Here's How iOS 11's Do Not Disturb While Driving Feature Works

[gnasher729]

Are we that stupid nowadays that we need an app that will remind us that using a phone while driving can be dangerous?

I dont need this, I just use my common sense.

You do. Others don't. The reality is: Most people know that texting while driving is a bad idea, but then they drive, and some people suddenly have something to text about, and start texting. But if they use this switch, that keeps them from doing it.

 

[pat500000]

You could be in a bus, in a taxi, a passenger in your friends car, on a tram etc etc etc. That doesn't indicate you're driving at all.

The way this feature is now it that you can disable it any time you like because of course you might not be driving and doing one of what I just mentioned. There's no way they can make it so it totally disables your phone because there's no way of knowing if you're actually driving or not.

Right now it's more of a 'hey, it looks like you might be driving so your notifications have been disabled but you can enable them any time you like if you're not driving'

Maybe the phone should ask the person if he or she is driving....

 

[Paul Dawkins]

When a truck crashes onto you or your sons and leaves you or your sons paraplegic, you will thank nature.

That can happen anyway.

 

[JohnApples]

The bigger question I have is what happens when you have this enabled while wearing an Apple Watch? IMO, the watch tapping me constantly during a group chat is much more annoying and distracting than my phone, which I just toss to the side and don't even hear go off. I hope this will auto-silence Watch notifications when enabled, too.

 

[69Mustang]

This is the biggest problem with this. Since the computer can't know if the device is being used by the passenger or driver, government will eventually force the phone to be disabled at all times while the device is in motion to "save the children".

Holy Sweet Jeebus! This post is straight outta Compton Facebook, or Yahoo's comment section. It's gotta be a test of Poe's Law. Otherwise, the logic here... it defies logic. A simple read of the article would have negated the entire rant.

<snipped and submitted for scientific study> And even with all of this, I'll bet some people will find a way to die.

Interesting, tell me more. I was always led to believe that we will all die eventually. But this new government permanent life extension thingy you mentioned... Who woulda thunk a padded room and Solyent Green would be the keys to eternal life.

Dying is a perfectly normal way for nature to get rid of idiots. We should let nature do its job.

If idiots only killed themselves then you migh- No this is still silly.

 

[JamesDo]

This biggest feature of iOS 11. How about spending your time working on widgets instead of this crap. You gonna add another row of apps to the iPhone 8? How creative.

 

[rdlink]

I love this

They should make it DEFAULT on all iphones thus reducing car accidents.

Many people just can't put down the iphone during drives.

Thank you Apple.

No thank you. I have CarPlay.

 

[Aston441]

I love this

They should make it DEFAULT on all iphones thus reducing car accidents.

Many people just can't put down the iphone during drives.

Thank you Apple.

Even though I'm a hard core Libertarian, I agree with you. Someone slamming into me at 80 mph is where Libertarianism ends.

 

[Olganech]

I get the feeling this is more a result of pressure on phone manufacturers to reduce distracted driving, etc., and not really an amazing new feature. It will make safe drivers that want to use it safer, and have basically no effect on the drivers out there causing the accidents...with maybe the exception of teen drivers that have parents tech savvy enough to enable it.

My comment is why has it taken so long for this basic functionality to be added.

My old Nokia phones from over 10 years ago could do this. They had do not disturb, driving mode and a programmable if this then that type app that could auto switch modes for driving, navigation, music and meetings.

 

[Stlcheer]

I’ve been using the feature and I like it. I have it set to connect to Bluetooth since I’m the only one who drives my car. We’ll see how I feel about it after a few more months.

 

[frankdogg]

used this for a week. One thing I didn't like was that I didn't know I got text messages because the notifications were gone since it auto-replied.

As the betas progress, I hope they are able to implement the DND while driving while allowing the notifications to show up once you're done driving.

 

[Rob_2811]

This is the biggest problem with this. Since the computer can't know if the device is being used by the passenger or driver, government will eventually force the phone to be disabled at all times while the device is in motion to "save the children".

So no, I don't and will never support this no matter how many crazy idiots claim it improves safety. There are lots of ways to die, and the only way to stop them all is for the government to lock each person in a padded room with automatic light based on time of day, no electric outlets, TV turned to the government channel, and finally to push liquid nutrients under the door. You would sleep on the floor so you don't fall too far. And even with all of this, I'll bet some people will find a way to die.

Dying is a perfectly normal way for nature to get rid of idiots. We should let nature do its job.

Apples self driving car software will be along shortly to speed up the process..

 

[TheDreaded26]

Would I still get the notification on my Apple Watch?

 

[mrgraff]

This could be a silly question, but maybe Apple forgot. Do turn-by-turn navigation prompts still appear in this mode?

