OTOH, Android has had OLED tablets for over a decade. And Android is getting satellite SOS as well now, and will allow for two-way messaging: https://www.qualcomm.com/news/relea...-snapdragon-satellite--the-world-s-first-sate
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iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Saves California Hiker
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Do you feel the same way if someone were to die from a car wreck because they didn’t purchase such-and-such safety feature that costs extra that could have possibly prevented it?
I've not had to resort to the SOS but I've used the satellite feature to broadcast my location when camping in the backwoods. It's comforting and works great!
It would be nice to have a pay-per-use option.
It’s somewhat different because for satellite SOS it’s purely a software setting to have the feature available or not. The satellites are there regardless, and the iPhone has the necessary hardware and software regardless. It’s more like having a safety feature built-in that you’re prevented from using unless you pay up, and are prevented even in an emergency. This is different from, say, emergency cell calling which is available whether you payed for a mobile plan or not.
And like almost everything else on Android the feature isn't much good beyond the paper marketing. Iridium's network is in bad shape, and they barely have any ground repeater stations. And Qualcomm and the others won't pay to upgrade it the way Apple's been dumping cash into Globalstar.
I don’t think that’s how conductivity works.
So when Apple wants 1000 bucks a year to have the service you will pay of course. We are all in a free trial right now.
Is that the one you have to pay for?
I find it interesting as I own apple gear. Those who dont find it interesting can skip over the headline.
Just wait until there’s a death from someone who didn’t wear their seatbelts. It’s up to the person to decide how they want to protect themselves and what electronic gear to bring along. Dont blame apple here.
Individuals are not billed for their own search and rescue, at least not in California.
You’ll have to pay for Apple’s service in due time. It’s only free for two years now.
Well in Al fairness we dont know what apple will do. For those who want it and dont need anything else and have an iPhone 14 it’s available for no extra cost, until it isn’t.
Well… this is all new, isn‘t it? I mean… I guess seatbelts were made mandatory, what? 50… 60 years ago? Maybe in their first year of being widely available/mandatory, there was plenty press coverage when they saved lives. Who knows?.
So, maybe when this type of feature has been available for many years, the need to report on every instanc just won’t be there.
Well, maintaining that satellite infrastructure isn’t cheap. Of course Apple might subsidize it through iPhone sales indefinitely, but that still means consumers pay for it one way or the other.
My guess is they will keep the basic SOS functionality free and have more advanced satellite communications features for an added cost / included with iCloud +.
You can send your location to someone? I was under the assumption that the only feature was to send an SOS. It sounds like the feature on my Zoleo device where you push a button and it sends an "I'm ok" message to somebody. I think the Garmin InReach has it too. This will make me consider upgrading from my iPhone 13. Thanks for that info.
Just imagine the PR from trying to charge people for a lifesaving SOS feature. "I broke a leg on a backcountry trail, tried to SOS but my iPhone said I needed to subscribe to another plan, almost died before a Samsung user spotted me with their super-duper zoom while trying to photograph the moon..." My guess is Apple will keep this free as an iPhone selling point—let's face it, it's an excellent one—and simply raise some other prices to recoup the costs.
The moral of the story: Buy the new iPhone if you’re the type of person that leaves the house.
Garmin, I know sometimes it is scary when a new baby is coming into the house and you feel you are not going to be the favorite anymore. But don’t worry; you can be my little helper!
Yeah, that's part of the joke.
Look up "ironic" some time.