Globalstar is cheaper but significatly worse. Starlink will change the game and reduce them to SOS communications only. Yatchts, jets and RVs will all switch to StarLink as their primary connectivity channel, except when docked, then LTE/5G makes more sense in some cases.
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Qualcomm to Bring Satellite Connectivity to Android Smartphones
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Globalstar is cheaper but significatly worse. Starlink will change the game and reduce them to SOS communications only. Yatchts, jets and RVs will all switch to StarLink as their primary connectivity channel, except when docked, then LTE/5G makes more sense in some cases.
I will say that the real innovation here is making said feature financially sustainable for the parent company.
T-Mobile is already working with Starlink for connection to Starlink second generation satellites.
“The company plans to begin a beta program late next year, initially offering text, picture messaging and participating messaging apps, “with a goal of enriching the service with voice and data coverage in the coming years,” Kuoppamaki stated. The carrier added that no extra equipment will be needed because the vast majority of smartphones already on T-Mobile’s network should be compatible with the new service.”
They are getting better. ™️ It took them a year to go 64 bit after the announcement of the iPhone 5s.
While I agree we dont need to be negative about it. The reality is it actually does affect the iPhone re-sale value.
In the open market now the feature is no longer "exclusive". Most consumers wont know that one version of the feature works better than other. All they will know is "both phones have that feature".
Thats the whole gimmick these "competitors" go for. Their target market is uninformed people who want a "bargain".
This is why branding and marketing is so important. And for iPhone users we need that to protect our high re-sale value.
What hardware is buried within my iphone 14/13/12/11/10/x to communicate directly with starlink satellites?
They use beaming technology which I believe came in with 5G.
SpaceX Starlink satellites to beam service straight to smartphones
SpaceX and T-Mobile are teaming up on a connectivity plan called Coverage Above and Beyond.
Okay but … huh?
iPhone 14 has it - send only.
Samsung 23 will have it - send and receive
Other Android OEMs - tbd
I don’t see this item having much if any affect on resale.
JMO
Exactly.
iPhone 14 - has a really good system that works well due to careful investment and engineering. Reliable enough to be counted on in an emergency. Is worth every dollar (just repeating what I hear)
Samsung 23 - has arguably better version since it can send/receive, but actually works like junk and cant be relied on, is essentially just a gimmick that sounds good but noone will ever use. (typical device is better because on paper it has better technical capabilities, but in reality it works way worse).
Uninformed Consumer - I dont understand why anyone buys the overpriced iPhones when the features are same at best.
Not a big deal. This happens again and again. It is good to have alternatives. Not saying all consumers are uninformed.
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Apple partnered with Globalstar for Sat service.’
Samsung supposedly Iridium which should work just fine for SMS/MMS type messaging. Could be Globalstar or someone else.
Not seeing your “junk” viewpoint.
Definite agree on the general consumer.
With the transition to making phone satellite connectivity more mainstream, I'm curious how this affects military forces. Specifically soldiers that are deployed in remote places. Will they be able to communicate with friends/family more often? I imagine not with the higher risk of confidential information/locations leaking.
Anyone with deployment experience feel free to chime in.
Anyone with deployment experience feel free to chime in.
Not seeing the junk viewpoint is fair. It could just be me but it seems every single interaction I have with any kind of Android phone, leaves me frustrated and annoyed. I feel like it is always crap software shoved onto mediocre-to-good hardware = crap experience. I will admit I stay away from Android for that reason, so maybe things have changed, but every time I have tried in the past it has been the same.
So that's where I am coming from when I say I expect the satellite feature on the next Samsung or whatever to work like junk. Admit we don't know that yet, but I find history repeats itself. Suppose I could be a little more positive though.
Can’t say about Samsung - haven’t owned one since the Note 5. My Other half has a Flip 3 and really likes Sammy. These days beside my 13 ProMax I’m using a OnePlus 10 Pro - sweet device on Android 13 and Nova 7. I like it and find it more dependable than my iPhone.
It really depends on the OEM. Software has come a long way in the Android world and I find it on par with iOS and with more flexibility - OS flexibility. Your mileage may vary. Like your statement about Android, I find iOS more and more annoying as time goes on with the little things not getting fixed, (I’m on the Apple beta program), the inflexibility (default apps), and the growing nanny stance.
In the OnePlus world unless it comes via TMobile I don’t expect to see satellite anything till 2024 at the earliest … maybe. Will be interested to see just what Samsung actually does come out with. Hopefully it is a good surprise.
Interesting read on Twitter.
Qualcomm teams with Iridium and Garmin for its plans to provide satellite network connectivity and emergency messaging for smartphones and other devices.
Read the full report - link below
www.techrepublic.com
Qualcomm teams with Iridium and Garmin for its plans to provide satellite network connectivity and emergency messaging for smartphones and other devices.
Read the full report - link below
Internet of Things | TechRepublic
www.techrepublic.com
Very cool to see this coming to more phones. Will be interesting to see how this compares to Apple’s solution.
Well the latest flagship Samsung phones won’t have it. Not supported on Android until 14 and even then not with Iridium until late this year and also there may need to be some hardware changes. So yes, Apple still rules the satellite connectivity area of smartphones.
Actually no real surprise. I wonder which Android will carry it and what it will actually be.
Galaxy S23 doesn't have satellite connectivity; here's why
Despite rumors claiming the Galaxy S23 will have satellite connectivity for emergency messaging, Samsung's new phone doesn't have the feature.
www.sammobile.com