Apple and Google, two of the most known tech companies in the world, now introduce a way to quickly identify the path of the Coronavirus or the so-called 'contact tracing.' The two companies said that they will be partnering with the United States government to finish all the needed details in the process. Once this "Bluetooth contact tracker" is officially launched, how can you use it?
How to use Apple and Google's Bluetooth COVID-19 contact tracing?
How Can Bluetooth Detect the Virus? The How-To's of Apple and Google's COVID-19 Tracker
As reported via The Verge, the main goal of the contact tracer of Apple and Google is simple. The program will use the Bluetooth LE technology as the main 'signal' to trace the COVID-19 positive patients.
Once a person gets positive with the disease, the smartphone will automatically send notifications to all other smartphones that got near the confirmed case. As explained, the smartphone will showcase a warning to your screen-- saying that you need to isolate yourself-- once you get a close interaction with a positive patient. Another perk of this software is that no details will be revealed about you or the other victims-- just in case you're afraid about all the privacy issues.
Steps on how to use the Bluetooth contact tracing technology
So far, the updates for the said contact tracing tech are not yet finalized by the companies. Here's what's sure, though.
What if you're infected?
Once the app or the software is officially out there to use, you will either possibly be the infected or the exposed one. If you are infected, the system will be responsible for uploading your 'anonymous keys' for the last 14 days. As said on The Verge, users will have the right to share your 'keys' or not-- but this info is not yet finalized.
Since you are now a confirmed patient, the system will automatically download the key lists to other smartphones. If the key matches, the phone owner will get a warning for him to isolate.
What if you're exposed?
As said, if you're the one that got exposed with a positive patient, a notification will be shown on your screen. The companies said that the warning will say "You have recently been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19."
Once you receive it, it will then offer a link with more information regarding the disease. It's not yet clear on what information site will be linked to the system. But it must be a government site explaining the symptoms and quarantine guidelines.
Bluetooth contact tracing: Is it an app or an opt-in tracker?
Apple and Google are launching the system in two different ways: the app and the opt-in tracker. The app phase means that the system is needed to be downloaded to your smartphone-- like ordinary apps. For the opt-in tracker, the companies said that this might take a while to create, but once done, all iOS and Android will have an opt-in tracker to their system-- making it easier for the tech.
So far, the app-based contact tracing will be reportedly released in mid-May while the opt-in tracker needs a little time for now.
