- Bloomberg Apple expert Mark Gurman has reported on rumors about upcoming satellite connectivity updates for the iPhone.
- Satellite connection added for emergencies with the iPhone 14 series
- There is no timeline yet for the rumored updates
Apple made a big deal of the iPhone’s new satellite capabilities when they launched the iPhone 14 series in 2022; Apple’s September event of that year was titled “Far Out” and its promotional materials had a spacey aesthetic.
However, satellite connectivity was not as important as some fans expected at launch, with functionality limited to emergency situations. And while Apple has improved its capabilities with each subsequent iPhone release, satellite messaging and calling is still limited to off-network communications and emergencies.
However, according to Mark Gurman, Bloomberg’s resident Apple expert and the most authoritative Apple rumor source on the scene, Apple could be working to change this by expanding the iPhone’s satellite capabilities.
Although the rumored features are varied and have no clear timeline, Gurman’s report suggests that Apple could be looking to integrate satellite connectivity as a more typical form of network connection, alongside traditional cellular networks.
Rumored new iPhone satellite features
As mentioned, Gurman’s report mentions a handful of new satellite features.
Personally, I think the improvements rumored to have the most impact are the simplest: enabling “natural use” and increasing messaging capabilities.
Here, “natural use” refers to the ability to use satellite connectivity in a variety of scenarios, such as in a vehicle or while the phone is in your pocket. Today, satellite connectivity requires an unobstructed view of the sky. And Gurman adds that Apple is interested in adding image sharing over a satellite connection, improving the current text-only service.
To support this, Apple could add a satellite connection over 5G, allowing iPhones to request satellite information from 5G cell towers.
There could also be deeper satellite integration with new and existing apps, as Apple is reportedly working on satellite maps in Apple Maps, as well as a satellite API for third-party app developers to use.
Connectivity complications
This is all quite exciting but, as is often the case with technological development, it is far from simple. Gurman mentions possible internal tensions at Apple over whether the company acts, or should act, as an operator when it comes to satellite communications.
Additionally, Apple relies on a company called Globalstar for its satellite connectivity, which is itself considering a sale, with SpaceX being a potential buyer. Naturally, Apple would be keen to avoid dependence on SpaceX, owned by rival tech mogul Elon Musk, so retaining its own satellite technology wherever possible makes some sense.
And, as Gurman points out, Apple maintaining its own satellite capabilities would give Cupertino a better foothold when the technology becomes more common.
Personally, I think Apple has been on a roll when it comes to addressing current consumer needs lately (just look at the iPhone 17, which finally ticks all the boxes for a value-for-money flagship smartphone), but I’m sure the company’s vast resources make this kind of forward-thinking development viable.
And the idea of having a network connection virtually anywhere on Earth sounds like a boost for security, convenience and travel.
Gurman’s report also touched on the rumored $1 billion deal between Apple and Google to equip the long-revamped Siri with Google Gemini, which was a surprise given Apple’s previous public partnership with OpenAI; Be sure to check out our coverage for a full breakdown.
Would you use satellite connectivity if Apple improved it? Let us know in the comments below.
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