Kuo: Apple Has Completed Hardware Tests for iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity, But Launch Depends on Partners

[Return Zero]

T-Mobile is adding this in 2023.

As I understand it, that will be a vastly different solution which requires new satellite hardware to work with existing phone hardware. It seems Apple's potential approach here is to modify the phone to work with existing satellites. As such, Apple would be going with tried and true tech which has been around for decades (albeit less fancy and slower). T-Mo's approach has many hurdles yet to overcome before a product can actually hit consumers' hands.

 

[Return Zero]

Is satellite connectivity good enough for everyday use?

It's not really meant for everyday use. Throughput is not good, and it requires good line-of-sight to the sky. This would mostly only benefit people who are off grid or at sea, but it would be a nice safety/backup net to be able to stay in contact if cell towers are unreachable for whatever reason.

 

[NT1440]

It's not meant to be a "feature" that you use. This is supposed to be an emergency service to ensure critical messages can be delivered in the event of disaster and cellular outage.

…hence why it would be perfect for backpacking trips where you rarely get service.

Emergency locators and communication devices for hikers are *expensive*. Having it right there on your phone is a big deal for that community and will likely result in a significant number of people NOT dying needlessly because they never ponies up for a stand-alone emergency communicator/beacon.

 

[orbital~debris]

The iPhone 13 also has satellite hardware, but connectivity was not implemented because "the business model had not been negotiated."

OK, I see how this works… The iMac 233 Mhz also has satellite hardware but was not implemented because the presence of the mystery "mezzanine" slot added a cost-free cool factor.

 

[gaximus]

It's not meant to be a "feature" that you use. This is supposed to be an emergency service to ensure critical messages can be delivered in the event of disaster and cellular outage.

Exactly what I would want for a backpacking trip. A feature that you only use during an emergency is still a feature that you use.

 

[nezr]

T-Mobile is adding this in 2023.

End of 2023

 

[B-Mc-C]

I can’t see Apple spending presumably billions of dollars and multiple years on engineering this capability in cooperation with Qualcomm, and even sending out media invites practically featuring the capability, but forgetting to negotiate with carriers until the week before release. The carrier would have the complete upper hand at this point and could make Apple pay whatever they wanted. Not a chance. This is ready to go I assume, and was probably in internal testing for the past year on iPhone 13 units since they were the first to have the capability. Would be awesome if we could pay a monthly fee to be able to text more than just emergency contacts when we don’t have service.

 

[boss.king]

I've been waiting for this feature since it was first rumored a few years ago. It's perfect for my backpacking trips!

Hopefully you're not backpacking around trees or hills.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I can see the Apple ad now - Get Lost, don't worry, we'll find ya

 

[RedWeasel]

I wonder how this will affect the Darwin Awards. On the one hand, it will become easier to be rescued from remote or dangerous areas. But on the other hand, the availability of a seemingly universal Help Button will lead to more people doing dumb things...

With the current threat of temporary power blackouts here in Europe (and hence also potential outages of mobile phone infrastructure), this could actually become a useful feature not only for the reckless.

 

[Elijen]

Elon isnt the biggest Apple fan.

Everybody is Apple fan if they can work for/with them.

 

[JJayguy23]

I can see the YouTubers choosing to get lost in some remote wilderness just to test this out.

OMG! I am lost and now I'm found this is so amazing!!!! - iJustine

Sir, log off, you're DONE!!!!! LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[Izauze]

I can't wait. My family wanted to buy me an expensive Garmin GPS tracker so they could follow me or keep in context while I was backpacking through South America. Now it looks like they won't need to 😱

The articles discussing it have all mentioned messaging features, but I would think that this would include tracing features as well - so I could share my location with FindMy anywhere I am - even if I'm out of cell range on a hike... or somewhere in South America

 

[DotCom2]

I can't wait. My family wanted to buy me an expensive Garmin GPS tracker so they could follow me or keep in context while I was backpacking through South America. Now it looks like they won't need to 😱

The articles discussing it have all mentioned messaging features, but I would think that this would include tracing features as well - so I could share my location with FindMy anywhere I am - even if I'm out of cell range on a hike... or somewhere in South America

It might be ONLY in the US at first. We shall have to wait and see.

 

[NMBob]

I can see the Apple ad now - Get Lost, don't worry, we'll find ya

No, it's "Get Lost, We Know Where You Are"(tm)

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I have a question: does it will work during flight?

 

[DaveN]

I wonder how this will affect the Darwin Awards. On the one hand, it will become easier to be rescued from remote or dangerous areas. But on the other hand, the availability of a seemingly universal Help Button will lead to more people doing dumb things...

I don’t think the number of people doing Darwin Award type things is increasing. It is now that we have social media you see more of it captured and publicized.

