Apple is adding two satellite-based safety features to future iPhones, according to inside infopublished by Bloomberg.
One is for reporting emergencies, kind of like a more-focused 911 call, only without the voice part.
The other will let iPhone users send an emergency SMS to a pre-selected contact.
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“Aside from that, the feature would allow first responders to be contacted in locations with poor coverage.
Messages will be restricted in length and appear in gray message bubbles, not blue or green.
When there is no signal, users will be able to text emergency agencies and emergency contacts via satellite.
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The beauty of this system is that it doesnt require any data pipe connection to work.
The message would be delivered even if the recipients phone was set to Do Not Disturb mode.
The second feature lets you report an emergency to the proper authorities.
GPS works like a lighthouseGPS satellites continually ping out radio signals, which your rig can detect.
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Using the unique signals from several satellites, it triangulates your position.
This makes it impossible to “go off the grid,” which can be good and bad.
A constant connection like we use with 4G and 5G would be impractical over such low-bandwidth networks.
What Is It Good for?
But really, anyone can find themselves stuck without any way to contact people in an emergency.
For that, youll need a monthly subscription plan.
Thats one of the reasons for going off-grid on an adventuring vacation.
But getting out of trouble, especially in this limited way, doesnt compromise that feeling of peaceful disconnection.
