Why Apple Series 8’s ‘Orange Button’ is the Best thing that Happened?

Apple introduced Crash Detection, a new safety feature that uses sensors to identify accidents!

Among the many features of the Apple Watch Ultra is an orange button on the left side called the Action Button, but what purpose does it serve? The new Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's most capable smartwatch yet. Apple has gone all out with the new watch, which is made from premium materials, has a bigger, brighter display, and boasts double the battery life when compared to other Apple Watch models.

Apple introduced Crash Detection, new health, and safety feature that uses sensors and microphones to identify accidents, alongside iPhone and Apple Watch upgrades. The additions came at the company's 'Far Out' event, which was centered around the iPhone 14 and the Apple Watch lineup. As was expected in the weeks leading up to the annual keynote, Apple previewed the Apple Watch Ultra, a fitness smartwatch targeted at extreme athletes. But many of the features discussed at the event are not limited to the highest-end Apple Watch. Some key features are coming to smartwatches as part of the upcoming watchOS 9 update and ship with the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE.

With the Apple Watch Ultra, it seems pretty clear that Apple is targeting a very specific audience. The keynote announcement, marketing materials, and even the packaging all make clear this is a serious product designed for people who are into serious adventures. Divers, mountaineers, triathletes, ultra-marathoners.

What Does the Orange Action Button do?

Coated in a color called 'International Orange,' the Action Button sits on the left side of the Watch Ultra's case, in between the speakers and the siren. The pill-shaped button has a groove and is customizable which means it can perform a variety of functions depending on how the user configures it. For starters, pressing and holding the button will activate the siren which plays an 86-decibel sound that can be heard from up to 600 feet (180 meters) away. This sound from the siren makes it easier to locate a user during an emergency. Apple also states that pushing the Action Button will begin a workout.

To make Crash Detection possible, Apple created an algorithm that intakes data from both old and new input methods on the Apple Watch. It tested crashes at professional labs and studied the standard data points found in car accidents. Apple simulated various types of accidents, including head-on, rear-end, side-impact, and rollovers, to develop the algorithm that powers Crash Detection. An all-new collection of motion sensors, notably a better gyroscope and accelerometer, monitor data when the Apple Watch is worn in a vehicle in motion. This data is complemented by GPS data that detects speed changes and microphones that look for sounds commonly heard in severe crashes.

These two implementations of Crash Detection do not work in isolation. Instead, they work together and take the best action based on the strengths and weaknesses of each device. For example, an Apple Watch will notify the user when it detects a crash on the device since it is likely to be closest to the driver or passenger. The person will then have ten seconds to cancel the Emergency SOS call. But when a call is initiated, it originates from the iPhone since it is more likely to have a better cellular connection. Crash Detection on iPhone and Apple Watch is a feature that might provide additional peace of mind when driving or traveling.