Source: Computer Newspaper
Recently, it was reported that Apple plans to bring satellite connectivity to apple watches in the future, so that emergency text messages and SOS distress functions can be implemented directly on the wearer's wrist.
At the same time, foreign media reported that the satellite connection function may be launched as early as this year's iPhone 14 series, and then it will be applied to apple watch.
Satellite connectivity allows iPhone users to send short text messages to emergency services and contacts over a satellite network without having to go through an operator. Even where there is no 4G or 5G coverage, satellite services can be used to stay online.
However, this feature is only for emergencies, such as reporting crisis events to the relevant authorities, such as car accidents, ship crashes or aircraft crashes.
More importantly, whether this function can be used properly depends on whether local regulations allow it or whether the satellite location is covered.
In fact, as early as last year, before the release of the iPhone 13, there were rumors that Apple would launch LEO low-orbit satellite communication or satellite connection functions on the new iPhone.
As you can see, the iPhone 13 does not use satellite communication functions.
News about Apple's satellite communication function began to spread last month, and it was revealed that Apple was still developing the function without dying, and the internal code name was "Stewie". Rumors were that it was unclear whether satellite communications could catch up with the iPhone 14, but Apple had been testing prototypes that could send text messages via satellites.
So how likely are the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch to use satellite communication?
It should be noted that even if it can be achieved in the end, the domestic fruit fans are afraid to be disappointed, because in the mainland, only manufacturers with communication licenses can provide access services and communication services, while Apple has not obtained telecom operator qualifications in China, so the satellite calls of the National Bank version of the iPhone will most likely be cancelled or blocked.
In the eyes of more professionals, about the iPhone support satellite phone breaking news, just look at it.
First of all, the size of the iPhone can not fit the satellite dish. Some astronauts have analyzed that whether satellite communication can be achieved depends on signal strength, antenna gain, transmitted signal power, receiver sensitivity, etc., and it is difficult to directly support low-orbit satellite communication with the antenna size and power of the iPhone, which can be known by comparing the antenna size of the star chain receiver and the Motorola Iridium mobile phone.
"Starlink" satellite broadband service supporting receiver image network
Iridium mobile phones that support satellite communication Image source network
Can you allow your phone to have such a long antenna?
In addition, when the iPhone 13 was rumored to support satellite communication last year, it was widely speculated that its cooperation with satellite communication company Globalstar (Globalstar) was led by Qualcomm and had members in various major countries around the world, such as our China Telecom.
However, at present, the global satellite has only deployed 24 communication satellites in low Earth orbit, and at this stage, satellite communication can only be achieved in a specific area, and it is not yet possible to achieve global coverage.
In addition, according to the characteristics of the global satellite system, allowing 20 users of the same frequency, theoretically the maximum call of 100,000 people, if the iPhone with sales of more than one billion uses this satellite communication function, it may be blocked and paralyzed in minutes.
Therefore, as far as the current situation is concerned, the iPhone "satellite phone" has been relatively hanging in the past two years.
Why is it that after a year, the rumors of Apple's satellite communication function have returned? Perhaps a diagram can explain:
It is reported that before the rumors of iPhone 13 support satellite communications came out, Globalstar has been sluggish, and the financial report is on the verge of loss or even bankruptcy.
What do you think about that?