It’s not at all like being charged for fall detection though. Fall detection is done entirely on-device and sends a normal message through the regular WiFi/cellular networks. There is no ongoing cost to Apple for this. This requires Apple to pay for satellites around the globe to be launched, active, maintained, and to have response centers staffed. That’s a huge ongoing cost. It’s a completely different business model.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What You Need to Know About Apple's Emergency Satellite Feature for iPhone 14
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A broader, more philosophical topic, but I'd much rather pay for something and get exactly the service I want, on the terms I want, with the features I want, then Apple engaging in its using marketing exceptionalism to "include" it for "free."
Nothing is free. Better to go into something eyes wide open and make sure you've identified the benefits and features that actually matter, especially when we're talking about something that you will need to rely on in a life or death situation.
it’s pretty clear that what is FREE is a 24 month EMERGENCY services access, which relative to other services and service providors is the lowest and CHEAPEST type of plan. (Of course one has to bring a device like a SPOT or other product to the service provider for activation).
This is NOT a TWO WAY messenger (like a SPOT) where one can send short messages to a pre-defined or limited list of recipients, or a way to send tracking updates - again to a pre-defined or limited list of recipients..so AT THE MOMENT at least it’s not going to replace that level of product/service capability that is currently in the market.
AFTER two years, it’s anyone’s guess, but to FURTHER and continue what I think the current service offering IS, I would expect this to be a simple $99 a year (possibly monthly for 14.99$) service offering to have the peace of mind IF one is remote and needs to connect with emergency services for extraction or aid, or IF one is in a vehicular accident in an area where there is no cellular connectivity (trust me there are MANY areas in this great land on the 80, 40 and 10 where there is NO SIGNAL, not just a data gap)..
That too will possibly encourage some owners to buy the service for peach of mind and risk management.
With all that in mind, I expect Apple or others to offer UPGRADED services, like more similar TWO WAY messaging while remote (similar to SPOT) which would cost MORE, like $150-$199 a year - which for many might be worth it.
Also, as I’ve said I think in this thread, I would expect APPLE to get into the market for the secondary INSURANCE coverage required - at least in NA/CA to the emergency services extraction or assistance expenses which can cost easily $1000’s of USD, if not 10’s of $1000. Like an SOS service offering or other Allianz extraction insurances for adventurers, international travelers, etc. There is $$$ to be made here taking a small portion of that service fee/revenue and applying it to a new market of 25-50 MILLION growing customers.
This is NOT a TWO WAY messenger (like a SPOT) where one can send short messages to a pre-defined or limited list of recipients, or a way to send tracking updates - again to a pre-defined or limited list of recipients..so AT THE MOMENT at least it’s not going to replace that level of product/service capability that is currently in the market.
AFTER two years, it’s anyone’s guess, but to FURTHER and continue what I think the current service offering IS, I would expect this to be a simple $99 a year (possibly monthly for 14.99$) service offering to have the peace of mind IF one is remote and needs to connect with emergency services for extraction or aid, or IF one is in a vehicular accident in an area where there is no cellular connectivity (trust me there are MANY areas in this great land on the 80, 40 and 10 where there is NO SIGNAL, not just a data gap)..
That too will possibly encourage some owners to buy the service for peach of mind and risk management.
With all that in mind, I expect Apple or others to offer UPGRADED services, like more similar TWO WAY messaging while remote (similar to SPOT) which would cost MORE, like $150-$199 a year - which for many might be worth it.
Also, as I’ve said I think in this thread, I would expect APPLE to get into the market for the secondary INSURANCE coverage required - at least in NA/CA to the emergency services extraction or assistance expenses which can cost easily $1000’s of USD, if not 10’s of $1000. Like an SOS service offering or other Allianz extraction insurances for adventurers, international travelers, etc. There is $$$ to be made here taking a small portion of that service fee/revenue and applying it to a new market of 25-50 MILLION growing customers.
I am going in the opposite direction, as in, I think it's such a curious/odd feature for Apple to offer. It makes me wonder what their long game is.
I understand why SOS via cellular, for example, is offered. After all, cellular connectivity is already part of a phone. But why satellite? Makes me think there's an Apple long game that I don't know about....
