Apple’s iPhone will soon be able to do a lot more without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
According to a new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is working on several new features that rely on satellite connectivity alone. This includes navigation in Apple Maps and sending photos via messages, all via satellite connection. An API is also coming, allowing third-party developers to add satellite connectivity into their apps, the report said.
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Apple originally launched its first satellite connectivity features for the iPhone in 2024 with the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro. The Emergency SOS feature allows iPhone users to send a distress message via satellite, when cellular and Wi-Fi aren’t available.
That feature requires an unobstructed view of the sky, but that might also be changing. Gurman claims Apple is working on satellite connectivity even when the iPhone is in a pocket, a car, or indoors.
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Finally, the report claims that starting next year, the iPhone is getting support for 5G NTN (non-terrestrial networks), a system which integrates 5G with satellites to extend wireless coverage farther than what can be achieved with standard cellular towers.
More advanced, data-intensive stuff such as phone or video calls, as well as web browsing via satellite, doesn’t seem to be a part of Apple’s immediate plans.
The slightly less good news for iPhone users is the cost of these new services. Right now, features such as Emergency SOS are free, but in the future, more advanced capabilities might come at a cost, which users will pay to satellite carriers directly.
For its current satellite connectivity features, Apple works with American telecommunications company Globalstar. The new features mentioned in the report would require major upgrades to Globalstar’s infrastructure; however, should Elon Musk’s SpaceX acquire Globalstar (a deal between the two companies is reportedly in early stages) the new features could roll out faster.
