Remember a couple of years ago when the iPhone’s crash detection was getting triggered on roller coasters? False alarms were somewhat common back in 2022 and still appear to happen to this day. They are an unintended consequence of the convenience we gain from responsive crash detection. And it would appear that smartwatches are suffering similarly to smartphones.
The Guardian recently revealed that attendees at the Download Festival in 2022 flooded emergency services with hundreds of calls triggered by crash detection, all thanks to some rather active mosh pits. This year, the festival recommends that smartwatch owners turn on airplane mode to avoid the curfuffle.
You could always leave the smartwatch at home if you plan on slam dancing
Or just turn off crash detection before entering the pit
Modern conveniences solve plenty of problems, but sometimes they cause problems too, and crash detection is one to consider if your summer is going to be packed with concerts and moshing. Airplane mode is a solid option to avoid any issues, and so is turning off crash detection. Or you could simply leave the smartwatch at home; nobody wants to catch a smartwatch in the face when thrashing about to some hardcore tuneage.
While The Guardian didn’t mention which brands ran afoul of crash detection at Download Festival, the fact that a preventative measure is being taken this year shows the amount of confidence the “UK’s premier rock festival” has in the technology.
Disconnecting from our smartwatches from time to time is probably good advice for anyone, but especially for those who are going to be incredibly active this summer, whether hitting the theme parks and riding some roller coasters or rocking out in the mosh pits of festivals and concerts. Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to be constantly connected; maybe we all should unplug a little more and tune in to what’s in front of us.
