I really don't think my original post was unclear, except maybe if people went into it already looking for an argument.
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iPhone Satellite Functionality Saves Denver Mountaineer
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A Mac fact? Hardly. People are becoming more willfully ignorant. The problem is on them, not Apple.
Every company now takes privacy to the forefront of their sales pitch. The general Apple hate here just promotes irrational and ignorant thinking, IMHO.
Maybe take a bit of time away from cheerleading for Musk and read some actual facts - Apple uses Globalstar, not Starlink - Musk had nothing to do with this rescue.
Emergency SOS via satellite made possible by $450M Apple investment
A $450 million investment from Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund supports Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models.
www.apple.com
Nope, but given how aggressive you've been with just about every post you've replied to, I get the sense that reasonable discussion isn't what you're here for.
I take it that since you ignored the rest of my reply you've conceded that point at least.
Anyway, I'm hitting the ignore button now before this escalates.
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That's a rather asinine thing to say. Accidents, unpredictable circumstances/ailments, and bad estimations happen regardless of preparation.
Where on earth did I say that accidents don't happen? You should read the words I actually wrote instead of looking for an argument where there isn't one.
You're calling people people stupid or reckless not being as conservative as you or accounting for risk to your standards that gain invaluable support from this technology is fundamentally problematic.
Similar to temporarily disabilities, things happen and it's only a good thing there's more reliable means to get help whenever/whatever happens in remote areas.
So I never said anything about accidents, did I? You just made that part up to twist what I said into something easier to argue with.
My point was specifically about how access to safety features like satellite calling for rescue might give some people a false sense of invincibility, leading them to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t. That’s not a blanket insult to everyone who's ever needed help, it’s a simple (and well documented) observation how human behaviour tends to shift when the perception of risk changes.
Again, please, just read the words I actually wrote.
On the other hand, if your issue is with the idea that some people are, in fact, stupider or more reckless than others then I guess we're never going to see eye to eye.
You don't call the specific guy stupid but by structuring your comment the way you did you were very passive aggressive in implying the guy was stupid. Then you get frustrated at all of the commentators that called you out. Tons and tons of people are unprepared the first few times that go do something and then by practice and experience they learn what being prepared means. And even experienced people who thought they were prepared discover flaws in their strategy that in hindsight looks 'stupid'. Your 'embolden' people argument is an old false argument that is brought up with nearly every safety invention. Some people felt that seat belts and later air bags just embolden bad drivers because now they feel that they are safe.
here is what you wrote:
As good as this sort of feature is, I have the feeling it's only going to embolden stupid or reckless people to go out underprepared or push past what they're safely capable of doing.
No, I was making a general comment. If you want to misread it and find an argument, there's always a way, but there was no implication about this guy whatsoever.
I'm sad that reading comprehension seems to be at an all-time low and people would rather assume the worst instead get clarification on what I meant and believe me when I explain it, but I'm not frustrated. I'm simply replying to people who reply to me, is that not the purpose of a discussion board?
Yes, that's why I didn't say anything about inexperienced people. I mentioned specifically the two types of people I was talking about and you all decided that this guy somehow fit into one of those categories. I said exactly what I meant in very simple words. Not everything is a veiled attack.
I'm not even saying the feature is bad, I'm just pointing out a common observation. If you have evidence that disproves this, please, share it and change my mind. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation
Yup, that's what I wrote. What I didn't write was that this guy was stupid or reckless. I didn't mention him or allude to him or make any reference to him. God forbid I comment on the potential implications of a tech feature in the comments of an article about a tech feature. If I think someone is stupid, I promise, I'll just say it.
Here's a hot tip to help avoid future confusion: if you (general poster, not you specifically) aren't absolutely sure about what someone is saying, maybe just ask them to clarify what they mean instead of assuming the worst about them.
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EU and DOJ should launch an investigation into iPhone’s satellite texting feature.
It’s yet another feature to unlawfully lock in customers to Apple’s ecosystem by offering something that others don’t have.
Also, third party satellite providers are unable to offer their services for iPhone users. Apple decides which satellite service and technology is used and it cannot be changed by the customer.
It’s yet another feature to unlawfully lock in customers to Apple’s ecosystem by offering something that others don’t have.
Also, third party satellite providers are unable to offer their services for iPhone users. Apple decides which satellite service and technology is used and it cannot be changed by the customer.
It took 17 rescuers to save him? Seriously? He should be paying for these 17 rescuers for their services. Do risky/dumb ****, pay the price.
Apple's satellite texting features saved an injured climber over the weekend, according to Colorado news reports. The man was stuck above 10,000 feet on Snowmass Mountain, which is one of many snowy mountains in Colorado. It can be a dangerous hike due to the potential for rockfall and because of ice.
On the trip, the unnamed 53-year-old man summited the mountain and was using a technique called glissading to slide down the mountain. Sliding down a snow-covered mountain can result in injury, and the man suffered damage to his wrist that prevented him from continuing.
There was no cellular signal where he was located, but he was able to use the iPhone's satellite texting functionality to contact a family member. The family member got in touch with the sheriff's office and Mountain Rescue Aspen.
He was located at Snowmass Lake, which is approximately eight miles from the mountain's parking area. Responders said the man was not able to walk out on his own, and it took 17 rescuers to get him to safety. Rescuers arrived to the mountain at approximately 8:25 a.m., and the climber was safely out of the area by 5:30 p.m.
Texting via satellite is just one of several satellite-based features that are offered on the iPhone 14 and newer. There is also an Emergency SOS via satellite feature that allows iPhone users to get in touch with emergency services when no cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity is available.
