Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Expands Globalstar Relationship to Support Growing Satellite Services
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well, they bought 20% of Globalstar in this transaction, so that's a start...
Yeah, I have this problem too. I don't think there is an override at present, and I doubt there will be unless/until the satellite messaging becomes a paid service.
I bought a boatload a couple years ago. Personally, I still think there's a LOT of upside.
Having the low cost Garmin plan already active as a backup is an excellent idea for emergency use cases. When Verizon had its coast to coast failure a month ago, Apple’s Globalstar service was swamped by the temporary demand.
I just hope my money doesn’t go toward lining the pockets of fascists and fascist enablers.
To use it you turn off cellular data. Then it prompts you to connect.
Elon Musk provided free Starlink hardware to the hurricane ravaged areas free of charge. He saved many lives by restoring communication to remote areas that may not have traditional telecommunication capabilities for up to a year. It's refreshing to see a billionaire use his money to help those in need and I would be happy to support his company after seeing his generosity. No pockets were lined.
Wrong! Starlink charged $400 for the system’s hardware to victims of Hurricane Helene. Read a legitimate newspaper and stop repeating lies that you read on X.
I see your point but this isn't quite the same as the other two. You could have a cell phone with no service and still call 911. Some things are worth public funding/corporate sponsorship for public safety. Getting reimbursed for your belongings or getting more than basic emergency medical care in a foreign country is something you should be prepared to pay for. Emergency services have always been free to contact.
Now, the bill you get after they rescue you is an entirely different matter.
I wouldn't give him too much credit for that one. This is how corporations lower their tax bill and get cheap PR at the same time.
It's not that he should look especially good for doing something, it's that people and corporations with those resources are expected to do something because they have the power to.
Don't get me wrong, he did a good thing. But if he had done nothing that would have been a very bad thing.
God you’re gullible are you not? Proprietary hardware and giving it out for marketing/PR is not better than all the billionaires donating millions even billions of dollars for good causes?
Please stop drinking Elon’s cool aid, he’s a narcissistic psychopath.
People had to purchase hardware (or those that had the hardware were just given free internet service) but were provided free internet service through the end of 2024.
That’s very reasonable… according to some people here they likely rather be left behind and get eaten by the wolves if the satellite on top of them -that could save their lives- happens to be stamped with a company logo they don’t like.
Simple feet in the ground example, if I find myself in a dire situation as a visitor somewhere in some country and happen to need access to a computer to send an email, I’ll truly won’t care if the courier offices I found happens to have Windows or Macs… say what you will about Gates or Cook or Jobs or Ballmer, I won’t care.
But so be it I guess, people punish themselves more than anyone or anything else.
After your comments, decided to peek at the charts (hadn’t occurred to me, just dragged myself down to some of the MR drama, dumb me’s fault losing time like that).
Price wise, indeed the history would tell is still far from highs.
Also, maybe this could be just the beginning, maybe in the future satellites will be more homogenous and be always present along with cell towers, offering an even more worldwide connection.
Maybe even one day they find to not be bothered whether there are clouds or not.
Can imagine the connection bars being WiFi, 5G, ‘5GSAT’, 5G-Hybrid, etc for saying one example.
It's was launched in Australia in 2023 https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2023/05/emergency-sos-via-satellite-available-in-australia-new-zealand/
He did not provide anything for free. He provided free trials that will convert to fully paid accounts and people will still have to pay $349 “equipment fee”.
Starlink Extends 'Free' Hurricane Relief Internet to the End of the Year
Those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are eligible for free internet through 2024. The caveat? You'll still need to pay $349 for the dish.
www.cnet.com
If Apple/Globalstar launches any additional satellites it looks like they will end up using SpaceX (which means Elons pockets get lined).