Common enemies, unexpected alliances: and this between Cupertino and Mountain View is truly epochal.
For a long time bitter technological rivals, the giants Apple and Google are officially collaborating to develop a coronavirus tracking app. The Apple Google team application will tell if you have recently been exposed to someone who tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The idea is to leverage the vast market reach of the two mega-companies to track the spread of the coronavirus. The app focuses on the idea of "contact tracing", essentially keeping track of both who has the virus and who may have already spread it.
How the Apple Google team app works
Bluetooth technology allows devices to measure proximity to other devices.
As you know, the coronavirus it can be transmitted at a short distance between those who are already infected and a healthy person. Apps that use this technology may indicate if a person has been in close contact with someone who previously self-registered as positive for the COVID-19 test.
According to a press release, both companies are planning to release procedures in May that will allow the app to run on iOS and Android platforms and mobile devices for Apple and Google respectively.
Public health authority apps will use the software to start collecting data and potentially let users know if they are at risk.
A real "Bluetooth based contact tracking platform" it will eventually be released "in the coming months," according to a statement.
Watch out for privacy
To keep those who use the app anonymous, the Google and Apple team says the information submitted will be designed to protect privacy. Yes I believe. The app will still require the "explicit consent of the user", we read in the official documentation, just as we read that "the list of people you have been in contact with never leaves the phone".
