Google looking to improve 911 call location accuracy in the US

Google has set out to make it easier for emergency responders to locate callers who use mobile phones instead of landlines to call in an emergency. Carrier-based location reports or those calls made on mobile phones have been less than accurate when it comes to determining the location. Google is testing out a new system to help get 911 operators faster and more accurate information.

In December and January, Android users based in Texas, Tennessee, and Florida who called 911 had their locations routed to dispatchers via Google’s system. RapidSOS, a company involved in the project, said that 80% of the cases, Google’s location data was more accurate than those provided by the carrier’s. Google’s method was able to show an average location radius of 121 feet, which trumps the 522 feet average from a cell network location. The location data got to the dispatchers quicker as well. Google is looking to expand the system around the US later in the year. The company will be at a 911 industry conference this week to present its findings.

Source: Android Police

Pixel owners get behind the scenes look at 'Isle of Dogs' movie in VR

If you’re a Google Pixel owner (either generation) and are a fan of Wes Anderson, you’ll want to hear about this latest news from the company. Owners of these Google-branded devices get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes footage of the stop-motion film Isle of Dogs. The film is set in Japan and follows around a boy who goes on an epic adventure to find his dog.

The movie itself comes out at the end of March but for now Google Pixel owners just need to hop onto the Google Spotlight Stories app to access 360-degree virtual reality experience of the film. It’s advisable to use a Daydream View headset to get the full experience. On March 2, Isle of Dogs Behind the Scenes in VR will be available in VR, 360, and 2D via YouTube VR and Fox Searchlight YouTube app as well as any platform that supports YouTube VR app.

Source: Android Authority

Lego appeals to ‘Iron Man’ fans with Hulkbuster buildable set

Fans of Iron Man are in for a treat. Lego just unveiled at the New York Toy Fair a buildable set based on the Hulkbuster suit we’ve seen in 2015 movie Avengers: Age of Ultron. The Lego Marvel Super Heroes The Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition comes with 1,363 pieces, a punching jackhammer arm, a special Iron Man Mark 43 minifigure, a Lego light brick for its chest, and a platform for the figure to be placed on. Some of the special features for the Hulkbuster include a flip-up head, rotating torso, 12 glow-in-the-dark elements, and posable joints. It measures just over 9 inches high, 3 inches long, and 8 inches wide. This Lego set is going on sale in the US on March 3^rd and will cost US$120 (around CA$150).

Source: CNET

Essential Phone set to come in new, limited edition colours

If you’ve been holding off on getting the Essential Phone because of its looks, you might reconsider with the new limited edition colour schemes the company is planning to launch this week. Essential kicked it off on February 15^th with the launch of the Ocean Depths colour, which features a striking teal back with gold edging surrounding the phone and its fingerprint sensor. Coming up on February 20^th and going on sale at 12:00 PST over at Essential.com is the Stellar Gray colour. It features a matte gray back that gives the phone a smooth feel but possibly better grip, the sides are adorned with a lighter shade of gray.

Coming on the 22^nd is the new Copper Black variant of the Essential Phone. It might look like the traditional “black on black” colour scheme but Essential switches this up by adding a shiny copper line along the edges. A fourth variant was unveiled the day after Ocean Depths model was announced. The Halo Gray version is unlike its brothers as it’s the only one to come with Amazon’s Alexa out of the box. Essential made the announcement on Twitter saying the phone is available for pre-order from Amazon for US$449.99. The other three limited edition colours will be available for $599 and Essential emphasizes these are limited edition so if you’re interested in owning one, you might want to hop on Essential’s site as soon as possible.

Source: Android Authority