The iPhone 14 launch conference ended yesterday (you can read the summary from HereThe company announced the satellite communication technology, which will be available on every iPhone 14 lineup, and as Apple indicated, this feature will allow sending distress messages in emergency situations when the iPhone is outside the range of the cellular network. .


What is the advantage of satellite communication

Apple introduced this feature to be used under exceptional circumstances and when there are no other means to access emergency services such as you are in a place outside cellular coverage and Wi-Fi networks, then when you turn on the satellite feature, your iPhone will try to find The nearest satellite to you and contact them in order to help you send a rescue message.

Emergency SOS via satellite will be available to users in the US and Canada in November, and the service will be free for two years

When using the satellite calling feature, you should be aware that it is completely different from the experience of transmitting and receiving over a telephone network.

Under normal conditions and when the sky is clear, the message will take 15 seconds to send and may need more than a minute to send when there are obstacles near you such as trees, clouds or buildings, and sometimes you may not be able to connect to the satellite due to other factors such as Message length, satellite network status and availability.


How does the satellite communication feature work?

You cannot make phone calls using the satellite calling feature but you can only send SMS.

Before turning on the feature, you will need to answer a few questions to describe your condition and to assess your situation after which the iPhone will send your answers and share your medical ID, location and remaining battery life to an emergency staff once you call, and to facilitate the arrival of your message, Apple used a compression algorithm that makes messages Scripts are XNUMX times smaller to speed up communication as much as possible.

Your text message will be sent directly to the emergency center closest to your location and if that center does not support messaging communication it will be sent to a relay center with Apple trained professionals who will be able to place an emergency call on your behalf.


How to use the satellite calling feature

If you need to send an emergency distress message, follow these steps:

  • Hold the iPhone normally, you don't need to raise your arm.
  • Do not put the device in your pocket or backpack.
  • Make sure you are outside and see the sky clearly.
  • Stay away from obstacles such as trees, mountains, hills, valleys, and nearby buildings.
  • Don't forget to follow the on-screen instructions to get a better signal.
  • The device remains connected to the satellite even if the screen is locked.

Price and availability

Apple explained that the satellite connection will be free for iPhone 14 users for two years, which means that it will be a paid subscription, but the company did not provide any details about the price of subscription to the feature, but the latest device of Global Star (Spot X) can connect to the satellite It's $250 and comes with a black and white screen and very limited functionality.

Finally, the feature will be available in November in only two countries which are the US and Canada for the time being and can be used by travelers visiting the US and Canada.

What do you think of the satellite calling feature, tell us in the comments

Source:

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