Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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

Hmm...

Screen Shot 2021-08-29 at 4.01.52 PM.jpg

Because everyone wants an iPhone with an antenna now, if it wants to do voice. It's magic, but not that magic...

Screen Shot 2021-08-29 at 4.04.20 PM.jpg

And, for those that 'think different', you can also tweak the antenna.

Screen Shot 2021-08-29 at 4.05.01 PM.jpg

Just don't hold it with the antenna, or Apple will tell you you're 'holding it wrong'. Again. Hmm...
 
If it comes out that the new iPhone uses the 'L-Band', it will be set to at least know about the LEO frequencies.

Whether it can actually use them is another story. The 12 doesn't. It would seem a stretch to include that function, but who knows. It could also be, as some have said, 'chaff'...
 
skitidetdu said:
So maybe we can get rid of all the ignorant idiots that refuse to use airplane mode on a plane just to post on instagram?
Click to expand...
If airplane mode was actually important, they would check your phone or simply take your phone away before taking off.
 
tobybrut said:
Starlink is new and is just starting to put up satellites. Globalstar is more than two decades old and completed its satellite deployment ages ago. If you check out Globalstar’s website, you’ll see cell phones no bigger than regular ones. Keep in mind Qualcomm built that network and has been working on it for over two decades. Starlink is new and immature.
Click to expand...
I own a Globalstar phone. They aren't current cell phone size, guaranteed.
 
Not sure why everyone says “bogus” to this technology. Handheld satellite phones have been out for decades. So many brands, models n companies. Seems Apple was able to make the technology smaller to fit the iPhone.
 

Attachments

  • F7F3D2FD-FF27-4ECE-902F-1D130269243C.png
    F7F3D2FD-FF27-4ECE-902F-1D130269243C.png
    1.3 MB · Views: 64
MyDogPia said:
Not sure why everyone says “bogus” to this technology. Handheld satellite phones have been out for decades. So many brands, models n companies. Seems Apple was able to make the technology smaller to fit the iPhone.
Click to expand...
“Seems apple was able to make the technology smaller?”

That’s just it. No it doesn’t. The technology takes quite a bit of space. While it can fit in a large-ish smartphone, it’s not entirely clear whether that’s the case when you also have to fit all the other stuff that goes into a smartphone into the shell.

So the people who say “bogus” are saying so because they are doubtful that Apple has managed to accomplish this miniaturization. They may be wrong or they be right, but one thing that is certainly wrong is to say “it seems apple” has accomplished it. It won’t “seem” that way until there’s a lot more evidence.
 
  • Like
Reactions: citysnaps
gsurf123 said:
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.
Click to expand...
I think I see your point. We shouldn’t rely on our technology to save us, but in a worst case scenario situation, it is nice to have it as a backup.

I’d never deliberately put myself in a perilous situation, but if I found myself in one, even after taking precautions, I’d be grateful for any help I can get.
 
Back when satellite radio first came out, you needed a huge antenna. Now, the antenna is very small and incorporated with the radio antenna. I would think that it's the same kind of line-of-sight type of antenna that will need to be facing the satellite but not be huge, so you would lose service in tunnels, overpasses, etc., just like satellite radio. But it would sure come in handy when camping or when PG&E cuts power (here in California during wild fire season) to base stations and we have no cell service at all. Not perfect, but definitely a welcome alternative when needed.
 
Believe it when I see it...
Integrating a Spot X into an iPhone sounds very well doable... not sure though if worth the effort (and compromises as this will take up space most likely)
 
Former satcom engineer here. If they are implementing satellite on iPhone then very likely will be iMessage/sms only plus location messaging similar to Garmin I reach (iridium) or spot (global star). Global star has more bandwidth so would be faster and the likely choice. It’s possible they could add voice to the package but it would be a buck a minute so hard for me to see that apple wants to offer that but who knows. It’s likely a direct global star app download and subscription. Would be huge news for globalstar tho so load up on your stonkz. 😂
 
  • Like
Reactions: SantaFeNM and clive27
Apple can only add comms tech into current iPhones features that they are confident their own in house silicon guys can replicate.
Adding satellite comms just makes the process of getting Apple's own 3/4/5G chip set launched all the more complicated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jdb8167
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back