I think, to this point that the possible visibilly and sadly marketability of a service that saved some person or persons while hiking in the northern regions of CA, or WY or MT or CO or some province in Canada or somewhere else where there is NO cellular capability is as they say “priceless”.. there are dozens if not ‘sevens’ of ppl who annually lose their lives because they are remote and out of reach of cellular capabilities and either get lost, get too far in and have no water (lack of food doesn’t really kill ppl for weeks) or are subject to significant element changes that kill them from an environmental standpoint.. FIRE, COLD, significant changes in weather patterns, AVALANCHE, etc.
If apple can ultimately save really just ONE of these people - well then I would think that you might get literally MILLIONS of people to pay $99 a year or more to have the service “just in case”. And, well, marketing.
I’ll take the bet that by 1/1/2024, we’re going to see at least ONE example of someone who will claim or submit that their iPhone 14x “saved my life”..
takers?
I'm surprised at so many people outraged at the fact that Apple might charge for a feature that costs them money. Yes, it could be a question of survival, but it still costs money to run and I don't know of any company providing similar services for free.
Now, for the target demographic (including myself), this is really really brilliant. If I use the Garmin solution, I'm paying the cost of the device plus $358.8 for two years of service. With the iPhone 14, I can save that money for the first two years. It's very enticing. Apple might be testing the waters and might come with a more permanent service later on, but for now, as of today, it's VERY good.
Now, for the target demographic (including myself), this is really really brilliant. If I use the Garmin solution, I'm paying the cost of the device plus $358.8 for two years of service. With the iPhone 14, I can save that money for the first two years. It's very enticing. Apple might be testing the waters and might come with a more permanent service later on, but for now, as of today, it's VERY good.
That's fine, but the fact that they are giving it away for free for 2 years, tells me that at some point they may make it free and get props for that. Besides, did the say how much the cost will be?
Apple Arcade free for 3 months, Apple TV free for a year. There may be others, but the emergency satellite feature is going to be a paid for subscription service ultimately.
I get it, can't help how I feel though. Especially since I don't remember a cost being associated with this service in the rumors.
Just because something is "free" at launch doesn't mean it's destined to be free indefinitely. Companies sometimes initially offer free or below cost services for a variety of reasons but in this case, I think Apple (and Globalstar) primarily want to try to get a sense of usage to determine costs/overhead and from that they will determine pricing.
If the costs end up being so low (when spread out over hundreds of millions of devices), maybe they will be able to roll it into the price of future phones but if not, they will have to make it an optional subscription service. They won't know for sure until they have enough data, see how things go including any new competition, etc. and that will take a while.
Sure, but it seems T-Mobile is planning to offer much more free of charge. Just saying.
T-mobile / starlink, also have no idea if its going to work and if, then WHEN it’s going to work. A limited beta MIGHT start “late next year” 2023, but it really will require upgrades to current STARLINK antenna arrays going forward and getting them up there for coverage.
At least this current plan with iphone 14+ models and Globalstar, it should be working in a few months.
It's not exactly free of charge. Yes, it will be included in their upper tier plans similar to how Apple TV+, Netflix, etc. are currently included but customers (will) pay for it as part of the pricier upper tier monthly payment.
T-Mobile has also said that it may be extra on their lower tier plans but pricing hasn't been determined yet.
Yea, but personally I don't know anyone who is on a lower tier plan — you'd really be missing out on all of the perks that T-Mo has to offer. Besides, if you want to go that route — make the service free with the Pro phones — they sure cost more and this could be one of the reasons.
I assure you there are plenty of people on lower tier plans. Some customers may not care about getting Apple TV+, Netflix, unlimited premium data, etc. and rather save the up to $40/month (1 line) to $80/month (4 or 5 lines) excluding taxes/fees.
T-Mobile also offers some prepaid plans for even less.
And that may happen but the point is T-Mobile and Apple still don't know what the usage will be, costs/overhead will be, competition will be, etc. longer term so can't commit to anything as far as pricing beyond Apple offering it "free" for two years on iPhone 14 and T-Mobile offering it "free" (at least initially) on upper tier plans with still no announced prices for cheaper plans.
