Elon Musk: 'We've Had Promising Conversations With Apple About Starlink Connectivity'

[MacRumors]

With the launch of the iPhone 14 models yesterday, Apple introduced a new Emergency SOS via satellite feature that's designed to allow iPhone users to get emergency help in off-the-grid areas even when a cellular or WiFi connection is not available.

Apple is using Globalstar satellites for the endeavor at the current time, but SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed today that his company has had "some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity."

Musk says that the iPhone team is "super smart," and that space to iPhone communications will work best if "if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1567930757473091584

Apple has made zero mention of any discussions with SpaceX about Starlink, and there is no word if Apple has plans to enter into some kind of partnership to use Starlink technology.

In fact, SpaceX and Tesla in August announced a partnership for a new "satellite-to-cellular" service that will allow second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit to pair with T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum for the purpose of providing "near complete coverage" across most areas in the United States.

Unlike Apple's satellite feature that requires an iPhone 14, T-Mobile and SpaceX's solution should work with existing smartphones. The service will not launch until late 2023, so there are still some details that SpaceX and T-Mobile need to work out.

Apple's satellite communication feature is designed for emergency situations, and it is used to to send short text messages to emergency personnel to allow iPhone users to get help wherever they are. It requires a clear line of sight to the sky for a satellite to connect, and Apple's service is free for the time being.

Article Link: Elon Musk: 'We've Had Promising Conversations With Apple About Starlink Connectivity'

 

[sputnikv]

typical of musk trying to claim some attention when he had nothing to do with the subject at hand. such an obnoxious guy

 

[B-Mc-C]

What happened to all his hatred of Apple and nasty comments? Quite the attitude change. He is thirsty for Apple’s business. 😂

 

[MattG]

Ugh please don't get involved with this d-bag, Apple

 

[BootsWalking]

After what Musk pulled with Twitter why would anyone want to do business with him, except maybe for auto-part supply companies.

 

[G5isAlive]

maybe he has figured out CarPlay isn't that bad after all...

 

[bsbeamer]

"Globalstar Announces It Will Be The Satellite Operator For Apple Satellite-Enabled Services For Certain Of Its Products"

 

[MrRom92]

How about CarPlay in Teslas? Yeesh

 

[6787872]

musk is a conman and a fraud. hopefully apple will not deal with them.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Just stay away from Elon Musk, Apple. It's not worth it.

 

[boss.king]

Elon lies a lot, so who knows if this conversation happened entirely in his head or not.

 

[gaximus]

So are the iPhone 14 and Globalstar emulating cell tower, or are they using spaced-based signals?

 

[KrisLord]

I actually think this is likely in the future.

The new satellite functionality can barely send a text message, starlink is a totally different ball game.

 

[JosephAW]

Looking forward to the breakdown of the hardware and how the directional SAT antenna works.

 

[geartau]

typical of musk trying to claim some attention when he had nothing to do with the subject at hand. such an obnoxious guy

he was responding to a tweet.

weird how everyone hates the guy, yet, in 10 years, we're all going to be benefitting from products he was involved in making.

 

[MayaUser]

Such an narcissist this Elon

 

[MultiMediaWill]

Don't trush Elon... remember how Full Self Driving was supposed to be available 3-4 years ago?

 

[JosephAW]

I’m assuming all the Cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth turn off when in SAT mode.
And what’s the power draw and heat generated in SAT mode? It’ll say don’t hold it near your head. Probably limited to once every few minutes.

 

[AgentElliot007]

Good to see the majority of posters seem well aware of Elon’s charlatan ways nowadays; real progress being made.

 

[DogHouseDub]

for those of us in rural settings, Starlink has been a life changer. Criticize the man and question his end game, but a service like Starlink would never happen if it relied on traditional financing.

 

[JosephAW]

Can’t wait to read the headlines: “Apple iPhone 14 users overwhelm and crash the satellite.”
Apple will disable this feature until they can roll it out slowly or install their own SAT.

 

[Nebrie]

After what Musk pulled with Twitter why would anyone want to do business with him, except maybe for auto-part supply companies.

I've spoken to some of his suppliers in Asia. They single out Tesla and SpaceX as the worst customers they've ever had to deal with. It's not even close.

 

[mburkhard]

for those of us in rural settings, Starlink has been a life changer. Criticize the man and question his end game, but a service like Starlink would never happen if it relied on traditional financing.

The only problem being that Musk wants the constellation to consist of 14'000 satellites, replaced every 5 years. This is in no way responsible towards the environment. And for what, just so that the ping is a tiny bit lower? No thank you.

If Tim Apple is serious about wanting to be environmentally friendly with the company, then he cannot use Starlink.

 

[pdaholic]

Don't trush Elon... remember how Full Self Driving was supposed to be available 3-4 years ago?

It’s actually available in the higher-end Tesla models. You just run the risk of death by using it 😂

 

[stockseer]

Ah ha.. this gets interesting. as I think one way to invest in this is a tiny infrared module company that works with low-orbiting satellites already; but hasn't note if it's Globalstar, SpaceX or both (+ NASA)... that's LightPath Technologies (LPTH). If anyone knows that would be great; I think Starlink was awaiting FCC authorization for bird-to-bird communication aside ground stations; and I presume they have that by now. That might also be a holdup in going beyond the 'emergency SOS' signals only. Ask FCC?