Keep Android Phone Unlocked!

I recently read an article on The Verge called "New Android Feature Keeps your Phone Unlocked While it's in your Pocket" which stated that a new optional feature to be rolled out on android devices would keep the device unlocked, once it is in on a person, i.e, hand, pocket, bag etc.. The feature would do this using the phones built-in accelerometer (D'Orazio, 2015). I soon began to wonder who would even want to use this feature. Such a feature would more quickly run down the battery (which already struggles to keep a charge for a single day) of those android devices. Androids are not quite popular for battery life. All those power-consuming useless gimmicks, now coupled with this feature that would keep my phone screen on as long as it's in my pocket, can only lead to disaster. Instead of charging my android 3 to 4 times per day, I now may have to charge it 30 to 40 times per day, due to the fact that the screen (the part of the device that consumes most energy), would be on as long as I have my phone on me (which is like 90% of the day). Furthermore, since the screen would be active in my pocket, the rubbing of the screen may accidentally open apps, make calls and a whole list of other stuff that could only lead to embarrassment and more battery drainage. And don't even get me started on theft. Say for instance, someone grabs your phone while you're using it and shoves it in his/her pocket and runs away. Now, if you don't have the aforementioned feature, then there is a great chance that the phone might lock before the thief has a chance to use it. With the feature however, said thief will have access to the phone as long as he/her does not rest the phone down (on a desk for example). While I see this feature having few benefits, let us not get ahead of ourselves here and sacrifice security and efficiency for convenience. Technology is here for the good of mankind and I'm 100% confident that this feature would not be contributing to that mantra.

References

D'Orazio, D. (2015, March 21). New android feature keeps your phone unlocked while it's in your pocket. The Verge. Retrieved from http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/21/8270425/android-on-body-detection-security-option-leaked