Even though smartphones have a considerable list of sensors, Google decided to add one to the Pixel 8 Pro last year. temperature sensor: We had the opportunity to test it and were surprised by its accuracy.

Now, with their newly announced successors (there are two ‘Pro’ models this year), the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, they include it again. But if we only wanted to use that sensor, it would be prohibitively expensive, and so some researchers have found a way to do it. measure body temperature by any phone using an alternative method.

‘FeverPhone’ promises to take your temperature without needing a thermometer

If you own a Pixel 8 Pro, you’re probably familiar with the integrated temperature sensor: Like the refreshed Pixel 9 Pro, it’s located on the back and can measure temperature. Temperature of objects and people in a very curious process.

The sensor is once again present in Google mobiles; this is a striking decision because it is not one of the basic features and much less demanding for a smartphone. However, some researchers considered this sensor unnecessary and managed to develop it. an application to measure temperature.

Thus, all smartphones meet the technical requirements for calculating users’ body temperature. The name of the application was given “Fire Phone”and although it has not been made public, it is more than adequately prepared for its purpose.

This is how accurate the Pixel 8 Pro’s built-in thermometer was during our tests. Image by Iván Linares for Xataka Android

In fact, researchers claim to have conducted tests in laboratories for months, and then on patients who presented to emergency health centers with fever symptoms. Thus, this task is undertaken using the internal temperature sensors integrated into our mobile phones (which calculate the temperature of their components).

What’s the process? It’s not exactly quick: It’s just a matter of pressing your forehead against the touchscreen for a few seconds. 90 secondsAfter a minute and a half, our body temperature is transferred to our mobile phone and the application measures the temperature change.

The degree of reliability is quite high: Average deviation of 0.2 degreesis the same as that of a standard clinical thermometer. This level was achieved after intensive training on the calculations the app performs to detect fever.

As of today, it is still in the development phase and the application in question has not been released for use. Although expectations are high, we must continue to wait to try it. Of course, despite its high reliability, it can never be considered a medical device like our smartwatch.

via | Xataka Mobile, GoogleWatchBlog

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