Again, it's too early to say where things will go with these satellite offerings. Apple and/or T-Mobile may drop the service within two years, they may offer it for "free" with some phones (Apple) or plans (T-Mobile), they may both offer it strictly as an extra cost subscription, etc. Anything can happen but both Apple and T-Mobile need time to assess things to determine the best path for each of them.
Let's not forget about international roaming, which has been amazing for me, and now it's 5G on top of it!
Agreed
I don’t mind at all that it’s paid. Most of us in the outdoors already pay Inreach, Somewhere, Zoleo, etc… however, only emergency contact is not going to attract outdoorsmen/women from giving up those devices and paying another subscription only for an emergency.
I hope they are still working out a deal and will add standard communication in the future. Clearly it has the capability, so that leads me to believe they lack a contract with globalstar. If they are extremely wise, they will do a non subscription service for emergencies, and a 0.2-0.5 cent fee for each non-emergency text. They would make a fortune, and I would be one of the ones happily using it.
I hope they are still working out a deal and will add standard communication in the future. Clearly it has the capability, so that leads me to believe they lack a contract with globalstar. If they are extremely wise, they will do a non subscription service for emergencies, and a 0.2-0.5 cent fee for each non-emergency text. They would make a fortune, and I would be one of the ones happily using it.
you dont have to pay. Right now if you are out of range your phone wont work anyways. So, it is the same concept. it’s not like you cant call 911 when near a cell tower, that remains free.
We've well-plowed this ground, but a few observations (VERY USA CENTRIC):
1 - 911 over cell towers is free with any phone.
How is this possible? Because nearly everyone in the USA is willing to pay $25-$60 dollars per month to call grandma, post to Insta, scroll Reddit on their cellphone. Or they get a freebie phone from .gov. In any event, the entire US cellphone network is fully paid for and making money for the carriers. Allowing unactivated phones to dial 911 is just a throw in, easily absorbed by profitable carriers.
2 - Satellite calls are nearly exclusively emergency.
Sure, Logan may call Shiv on a sat phone to strategize a proxy battle in a $12,300 satellite call. But I'm willing to bet 95+% of satellite calls are EMERGENCY. Making "emergencies" free turns off the near totality of the revenue stream for the satellite companies, and their birds fall into the sea 90 days later.
---
I'd be in favor of two years free with an iPhone Pro purchase, meaning a VERY large chunk of people get it free forever. Then $99 annual emergency access for those eeking out a third or fourth year on a phone but concerned about emergency access.
If you have an old phone, with no satellite plan, and an emergency... You click "OK" on a box that says "Your emergency message will be processed for a one-time $500 fee (click OK/discard message)".
A fee that will be 85% uncollectible, and if you don't put a $500 value on your emergency, that's on you not the company paying tens of millions to keep the satellites working.
1 - 911 over cell towers is free with any phone.
How is this possible? Because nearly everyone in the USA is willing to pay $25-$60 dollars per month to call grandma, post to Insta, scroll Reddit on their cellphone. Or they get a freebie phone from .gov. In any event, the entire US cellphone network is fully paid for and making money for the carriers. Allowing unactivated phones to dial 911 is just a throw in, easily absorbed by profitable carriers.
2 - Satellite calls are nearly exclusively emergency.
Sure, Logan may call Shiv on a sat phone to strategize a proxy battle in a $12,300 satellite call. But I'm willing to bet 95+% of satellite calls are EMERGENCY. Making "emergencies" free turns off the near totality of the revenue stream for the satellite companies, and their birds fall into the sea 90 days later.
---
I'd be in favor of two years free with an iPhone Pro purchase, meaning a VERY large chunk of people get it free forever. Then $99 annual emergency access for those eeking out a third or fourth year on a phone but concerned about emergency access.
If you have an old phone, with no satellite plan, and an emergency... You click "OK" on a box that says "Your emergency message will be processed for a one-time $500 fee (click OK/discard message)".
A fee that will be 85% uncollectible, and if you don't put a $500 value on your emergency, that's on you not the company paying tens of millions to keep the satellites working.
A big reason why 911 is "free" for all is thanks to funds raised by varying taxes/fees charged by the states, not so much because those costs are being absorbed by profitable carriers.
Me too. I think it should be free BUT you abuse it you should be fined hard or worse