What is On-Body Detection? With Android 5.1, Google is bringing a new feature called Device Protection, which will lock lost or stolen devices. The devices will remain locked until their owners sign in with their Google account.
The security feature that Google uses is not new as Apple has been using it for a long time with “find my Phone”.
But Google seems to have beefed up this capability by coming up with a new additional security feature. According to a post by Android Police, Google has rolled out a new smart lock feature it calls “On-Body Detection.”
This feature uses an accelerometer inside the phone to understand where the phone is in relation to your body. Is it in your pocket or somewhere away from you?
In case the new feature detects that the phone is not near you, it will lock the device, preventing snoopers from getting your personal data.
The device will remain locked until you locate it and unlock it with your hand. It will remain unlocked as long as you hold it in your hand or pocket, but if you leave it on a table, it will lock again.
If you give the unlocked device to another person, it will remain unlocked, because the system is not designed to recognize “you” and “the other.” It can only tell if someone has it in their hand or pocket.
The source who leaked the information about the new feature was using a Nexus 4 running Android 5.0.1, so On-Body Detection actually appears to be present on more than just Android 5.1. The user also mentioned that the latest Play Services (7.0.97) was installed.
