Satellite messaging pretty cool but pretty restrictive on the Ultra 3

[richard371]

in order to use the cool satellite messaging feature you need the following criteria please correct me if I’m wrong.
1. Be in USA/Canada/Mexico
2. Have a cellular plan on the ultra
3. Have no cellular or wifi
4. Have your phone somewhere else on and connected to WiFi. This is for SMS only.
How likely is it people will meet these criteria to use it? I personally always have my phone with me as it’s my camera and I’d use its satellite features if needed. But if the battery died or no connectivity the watch would only do sos. I know sos only will still work and save lives but it would be cool if Apple would allow it to send at least sms without using the phone as a conduit. Also I hope the feature will work in more places in the future. Was testing it last night using the satellite complication on my dial. Very high coolest factor but in most cases useless for text messaging.

 

[BigBlur]

Yes to all, except #4. I believe that is only required for SMS messages. You should be able to send iMessages without that requirement.

Think of the satellite connection as a slow internet connection. You can't send SMS over the internet, so it needs to relay back to your phone so it can send it through cellular or Wi-Fi calling. It's basically the same as how SMS messaging works on the iPad or Mac.

 

[jz0309]

in order to use the cool satellite messaging feature you need the following criteria please correct me if I’m wrong.
1. Be in USA/Canada/Mexico
2. Have a cellular plan on the ultra
3. Have no cellular or wifi
4. Have your phone somewhere else on and connected to WiFi.
How likely is it people will meet these criteria to use it? I personally always have my phone with me as it’s my camera and I’d use its satellite features if needed. But if the battery died or no connectivity the watch would only do sos. I know sos only will still work and save lives but it would be cool if Apple would allow it to send at least sms without using the phone as a conduit. Also I hope the feature will work in more places in the future. Was testing it last night using the satellite complication on my dial. Very high coolest factor but in most cases useless for text messaging.

Your title thread is hyperbole, nothing else.
You deem it useless for yourself, fine, but there are plenty others who will take advantage of it, and use it.

 

[richard371]

Your title thread is hyperbole, nothing else.
You deem it useless for yourself, fine, but there are plenty others who will take advantage of it, and use it.

The SOS could save lives but the messaging feature has lots of requirements to work. I'm hoping Apple will be less restrictive on this in the future.

 

[Bichon]

The SOS could save lives but the messaging feature has lots of requirements to work. I'm hoping Apple will be less restrictive on this in the future.

But the satellite infrastructure needed to support the additional traffic that would result is expensive. Wouldn't be surprised to see SOS remain free but messaging become a subscription service with a recurring charge.

 

[axantas]

The feature is not "cool" - it could be your last resort. It is available, when your WiFi or other network is not present. It also is not meant to SMS a Pizza order or something else. Be happy, if you never need it and be grateful if you get the satellite icon on top of the screen if you really need help.

I had it on screen quite often recently, travelling trough the Grand Canyon and New Mexico. Never needed it, but it was kind of reassuring, seeing it present.

 

[richard371]

Supposedly T-Mobile is launching starlink in Oct for iPhones with a fee that looks pretty interesting.

 

[TheRealAlex]

in order to use the cool satellite messaging feature you need the following criteria please correct me if I’m wrong.
1. Be in USA/Canada/Mexico
2. Have a cellular plan on the ultra
3. Have no cellular or wifi
4. Have your phone somewhere else on and connected to WiFi. This is for SMS only.
How likely is it people will meet these criteria to use it? I personally always have my phone with me as it’s my camera and I’d use its satellite features if needed. But if the battery died or no connectivity the watch would only do sos. I know sos only will still work and save lives but it would be cool if Apple would allow it to send at least sms without using the phone as a conduit. Also I hope the feature will work in more places in the future. Was testing it last night using the satellite complication on my dial. Very high coolest factor but in most cases useless for text messaging.

Never