So a better question might be will Apple open the service up to other providers, on the belief that no provider wants to make them mad. I still think that ultimately it will be a paid service, the launching of satellites alone would be pretty high not counting whatever the bandwidth costs once its on someones terrestrial network.
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What You Need to Know About Apple's Emergency Satellite Feature for iPhone 14
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Any other satellite device you purchase will also charge a subscription for it's usage. That's just how the system works. Apple is providing a new route/all in one package. I know many hikers who carry a Satellite S-O-S device along with their smartphones. This service will alleviate them having to take both.
“Poor taste” lol.
It doesn’t seem to bother Garmin if I stop paying for my inReach subscription. My choice, my life.
It’s not a phone call!!! Do you know how expensive SAT services are? Apple doesn’t have their own satellites flying in space, they have to pay for somebody to use their satellite.
A pay per use option would be better, even if it were $100… which is probably way cheaper than any subscription would ever be For something hopefully you never have to use
I'd be surprised if Apple didn't send the text to search and rescue, even if you didn't pay. What I think would happen in that case is that you'd probably be charged a fee, and you probably wouldn't be covered by insurance for the cost of the rescue. That can be extremely expensive.
I like the concept, but I won’t pay this as currently described - it’s not as safe as useful as something like the Garmin InReach.
But if it can replace the InReach, which includes some very modest messaging, I will absolutely pay for it.
The ability to check in regularly, convey that you have arrived at your preplanned points, etc. keeps you from HAVING TO USE emergency features. Then you only use SOS features when something has gone terribly wrong.
In a perfect world I’d like to prepay for 40 simple messages before a trip, or prepay 1 - 3 months, and then use the SOS in an emergency only.
But if it can replace the InReach, which includes some very modest messaging, I will absolutely pay for it.
The ability to check in regularly, convey that you have arrived at your preplanned points, etc. keeps you from HAVING TO USE emergency features. Then you only use SOS features when something has gone terribly wrong.
In a perfect world I’d like to prepay for 40 simple messages before a trip, or prepay 1 - 3 months, and then use the SOS in an emergency only.
Not crammed in a phone box without significantly increasing a size. Also inReach has huge antennas. This was never done before in such a small package.This technology has been available for years in other devices. Nothing innovative really. Anyone who treks around in isolated areas have been able to buy devices to use for a long, long time.
Personal Locator Beacons: How to Choose | REI Co-op
Learn the difference between a personal locator beacon (PLB) and a satellite messenger, and which emergency signal device might be right for you.www.rei.com
Meanwhile T-Mobile says they’re offering satellite connectivity through SpaceX at no additional charge, for any 5G device (including older iPhones.)
Seems like T-Mobile and SpaceX’s announcement was vastly bigger and better than Apple’s and Globalstar’s.
Seems like T-Mobile and SpaceX’s announcement was vastly bigger and better than Apple’s and Globalstar’s.
Don’t worry there will an in app subscription option when the emergency arises.
InReach/Garmin do not cover insurance. Example, they will help you out logistically for free but when helicopter comes you will pay 50-$100k+ in US for rescue. Somebody correct me if I am wrong. I was checking this when I was activating my inReach. There are stories on the internet of people paying crazy amounts for helicopter ride. This built in iPhone 14 will be hundred times more useful as you will have it in one device. Unless it doesn’t work as advertised or maybe it doesn’t work outside US/Canada as inReach works everywhere in the world. Also, it’s gonna be interesting how will you travel in some countries where they consider inReach a spy devices and will grow you in prison for having them.
I think it’s innovative to have this functionality in an iPhone. One less item that some people will need to pack or subscribe to for the next 2 years…This technology has been available for years in other devices. Nothing innovative really. Anyone who treks around in isolated areas have been able to buy devices to use for a long, long time.
Personal Locator Beacons: How to Choose | REI Co-op
Learn the difference between a personal locator beacon (PLB) and a satellite messenger, and which emergency signal device might be right for you.
How so? You can only text on both. No calling on either. What does inReach do better or more?
Disappointed about these latest restrictions on Chinese models, getting tired of paying the full price for my devices to only get castrated Chinese versions (already happens with lack of FaceTime Audio). They're probably paranoid users would somehow use satellite connectivity to criticize the Communist Party!
Bummer. Was gonna say that buying from HK would be a good idea as it comes with dual physical SIM. Guess buying in Canada makes more sense now (at least they still come with a physical SIM slot).
No additional charge with their "most popular" (pricier) plans similar to how they include Netflix, Apple TV+, etc. However, it will likely be an extra charge with their cheaper plans. T-Mobile customers will be paying for it one way or another.
That is accurate, helicopter rescue costs can be pretty high. There are insurance plans that cover it for around $30-40 per year. https://my-geos.com/.
Most communist countries such as china, N Korea, Russia etc will not allow you to take these satellite devices into the country. Garmin Inreach subscription plan website shows a list of these countries where their satellites service would not cover.
Of course, it's plausible. They probably would then try to start a class action saying that Apple's marketing made them want to be reckless clowns and their fragile minds made it impossible for them to resist.
Fall detection doesn't require maintaining a wildly expensive device that flies around in orbit.
Starlink seems like 100x better solution without all these workaround that apple had to implement. T-mobile definitely scored a huge win with this exclusive. Apple needs to call up Elon to get that integrated for all.
InReach service will track you automatically every 2 or 10 minutes depending on subscription plan, the tracking data is accessible via website. Followers can also ping your device to get your most current location. You can also send location requests, get weather conditions. Inreach also has better battery life. But the negative is you have to carry an additional device with you, and the other negative is cost of the device and subscription plan.
