The Smart Lock options in Android 5.0 are pretty awesome, with Trusted Bluetooth Devices, improved face detection and more recently Trusted Places, but Google isn’t done yet apparently, with reports of a new option called On Body Detection apparently appearing for at least one user.
The tip came in to Android Police who have shared a bit more information, as well as some screenshots taken of the setup, which contains an explanation. Essentially it appears to work using the accelerometer in your phone to detect when the phone is being carried. The explanation notes it can’t tell who is carrying the phone, so it’s not a fool proof selection.
The idea seems to be when the accelerometer detects the phone is upright and perhaps even moving a little (like when you’re using it) rather than lying horizontal and static (like when it’s lying on a desk) – pretty simple.
The user – Ryan – who reported the new feature was actually on a Nexus 4 using Android 5.0.1, though had the latest Google Play Services update, which points to that as the method of delivery for the update. Ryan advised a factory reset seems to have been the trigger for making the update appear, so if you’re interested in getting this option – you may have to lose some data.
It’s a pretty neat feature, if you’re willing to update to the latest Google Play Services and Factory Reset your phone, let us know what you think about it.
