Android First Satellite Phone to Rival iPhones
Apple introduced Emergency SOS last year, allowing the iPhone 14 to send emergency texts via satellites. Qualcomm now offers Android satellite messaging. Snapdragon Satellite lets devices with X70 modems connect to satellites to send messages when there's no cellular signal.
A partnership with Iridium will bring the feature to phones in the second half of 2023. The partnership allows Android phones with the X70 modem and Qualcomm's SOC to connect to Iridium's satellite network for off-grid texting in emergencies and non-emergencies.
These features, like most Qualcomm tech, will be designed by phone makers. Device makers can customise satellite messaging, especially for person-to-person texts. Qualcomm previewed the technology at CES, giving us a good idea of its functionality.
Satellite messaging, like Apple's Emergency SOS, requires a clear sky. When enabled, an on-screen message will guide you to a satellite.
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