Kuo: iPhone 13 to Feature LEO Satellite Communications to Make Calls and Texts Without Cellular Coverage

[bushman4]

While this may be a new capability it’s doubtful that the big three major carriers will partner with or pay globlestar for this service

 

[kevink2]

While this may be a new capability it’s doubtful that the big three major carriers will partner with or pay globlestar for this service

Only available on super premium postpaid plan.

 

[Daws]

The doubters just need to use their tin foils hats and their foil blankets to make their whole body act as a ginormous antenna and then BAM, Pokemon Go in the remotest locations.

 

[citysnaps]

Doesn't seem likely unless Apple redesigns iPhone with a larger external antenna with higher gain to accommodate hugely greater path loss.

And that's just not going to happen.

 

[locrumo]

I understand space travelling is already available for very few people but why is so difficult to add TouchID what normal people really need?

 

[zombierunner]

OK things just got interesting.

 

[BrentT]

I’m an hiker and i have a subscription with Garmin for emergency satellite communications (with the Garmin InReach Mini).
The service is powered by the Iridium Satellite Network, that has a global coverage.
so, this is the question;
IF CONFIRMED (i know is tricky to comment rumors), this feature could be a substitute of Garmin Satellite Services?

Globalstar has LEO network in competition with Iridium. Reports are it works pretty well in North America but sometimes you have to wait a few minutes for another satellite to come into view. This happens with Iridium too but now as often, according to reports I've read.

 

[Hyperchaotic]

So he's saying the x60 chip supports SatComms but I feel he may be jumping to conclusions. It's the obvious chip for Apple to use for other reasons and it's VERY common that consumer devices don't use all the features of their 3rd components.

 

[nt5672]

Surely, with Apple's track record on antennas, it will only work when the sat is directly overhead, there is something like 100 yards flat ground in all directions, and no clouds.

Of course, Tim will say it is amazing.

Oh, I forgot, it really won't work right until 12 months after the keynote.

Gotta love the new Apple.

 

[cmaier]

No one should ever use a phone as a safety net when off the beaten path in nature. Nothing more annoying that some jackass talking on the phone in a national park. I'm there to get away from that and not to use it as a safety blanket to phone for help.

I love how people think they own the national parks and get to decide how other people should enjoy their time there.

 

[cmaier]

So he's saying the x60 chip supports SatComms but I feel he may be jumping to conclusions. It's the obvious chip for Apple to use for other reasons and it's VERY common that consumer devices don't use all the features of their 3rd components.

Exactly. FM radio support was in the chipset for years and never supported.

 

[rellimie]

Globalstar satellite phones have huge antennas sticking out like they are from the late nineties. Can they really just use the iPhone antennas to connect to these satellites? This rumor from Kuo is specific enough that I wouldn't doubt it though.

These are what modern sat phones look like.

 

[sirozha]

Does the user have to pay for this access or is that service provided (paid for) by Apple and Globalatar

The service will be paid for by the US Government.

 

[DMG35]

I didn't need this to make me want to upgrade, but this is spectacular.

 

[nt5672]

What a ridiculous post.

If someone is off the beaten path as many outside exercisers are, how would a person get a hold of emergency services in an emergency, especially if someone has been injured?

Well, let me see. We've been doing it without cell phones for 1000s of years. It has only been the last 20+ that we relied on a cell phone instead of personal responsibility, planning, resourcefulness, and strength.

If you are relying on a cell phone in the woods, then maybe, just maybe, you should stay in your room in your parents house so you can be safe and without worry. Life is dangerous. Things happen. Scared people should not attempt to experience life, it is just not worth it.

 

[UnusedLoginID]

This means that customers of a partner network operator could use Globalstar's satellite communication service on the iPhone 13 directly through their network operator with no additional contracts or payments required.

