Apple could announce its long-rumored satellite tv for pc connectivity characteristic for the iPhone 14 subsequent month, in response to Tim Farrar, a satellite tv for pc communications advisor at California-based analysis agency Telecom, Media and Finance Associates.
In a sequence of tweets, Farrar mentioned T-Cell’s and SpaceX’s satellite tv for pc connectivity announcement yesterday was seemingly meant to pre-empt Apple’s announcement of its personal satellite tv for pc connectivity characteristic for the iPhone in partnership with Globalstar. Apple is holding a media occasion at Steve Jobs Theater on September 7, and the occasion’s “Far Out” tagline and starry sky paintings have fueled hypothesis a couple of satellite tv for pc connectivity announcement.
In February, Globalstar introduced that it acquired 17 new satellites to supply “steady satellite tv for pc providers” to a “potential buyer,” which is perhaps Apple.
Farrar mentioned Apple’s service can be supplied freed from cost for two-way textual content messaging solely at launch and can use current satellite tv for pc spectrum, with no rule adjustments from the FCC required. By comparability, T-Cell and SpaceX plan to leverage T-Cell’s mid-band 5G spectrum and help SMS textual content messages, MMS, and choose messaging apps, however Farrar believes this extra bold strategy will face regulatory hurdles around the globe.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman first reported that Apple was engaged on satellite tv for pc connectivity for iPhones in December 2019. Earlier this yr, Gurman mentioned Apple was nonetheless engaged on the characteristic and mentioned it may very well be prepared for the iPhone 14 later this yr. Gurman claimed the characteristic can be meant to be used in emergency conditions, permitting iPhone customers to report emergencies to authorities and ship quick textual content messages to emergency contacts, and he added that the performance may be obtainable on a brand new Apple Watch.
iPhones would wish a particular modem chip to connect with satellites, in response to Gurman, suggesting the characteristic is perhaps appropriate with the iPhone 14 and newer solely. By comparability, T-Cell mentioned the “overwhelming majority of smartphones” already on its community would be capable to connect with SpaceX’s satellites with their current mobile chips.
Extra particulars about Apple’s rumored satellite tv for pc connectivity characteristic, comparable to whether or not the characteristic can be restricted to the U.S. or obtainable globally, stay unknown. Apple’s media occasion begins on September 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time and MacRumors may have complete protection of every little thing introduced, so make sure to observe alongside then.