iPhones will soon be able to text via satellite

[colingoodman]

iPhones have had emergency SOS via satellite for a couple years now. Apple just announced they are adding the ability to send text and iMessages via satellite as well. They have yet to add any sort of subscription to the SOS feature and it looks like this feature might be free also.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/10/iphon ... satellite/

[Peak200]

Kool thx for the update on that

[Jorts]

Garmin and SPOT are not happy.

[BillMiddlebrook]

Garmin and SPOT are not happy.

I’m guessing SPOT is ok with it since they are GlobalStar and that’s what Apple is using for satellite, I think. Maybe they know it’s time to shift to mobile phone revenue.

[peter303]

Next generation comm satellites have much larger antennas. So they can manage higher data rates from something as small as a cell phone. Theres already several up there in testing.

Pricing is an interesting question.

[jrs1965]

I have Starlink for my RV. Absolutely love it, but much beyond truck camping at the TH it's not going up a 14er. I'm wonder if Elon will be able to modify the Starlink constellation in the future to work with cellphones...

[dirschld]

Note that this will only be available to those with iphone 14 or newer; those of us still making do with older phones will either have to upgrade or hold onto our Garmin or SPOT devices...

[GregMiller]

I'm wonder if Elon will be able to modified the Starlink constellation in the future to work with cellphones...

They’re already working with t-mobile on that, and launched the first starlink satellites to support that back in January, no idea when they’ll actually offer the service, though.

[Dave B]

I'm wonder if the engineers and scientists who work at Starlink will be able to modify the constellation in the future to work with cellphones...

Small correction.

[madmattd]

I'm wonder if Elon will be able to modified the Starlink constellation in the future to work with cellphones...

They’re already working with t-mobile on that, and launched the first starlink satellites to support that back in January, no idea when they’ll actually offer the service, though.

Working on it, and demonstrated on their socials a few times. They've even shown doing a Facetime call with standard iPhones over Starlink recently.

There's been talk of general availability (through T-Mobile as noted) towards the end of this year, though I'm not sure if that's still on track or not.

[XterraRob]

This is great news, I hope Samsung follows suit.

[Scott P]

I don't have an iPhone, but I would switch if you don't have to be in network to send texts.

The info says:

Apple is expanding the capabilities of its satellite messaging on the iPhone. The new iOS 18 update will broaden the availability beyond emergency messaging, and Messages via satellite will be an option when cellular and Wi-Fi connections are not available.

Does this work when you are outside the US or do they charge you extra? I guess that's a question for the cellular company, but I'm just curious if anyone else is planning on using it while travelling overseas.