Create a Temporary Baby Monitor With New Android Sound Notifications
The world is full of loud noises competing for our attention, but sometimes we may not be fully aware of what is happening around us. However, that’s okay, because Android’s new audio detection feature can eavesdrop on you and alert you to important things it hears.
Android Sound Detection uses a combination of Live Transcribe and cloud-based algorithms to detect a wide range of potentially important sounds, including alarms, sirens, screams, crying babies, dogs barking, doorbells, phone rings, and more. He can even record the voices he hears around you.
Depending on how you have configured for accessibility, a push notification is sent to your phone or smartwatch when it recognizes one of these sounds. A timeline for reported noises is also available on your phone so you can view alerts later.
Sound detection is a useful feature for people with hearing impairments or when you wear headphones in public and cannot hear everything around you. It can also turn your phone into a baby monitor or home security device that can send you notifications to your smartwatch.
How to enable sound detection alerts in Android
Live Transcribe must be installed on your device to detect audio. It’s preinstalled on Pixel phones, but those with other Android models need to download the app from Google Play first .
Next, you need to configure audio detection in your device’s settings.
- Open the Android Settings app and choose Accessibility> Sound Notifications.
- Click Open Sound Notifications, then accept the permissions to enable.
- From the Open Sound Notifications menu , click Settings.
- Click Sound Notifications Active.
- Choose the noises your phone should hear.
- Go back and tap Notification Settings and choose how you want your phone to alert you to noises.
After completing these steps, you can swipe up on the screen with two fingers to turn on audio detection at any time. You can also enable it using the accessibility shortcut, if you have it enabled .
Other Ways Android Users Can Receive Sound Alerts
There are two other ways Android users can be alerted to loud noises being heard by their devices: Nest Aware from Google and Alexa Guard from Amazon. These are additional paid subscription services, but both allow you to use the built-in microphones on your smart speakers, security gadgets, and hubs to listen to broken glass, smoke detectors, alarms, and more.
We’ve got guides on how to set up Alexa Guard and use your Echo device for home security , and the Google support website has step-by-step instructions on how to use the Google Nest Aware service on Google Home smart hubs and speakers , Nest cameras, and other Nest home security devices . These services only cover suspicious noises that occur in and around your home, while Android Sound Detection can spy on you wherever you go. They are still great for monitoring your home when you are not around.