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Apple Confirms Emergency SOS via Satellite Launching on iPhone Later This Month
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Emergency services should work even if there is no cell reception. Otherwise you are not prepared and death is coming /s
Where I live, there are many areas with no cell signal (mountainous region, no signal in many of the canyons). This is a feature that might have me updating my wife's phone two years earlier than planned (I already have a 14Pro, replacing my five-year-old X).
When it eventually arrives in the UK, assuming it does, it might help on the many parts of the coast where there is no signal. There are many parts which have mobile signal further out to sea, but right in by the cliffs, etc., nothing at all.
Regarding solar, the items you mentioned are in testing. And what do you expect people to do? Walk around in the wilderness with their iPhone turned toward the sun? Perhaps they could strap their phone to their forhead..
Working solutions- If you've even thought of doing a medium risk adventure, you would know about these. They have been in regular use long before smart phones and cellular were a thing. Skiers, back country snowmobilers, hiking, etc.
The 5 Best Satellite Communicators of 2025
If you need to communicate from beyond cell signal, we've tested the products and services and report back on equipment from Motorola, Garmin, SPOT, ACR...www.outdoorgearlab.com
"This is so incredibly far-fetched and unlikely as to defy credibility."
In your not so humble opinion. Sounds like someone that has not ever had the opportunity to leave their armchair quarterbacking position. Iphones last a day at best on a full charge, and that's in the best case. Cold weather drops that significantly. If it in fact IS an emergency, one that you had not expected, it is likely that you may not have a powerbank with you. I don't know many people that carry a fully charged power bank with them all the time. Not so unlikely. Fortunatly my travels don't often take me to off grid areas, but if it did on a regular basis I sure wouldn't be counting on my phone to help, I'd be carrying around a much more tired and true solution that has been around and proven.
"push forward with solar charging screens". Apparently very much so. Apple has done more with less mature technology before.
Transparent solar panel display charges your phone through the screen
www.pocket-lint.com
Solar Panels in the Screens of Smartphones Could Power the Devices
Kyocera unveils a prototype for a phone with a layer of transparent crystals in its screen that helps to charge it both indoors and outsidewww.smithsonianmag.com
Phones could be charged by invisible solar panels hidden in screen
Titanium oxide and nickel oxide could be the key to unlocking transparent solar panelswww.independent.co.uk
Solar-charging screen could augment your phone’s battery life
SunPartner Group hopes to push out a new transparent panel that will allow your screen to give your charge your phone, using the power of the sun.www.androidauthority.com
Existing satellite devices are expensive and you pay a monthly charge or a specific number of calls. People who may be in the wilderness 2 or 3 times a year aren't going to pay for a fully capable sat communicator. They would love what Apple is providing.
Backup batteries are a no brainer. Anyone who goes off grid and doesn't make sure their phone is fully charged and doesn't carry a backup battery is being very foolish and shouldn't be going off grid.
Your arguments against what Apple is providing are off base and not at all valid for reality and the majority of people who would like the capability of off grid communication in an emergency.
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Apple just activated it… I live in an area with lots of cell phone reception, but it will help some
This. I can be 200 yards from my house and have no signal of any kind (no cell, no wi-fi). Say I'm cutting firewood, and despite wearing proper PPE, I get hurt. iPhone 14 Pro was a day one purchase for me.
Same and it's infuriating. I'm glad we have this feature.
By that argument, 98% would never sideload. So why isn't Apple looking out for the other 2%?
Hail, why doesn't Apple put a firewall in iOS. That would be useful for 100% of us🤨, although probably 10% would know how to set it up properly.😕
No, that does not follow at all since side-loading isn't a life or death scenario. Couldn't be more apples and oranges.
I haven’t read all five pages of posts, and this will be too late, but here goes my thought - Emergency SOS via Satellite remains a main feature, or perhaps you sign an agreement to be billed X amount if you do use it. The subscription comes in when you want to use it for the future feature where you’ll be able to send non-emergency texts, and real-life emergency use is covered in that subscription. Apple needs this first couple of years to proof the concept and develop monetizing extra uses.