Years ago I took a two week kayaking trip in the fall on Lake Powell. Fall is the best time of the year to take a trip like that as traffic is low, the days are still warm, and the weather is nice. About midway through the trip, the remains of a tropical depression made its way into the region and we were hit by flash floods. Fortunately I pitched our tent in the right spot but we had waterfalls surrounding us. About eight or so waterfalls. As it was starting I was texting my sister using a satellite communicator (InReach) to see what the weather forecast was. It called for moderate rains. Boy were they wrong.

Anyway, fun trip. I posted a video of a slideshow I gave on it to a kayaking group. You can see it here if interested.

 

[barkomatic]

Let me guess. Official release with iPhone 15. iPhone 14 is able to get it too. But iPhone 13 won’t be compatible…even though it has the hardware.

I think you mean official release with iPhone 15. The iPhone 13 & 14 will have the hardware but it will not be enabled to encourage users to upgrade.

 

[Macative]

…hence why it would be perfect for backpacking trips where you rarely get service.

Emergency locators and communication devices for hikers are *expensive*. Having it right there on your phone is a big deal for that community and will likely result in a significant number of people NOT dying needlessly because they never ponies up for a stand-alone emergency communicator/beacon.

You're assuming it would just always work any time a text message won't go through. When this has been discussed in the past, it has been in the context of disasters. Something that could be enabled at the provider end only when and if a major disaster occurred.

And I'm not sure I like this "Now I can go into even more dangerous places!" mindset towards something like this.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Apple is indeed working on satellite connectivity for the iPhone 14 and completed hardware tests for the feature ahead of mass production, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo says that Apple has the hardware support for satellite connectivity, but whether the iPhone 14 will support satellite communications depends on "whether Apple and operators can settle the business model." The iPhone 13 also has satellite hardware, but connectivity was not implemented because "the business model had not been negotiated."

According to Kuo, it is "hard to predict" when the iPhone will offer satellite communication services, but it is expected to happen "eventually." When it is implemented, in the iPhone 14 or beyond, satellite connectivity will be used for emergency texting and voice services. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that iPhone users will be able to use satellite connectivity to report emergencies to authorities in areas with no cellular service, and send short messages to contacts in the event of an emergency.

Rumors have suggested that Apple is working with Globalstar, and Kuo says that is indeed the operator that Apple is most likely to partner with. Satellite communications consultant Tim Ferrar said on Friday that he expects Apple and Globalstar to launch a satellite communications feature for the iPhone 14.

T-Mobile and SpaceX last week announced a plan to provide smartphone connectivity anywhere in the United States using "satellite-to-cellular" service, and the timing of the announcement may have been planned to preempt Apple's own satellite-related announcement. SpaceX and T-Mobile plan to launch a beta of the service in 2023, and it likely will not require an iPhone 14.



Article Link: Kuo: Apple Has Completed Hardware Tests for iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity, But Launch Depends on Partners

T-Mobile & SpaceX is ready!

 

[NT1440]

You're assuming it would just always work any time a text message won't go through. When this has been discussed in the past, it has been in the context of disasters. Something that could be enabled at the provider end only when and if a major disaster occurred.

And I'm not sure I like this "Now I can go into even more dangerous places!" mindset towards something like this.

No, you’re assuming what I think.

Emergency means emergency, I didn’t even think of a text message or using this for updates or communication. I was thinking contacting emergency rescue or emergency location beacon features.

 

[Izauze]

If Apple was planning something like this, what are the odds they'd use the "Far out." tagline / space imagery and NOT launch it this year? Pretty much zero.

And if they do launch it this year as part of the "Far out" event, then what are the odds it's not one of their planned marquee features? Again, zero. It may not be the *only* big thing, but it will be a major focal point. A substantial portion of the press will be around the feature and what it means for iPhone 13 and 14 users.

And if it's a major focal point of the iPhone release (and has been in the works for years and years as evidenced by iPhone 13 work, etc.), what are the odds that the user experience hasn't been thought through to the Nth degree and won't be limited just to rare natural disasters? I mean, natural disaster services are cool, but enough to be a tentpole selling point? Not going to happen.

The smart bet is that this new capability has been being planned for and baked in to a host of new iOS features that will maximize its usefulness. At the very least it will include messaging and location tracking capabilities for everyone, and not just for use in limited contexts like natural disasters.

 

[IIGS User]

It'll work via the USB C port with a USB C to lightning dongle that retails for $75....

 

[julesme]

Then what does the far out invite mean

Triple entendre: 1) Satellite connectivity, 2) better optical and digital zoom (longer focal length), and 3) astrophotography setting.

Maybe we get all three?

 

[ThisIsMike]

It will be ready for the iPhone 14 launch day, even if it's somewhat limited. Don't ask me how I know.

How do you know?