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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.

emergency-sos-via-satellite.jpg

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."


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'
 
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"Globalstar Announces It Will Be The Satellite Operator For Apple Satellite-Enabled Services For Certain Of Its Products"
 
So are the iPhone 14 and Globalstar emulating cell tower, or are they using spaced-based signals?
 
Looking forward to the breakdown of the hardware and how the directional SAT antenna works. :rolleyes:
 
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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. :rolleyes:
 
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. :rolleyes:
 
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.
 
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?
 
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