 

[zkadda]

They should disable imessage or any texting app while driving. If the drivers tries to do some hanky panky with messages, it should give a message," look at the road......now!"

Genuis. And what if there was an absolute emergency like having been "car-jacked" or kidnapped? I think Apple are implementing this the right was - for it to be a VERY strong suggestion that you suspend communication, they don't want to be seen as Orwellian and FORCE you to not be able to do as you wish, that would just anger customers and frustrate them - Apple aren't in the habit of showing contempt for their users and treating them like toddlers.

 

[pat500000]

Genuis. And what if there was an absolute emergency like having been "car-jacked" or kidnapped? I think Apple are implementing this the right was - for it to be a VERY strong suggestion that you suspend communication, they don't want to be seen as Orwellian and FORCE you to not be able to do as you wish, that would just anger customers and frustrate them - Apple aren't in the habit of showing contempt for their users and treating them like toddlers.

Then that's that. It was to prevent from beig distracted...not being kidnapped.

 

[zkadda]

Are we that stupid nowadays that we need an app that will remind us that using a phone while driving can be dangerous?

I dont need this, I just use my common sense.

Yes, people ARE. Look around you, people are self-absorbed and selfish A LOT.

 

[MacWanker]

I hope this can be turned of permanently

If it activates and therefore gives no alerts every time I am on the subway/cab/train/uber/runway (from all of which the movement could be perceived as driving in a car) and you have to manually turn it off every single time, it will get real annoying real fast.



Edit - I have self control so don't use it when driving.

 

[Yakuzahi]

With about Whatsapp?

 

[Shawn Llewellyn]

Because everyone defines ‘have a life’ the same way as you.

Not saying You have to agree with it but wake up and look around! But hey, to each there own...

 

[cult hero]

Are we that stupid nowadays that we need an app that will remind us that using a phone while driving can be dangerous?

I dont need this, I just use my common sense.

I find my phone distracting, period. When my watch vibrates, I'm basically conditioned to check it. I don't when driving, but it's such an automatic reaction that I have to consciously made the decision not to check. That's distracting. The phone's screen lights up while driving at night? Distraction.

I often engage DnD before driving specifically because of this. It's not that I can't help myself. It's that ignoring notifications requires some level of mental engagement.

This is a really nice feature. I don't have to remember to turn my notifications on/off. (Forgetting to turn off DnD after getting out of the car has its own issues.) And it doesn't affect Bluetooth calling, so if I have a headset on or am connected to the car, it's all good.

Yes, you can silence your phone. Yes, you can turn it off. Yes, some people even do these things (including me). So what? Why on earth would I complain about a feature that solves the problem in a CONVENIENT way that requires effectively no interaction on my part? This is precisely what I want my devices to do. If it also reduces distractions from other people who are not as cautious, isn't that a win too?

I see a lot of comments about stupid people weeding themselves out, but you know what? When it comes to driving they often weed other people out.

 

[splitpea]

As a transit rider who's on a bus multiple orders of magnitude more frequently than in the drivers seat of a car I really appreciate the option to prevent this from ever activating.

As a pedestrian, the existence of this feature will make me feel a shade safer crossing the street (though I assume the worst offenders won't use it at all).

And as someone who does have a drivers license and gets behind the wheel a few times a year, I pledge to use this when I do.
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Why not just turn your phone off. Pretty lame I think. Like others have said the ones that don't care will disable it anyway.

Because people use their phone's GPS and map apps to navigate, and they use their phones to play music or audiobooks while they drive.
[doublepost=1498874287][/doublepost]

Dying is a perfectly normal way for nature to get rid of idiots. We should let nature do its job.

So the kid in the car that gets hit by the distracted driver is an idiot who doesn't deserve to live? How about the pedestrian crossing with the light who gets hit because the distracted driver turned into the crosswalk without looking?
[doublepost=1498874557][/doublepost]

That can happen anyway.

And it's a lot more likely if the driver of that truck is distracted by their phone.

 

[macsba]

So the kid in the car that gets hit by the distracted driver is an idiot who doesn't deserve to live? How about the pedestrian crossing with the light who gets hit because the distracted driver turned into the crosswalk without looking?

I quite agree.

As I see it, distracted drivers who kill innocent victims should not be let off because so called "accident." They should be charged with premeditated murder since they have no disregard for other people. Rule Number 1, keep your eyes on the road. There is no excuse what-so-ever not to keep ones eyes on the road.

 

[4tune8chance]

Well you kind of going to regret that feature next time you car is tampered with a motion sensing bomb that will explode if you drop below 30. Come on Apple your not thinking this through.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Well, goodbye battery.