No additional payments???? Who are we kidding? Let me guess… Verizon will charge $30 per month for the feature, because you know, with 5G they’re so far behind with coverage that the only way you’ll be able to text will be LEO

 

[Heelpir8]

“The ‌iPhone 13‌ reportedly features a customized Qualcomm X60 baseband chip that supports satellite communications. Other smartphone brands are apparently currently waiting until 2022 to adopt the X65 baseband chip necessary to implement satellite communications functions.”

I’m not sure what the difference is between the X60 supporting satellite communications and the X65 supporting satellite communication functions. What are the presumably additional functions of the X65?

 

[DotCom2]

Well, let me see. We've been doing it without cell phones for 1000s of years. It has only been the last 20+ that we relied on a cell phone instead of personal responsibility, planning, resourcefulness, and strength.

If you are relying on a cell phone in the woods, then maybe, just maybe, you should stay in your room in your parents house so you can be safe and without worry. Life is dangerous. Things happen. Scared people should not attempt to experience life, it is just not worth it.

Yeah, make sure you take two sticks to rub together.

 

[v3rlon]

They even charge for an adapter and are supposedly increasing the prices of the new phones, you think they will you free access to satellite calls? lol

They didn't charge me for an adaptor - because I didn't BUY one because I didn't need one. I already have more than I need, and I think you can get one free in a box of breakfast cereal.

Seriously, you're going to cry over a USB charger? I can ship you one if you will pay for the shipping (which will cost more than it would to get one, I'm fairly certain).

 

[HarryWild]

Is the Qualcomm X60 baseband chip limited compared to the X65 chip?

 

[Sciomar]

I call total BS on this guess/prediction. LEOs are in a very low orbit and will only be in range for earth communications at any given point for a few minutes each pass, so perhaps 3 to 5 minutes if you are lucky. It would require a swarm of LEOs and probably a much bigger antenna, as in much bigger than the iPhone itself. I'm an Extra Class licensed amateur radio operator (ham) who has monitored several LEOs as they pass by, including the International Space Station. This simply cannot be done with an iPhone and the current state of technology built into them. Even with the proper equipment, it requires a lot of knowledge and a well placed antenna. Total bleeping BS!!! There is a reason we use GEOs (geostationary satellites at 36,000 km altitude). You have to get that far away to keep the satellite over a specific location on earth. A LEO orbits the earth at less than 1,000 km, and makes another complete orbit about every 1.5 hours (90 minutes). No way this will work today....

Nice dedicated comms setup in your room. It all depends on what bands they decide to utilize for comms, before it was invented no one would've thought you could carry around a comms platform in your pocket. It's gotten much cheaper and tech has made leaps in improvement/size reduction. I think the capability could be there, the power is, it just may not have as wide of a network coverage yet, like 5 and 6e.

 

[alexandr]

It should use it for free in emergency situations. THAT would be a good, customer focused, feature.
But thats not Apple.

you're right, apple charges $9.99 for every fall detection.

 

[btrach144]

There's no way that Apple would stick this niche tech into every iPhone.

This sounds like one of those bogus pieces of information that's designed to find the leaker.

Agreed. Apple always is one cellular chipset behind the rest of the industry.

I assume because of cost and to avoid any bugs with using cutting edge technology.

I don’t believe this feature will happen in 2021

 

[travis64]

starlink

 

[Rafterman]

Well, let me see. We've been doing it without cell phones for 1000s of years. It has only been the last 20+ that we relied on a cell phone instead of personal responsibility, planning, resourcefulness, and strength.

If you are relying on a cell phone in the woods, then maybe, just maybe, you should stay in your room in your parents house so you can be safe and without worry. Life is dangerous. Things happen. Scared people should not attempt to experience life, it is just not worth it.

So, we should ignore a new safety feature and not use it, because we should all look tough and take unnecessary risks, when there is a way to protect yourself?

Let me guess. You are unvaxed too, because we should ignore tools to help us stay safe while "experiencing life."

Life moves forward, including the technology we use. Get over it.