In a press release, the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office suggested that climbers learn how to use satellite texting. "Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office remind adventurers that carrying an emergency communication device and knowing how to use Apple Satellite texting can significantly speed up the rescue process. If you are asking for help, don't hesitate to press the SOS button--it allows MRA to establish direct communication and coordinate a timely response," reads the release.
Article Link: iPhone Satellite Functionality Saves Denver Mountaineer
It is wonderful to hear that Apple's sattelite texting features likely saved the health and the life of that 53-year-old man. The most valuable use of technology is when it can save the health and lives of people.
While Siri is behind its AI competitors in 2025, and while it had many problems throughout its existence, it was ahead of its time when it was first integrated into iOS, specifically iOS 5, in 2011. That kind of innovation is due to Scott Forstall. He was a part of the reason why Apple acquired Siri in 2010. If Tim Cook had not been so cluless and mediocre as to fire Apple's most innovation-minded employee, which is Forstall, in 2012, then it wouldn't have been surprising if Forstall had introduced sattelite texting features years before Apple finally did in 2022.
The acquision of Siri shows that Forstall was on the lookout for helpful and innovative features created by other companies in order to acquire and integrate into iOS. Sattelite texting was created by the company DeLorme and launched on their product called the inReach SE in 2011, which used the Iridium sattelite network. If Cook had not so stupidly fired Forstall in 2012, then it would be unsurprising if Forstall sometime shortly after that had taken notice of what DeLorme had done and laid the groundwork for acquiring them. DeLorme was open to acquisiton, and the fact that Garmin aquired them in 2016 proves that.
While Siri is behind its AI competitors in 2025, and while it had many problems throughout its existence, it was ahead of its time when it was first integrated into iOS, specifically iOS 5, in 2011. That kind of innovation is due to Scott Forstall. He was a part of the reason why Apple acquired Siri in 2010. If Tim Cook had not been so cluless and mediocre as to fire Apple's most innovation-minded employee, which is Forstall, in 2012, then it wouldn't have been surprising if Forstall had introduced sattelite texting features years before Apple finally did in 2022.
The acquision of Siri shows that Forstall was on the lookout for helpful and innovative features created by other companies in order to acquire and integrate into iOS. Sattelite texting was created by the company DeLorme and launched on their product called the inReach SE in 2011, which used the Iridium sattelite network. If Cook had not so stupidly fired Forstall in 2012, then it would be unsurprising if Forstall sometime shortly after that had taken notice of what DeLorme had done and laid the groundwork for acquiring them. DeLorme was open to acquisiton, and the fact that Garmin aquired them in 2016 proves that.
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Anti-Cook rant found in this story at last. TBH I'm surprised it took us 39 replies! Good going, all!
Glad to hear that he is safe now. Very useful feature. Waiting to see it in more countries.
I love reading these kinds of stories. This really is amazing stuff. I live in a large state with terrible internet connectivity. Comforting to know emergency help is always available now.
While I'm glad this man was rescued, I'm a bit sad because in Southern California we are dealing with a missing hiker (Monica Reza) in the Mt. Waterman area and I wish hers was a similar story with a happy ending. Instead she has been missing for over a week now and they've just called off the primary search. 😞
I'd also like to point out that the Apple Watch has a "Backtrack" feature built into the Compass app. If you open the app look at the thing in the bottom right corner that looks like a fancy "S" (actually a little trail logo) and press it. It will ask you to enable it. I suspect in this case the hiker may have fallen and been incapacitated, thus not being able to either signal for help with their phone via satellite or backtrack along their route - but it's worth mentioning anyway.
(Personally, I have a separate backtracking device and, additionally, I would never leave home without something like a Garmin InReach.)
I'd also like to point out that the Apple Watch has a "Backtrack" feature built into the Compass app. If you open the app look at the thing in the bottom right corner that looks like a fancy "S" (actually a little trail logo) and press it. It will ask you to enable it. I suspect in this case the hiker may have fallen and been incapacitated, thus not being able to either signal for help with their phone via satellite or backtrack along their route - but it's worth mentioning anyway.
(Personally, I have a separate backtracking device and, additionally, I would never leave home without something like a Garmin InReach.)
For what it’s worth, I’m stunned at the pushback to this. I read it a dozen times. A safety net gives people the feeling they’re better protected. So some people might be prone to be less careful. I think everyone is glad the guy mentioned in the article is ok. I didn’t see anyone criticizing him.
Haha, yeah, pretty wild how many people took it the wrong way even after I explained what I meant like half a dozen times. I guess some people just want to argue.
I appreciate that at least a couple of you were able to take what I said at face value.
Are you saying he should be able to see people would assume the worst? Why not ask for clarification instead of inferring? Now that he has clarified his post will people admit they misinterpreted what he said?
That’s sarcasm, right? Because you wouldn’t have sued Samsung for a physically changing aperture in old phones. You also wouldn’t sue Google for having a camera app and algorithm that only works on Pixel phones, right?
Because all three of these proposals would be equally laughable.
This is a feature apparently no one else thought about, that is actively saving people’s life’s.
Nothing more, this has nada to do with lock in or anything like that.
Well... there always be idiots. The same has happend with modern cars with all the new tech. See The Peltzman Effect.
Kinda like downhill skiing ... but without skis, with only one pole. 😳 I've seen people practice this in the Scottish highlands for short distances, but I have never seen anybody actually do it. Too many rocks buried just beneath the snow.
IMO any activity that gets you going faster than you normally run but doesn't provide additional protection for the body against collision is inherently dangerous.
Anyway, I am glad the climber is OK and I wish them a complete and speedy recovery.