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All I’m saying is that there are more options out there. Some say the bands are a problem for Starlink, but Musk didn't seem phased by use in the iPhone.

What other free options (for 2 years) are there? I‘m fascinated.

Apple doesn’t use starlink, what does starlink have to do with this?

Say, are you gaslighting? That’s the word of the year!
 
I had considered that with my Zoleo but the iPhone service won’t give weather or texting. You can’t even send an “I’m OK” check in.
I knew that and should have mentioned it. If I used the texting I’d keep my Garmin, but I only carry it for a possible emergency during solo rock climbing (roped) and hiking. If I used the texting I’d keep my Garmin. I’d bet that within two years Apple offers a satellite texting subscription!
 
I knew that and should have mentioned it. If I used the texting I’d keep my Garmin, but I only carry it for a possible emergency during solo rock climbing (roped) and hiking. If I used the texting I’d keep my Garmin. I’d bet that within two years Apple offers a satellite texting subscription!



Yup, and I think I said that on this board a long time ago. The thing is Globalstar, why not Iridium? That was my problem cause Iridium had better coverage. I even had the Iridium Go app! 😀 So maybe Globalstar is better for cellphones and is air and ground relay while Iridium is sat to sat. Starlink is so new it has to be better?




Whatever, part of the reason I got the 14 PM was this feature and for two years - Yes!




But this is the start of the future, being able to give the middle finger to the traditional telecoms - in time. Me thinks Elon and Starlink is probably a better bet for the future than Iridium or Globalstar - but hey, it’s a start… 👍
 
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"Life saving"...for an additional fee.
I believe because of this, Apple will not be able to charge a subscription model for the emergency service. Apple will be sued for the first person who dies because they were not paying $10 / month.

But it also can't be free, or it would be abused.

I would say a model of something like $10 / month *OR* $500 per incident. It HAS to be available without a subscription in some sort of capacity. No one should die because they weren't paying $10 / month or whatever - looking at their phone saying "no subscription" as they fade away - but it also can't be free to avoid false or negligible emergencies.

Apple could work with the major health insurance companies to cover the cost of one use every five years or something as a benefit
 
I believe because of this, Apple will not be able to charge a subscription model for the emergency service. Apple will be sued for the first person who dies because they were not paying $10 / month.
It’s easy to sue, harder to win.
But it also can't be free, or it would be abused.
There are already laws on the books for dialing fake emergency calls.
I would say a model of something like $10 / month *OR* $500 per incident. It HAS to be available without a subscription in some sort of capacity.
No it doesn’t. Think apples lawyers already has sorted out the legs obligations. Of course nobody has crystal ball on. How this will play out.
No one should die because they weren't paying $10 / month
Then make sure your subscription is up to date.
or whatever - looking at their phone saying "no subscription" as they fade away - but it also can't be free to avoid false or negligible emergencies.

Apple could work with the major health insurance companies to cover the cost of one use every five years or something as a benefit
There are three costs. One the subscription cost. Two the evac cost. Three the health care cost. You’re on the hook for all three.
 
It’s a connection to a network, and you usually pay for those. If you don’t have a Garmin account/subscription can you use those devices? I don’t think so, and Apple won’t be any different.

However, in many countries even an unactivated cellular modem/service can dial 911/Emergency Services free of charge. If Apple ‘grows’ the satellite service into a robust messaging and/or voice service, I can see the emergency call being free, or maybe a number of free uses per year?

It will be interesting to see where Apple‘s satellite connectivity goes, it’s a potential opportunity to get rid of the carrier problems without building out nationwide hardware.
 
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