waves to travel from the epicentre to locations a fair distance away. The high speed trains are programmed to start braking as soon as an alert is heard - it's usually enough to shed 100mph or so off the speed before getting in trouble.

link