One of the main novelties of the iPhone 14 was the support for satellite connection, a function specially designed for emergency situations in which there is no mobile line or WiFi to request help. Thus, by pointing the smartphone at the sky, it is possible to establish satellite communication to send a text message, as well as the exact location through Find My. However, Apple would be analyzing the possibility of expanding the service so that it also allows make calls and surf the web.
According to collect PC Mag, this follows from a patent that has been granted to Apple in the United States. It relates to a “communication terminal”, a device intended to be installed on orbiting satellites. This is made up of transceivers and antennas that, among other functions, allow the operation of services such as voice calls and Internet access.
The document also mentions that this technology will allow establish “wireless links” with hundreds or thousands of compatible devices. Therefore, everything suggests that it could be the next stage of the Cupertino plan for the satellite connection that has debuted on the iPhone 14.
Don’t get your hopes up about this being made available overnight anyway. If, indeed, Apple decides to expand the possibilities of its satellite connectivity platform, surely it will take years before we see it materialized. Let’s not forget that the satellite link option first began to be rumored before the introduction of the iPhone 13. However, it ended up making its way to the next model.
Apple would have ambitious plans for the satellite connection of the iPhone 14
Since its introduction with the iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max, the satellite connection made its North American debut in mid-November. as long as yesterday debuted in Europe; specifically in Ireland, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The feature already has at least one successful use case that was recorded earlier this month in Alaska, when a man was trapped in the snow after an accident.
The satellite connection of the iPhone 14 —called Emergency SOS via satellite— comes into action when the mobile runs out of cellular or WiFi signal. The interface includes a kind of simple questionnaire where the user can select between different options to report their status. Subsequently, the phone tells the person where to point in the sky to contact the satellite and send the initial message.
In addition to the answers indicated in the form, the communication includes additional data such as the location, the height of the terrain and the percentage of battery remaining on the iPhone.
For the time being, it is unknown if the satellite connection will reach models prior to the iPhone 14. But it is clear that the function will be a key part of the next mobiles developed by the apple.
It is that, in November, Apple announced an investment of 450 million dollars in American companies dedicated to satellite communications. most money will go to Globalstar, which will use the money to build and operate new satellites. As consideration, said firm will transfer 85% of its current and future satellite network to those from Cupertino.
It is still unknown when the Emergency SOS function via satellite will be available in the rest of the world. For now, Apple offers the service free of charge for the first two years, but it is also not known how much it could cost after said period. The truth is that if you add support for voice calls and web access in the future, you will need to expand your technological infrastructure as soon as possible.
