Google is said to be working on a new feature for Android – Connected Flight – that will allow users to keep their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections operational when traveling on an airplane, while still preventing them from making or receiving calls or text messages, and according to a patent (via Wipo) disclosed by the company, the feature will work on phones, tablets and laptops.
How the feature will work
The feature will be able to detect whether the user is on an aircraft using a variety of methods, including low pressure, acceleration/speed, cabin sounds, ultrasonic signal, GPS signal, cellular ID and Wi-Fi signal.
It then automatically turns on Connected Flight mode on the phone and returns to standard mode once it detects that the user has landed, however, if you notice that the battery is low or the network quality is poor, it may disconnect from the network.
Airplane mode is available on smartphones and other laptops to suspend RF signaling, when activated, airplane mode disables cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth network transmission once, and the report also states that pressure changes, ultrasonic signals, airplane Wi-Fi signal and travel booking activity will serve as potential triggers.
The patent also reads that the process occurs “in response to determining that the sensor has detected information indicating that the mobile computing device is on board”, and in Connected Flight mode, users will still be able to use apps that require Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, such as streaming music or using the messaging app, however, they will not be able to make or receive calls or text messages.
This feature is still under development, so it is not clear when it will be released, however, it may be a useful way to stay in touch on flights in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, as well as Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that govern all aviation activities in the United States, FARs consist of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
