[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The new iPhone 14 sets the stage for 2023’s biggest phone trend with the introduction of satellite texting capabilities. This new feature allows users to send text messages and GPS data through low-Earth satellites, even in remote or emergency situations.
Apple was the first tech company to offer this technology, but other companies are now following suit. Avi Greengart, an analyst at research firm Techsponential, predicts that 2023 will be the year of mobile satellite connectivity. He states that “everyone’s doing it. Everyone is doing it differently.”
However, it is important to note that satellite texting is not as simple as adding a new app or radio to the phone. Low Earth-orbiting satellite systems are costly to run and maintain, similar to cellular internet and phone systems. Apple has announced that it will give iPhone owners free access to emergency services for two years after purchasing the device, but it is unclear what will happen after this period. Other satellite texting systems have yet to launch and it is likely that users will have to pay for this feature.
In conclusion, satellite texting is becoming a new frontier for the phone world, but it comes with its own set of challenges and costs. It will be interesting to see how this technology develops and how it will be implemented and priced by different companies in the future.
The question of whether satellite texting is a useful technology is not up for debate. We have already heard stories of people’s lives being saved because of it. However, the question of whether people are willing to pay for it is still up in the air. Will satellite texting be just another fad, like 3D TV?
Currently, satellite technology on our phones is only available for emergency situations and is only found in expensive smartphones like Apple’s new iPhone 14, which starts at $799. This makes the technology a nice-to-have feature that the broader population of phone owners will not have access to for some time. Those that do may never end up in a dire situation without signal when the feature would come in handy, a group that IDC research director Nabila Popal counts herself among. “I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have cell service,” Popal said.
Given satellite texting’s niche use, Popal doesn’t believe having it will sway consumers into buying one phone over another. It will certainly appeal to backcountry hikers; desert drag racers and remote truckers who plan to head beyond cell networks. But, for everyone else, it’s not an important enough feature to rush out to buy.
Instead, it’s more like one more feather in the cap of modern smartphones, which have already bundled together so many other technologies we used to have to carry separately in our bags, like cameras and handheld video games. It’s an added convenience but not a necessity for most people.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/rMMDalSDacQ”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
The Current State of Satellite Texting
Satellite phones have been a staple in the world of communication for decades, but the technology has been limited to specific devices and high costs for usage. With the advancements in smartphone technology, phone manufacturers are now able to incorporate satellite texting capabilities directly into their devices.
Apple was the first mainstream smartphone manufacturer to introduce satellite texting capabilities with their iPhone 14 line. The company partnered with GlobalStar, offering limited coverage in the US, Europe, Australia, and some parts of South America. The service is only available in a select few countries and only works for emergency text messages made outside of buildings. Apple has also pledged that new iPhone 14 owners will receive two years of service included with their purchase.
Qualcomm has also announced a new feature coming to Android phones that will allow users to send and receive text messages through satellites. The service, called Snapdragon Satellite, will have global coverage and will be available in phones launching in the second half of 2023 that use Qualcomm’s latest premium chips. However, it is up to the individual phone manufacturers to decide whether or not to include the service and if they will charge for it.
Other companies, like Bullitt and Huawei, have also introduced their own satellite texting capabilities in their niche devices. And with the major US carriers selecting their own satellite partners to offer mobile service beyond their networks’ edges, it is clear that satellite texting is becoming a new frontier in the phone world.
Analysts believe that the potential value of providing satellite safety nets as a service is a major factor in the increasing interest in satellite texting. Companies like Apple could easily add it to their subscription services, and carriers could use it to sweeten the deal for their highest-priced plans. It is a valuable tool for those who travel frequently or find themselves in remote locations, and the demand for it will likely continue to grow in the future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Is it a bad thing to be the new phone trend?
The phone industry is always looking for the next big thing, and the latest trend is satellite texting. This new technology allows users to send text messages and GPS data through low-Earth orbiting satellites, even when they’re in remote areas without cellular coverage.
Apple was the first company to introduce this feature with the release of the new iPhone 14, which includes an Emergency SOS feature that allows users to call for help in an emergency. Other companies, such as Qualcomm, are also developing their own versions of satellite texting.
While this technology may sound promising, it’s important to remember that the phone industry doesn’t always get it right. The transition to 5G wireless was a disappointment for many, with spotty coverage and slow speeds that were not much better than 4G LTE.
Satellite texting could also have its own set of challenges. It relies on the availability of satellites and the yet-untested strain of having many people relaying help requests through them. However, early signs seem promising. At CES 2023, Qualcomm successfully demonstrated its Snapdragon Satellite feature and CNET phone editor Patrick Holland tested Apple’s Emergency SOS feature on his iPhone 14 and found that it worked.
The introduction of satellite texting capabilities in the iPhone 14 has the potential to revolutionize the way we handle emergencies. No longer are people restricted to relying on traditional cell towers to send for help. With the ability to reach orbiting satellites, people can now send emergency messages from anywhere on the planet.
One of the most notable advantages of satellite texting is its ability to reach people in remote locations where traditional cell towers are non-existent. This is particularly useful for outdoor enthusiasts who often venture into areas where cell coverage is limited, as well as for disaster survivors whose mobile networks may have failed.
The satellite texting feature in the iPhone 14 is not only restricted to emergency situations. In fact, anyone can try it out without sending an emergency message thanks to a demo mode in the phone’s settings. This allows users to familiarize themselves with the feature and understand how it works in case they ever need to use it in an emergency.
The impact of satellite texting on emergency services is already being felt. There have been several reported cases of people being saved thanks to the feature. One man stranded while traveling by snow machine in Alaska above the Arctic Circle was able to send for help using the iPhone’s satellite texting feature. Similarly, a couple tumbled down into a deep canyon in a Los Angeles forest used an iPhone to send for help. In less than 30 minutes, they were rescued. Without the iPhone’s satellite texting feature, emergency services wouldn’t have been contacted, and “nobody would have known to look for them,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Sgt. John Gilbert told The Los Angeles Times.
Satellite texting is a powerful tool that can help keep people safe and connected in emergency situations. As other companies look to follow Apple’s lead, it’s likely that satellite texting will become a standard feature in most smartphones in the near future.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In order to travel safely outside the coverage area of cell networks, we no longer need to purchase large, cumbersome satellite phones. Many smartphones will soon have the ability to call for assistance, whether you’ve lost your way in the wilderness or are being attacked by dinosaurs on a far-off island that you should have avoided.
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