In late 2022, Apple introduced a similar feature.
Tl;dr
- Google Pixel 9 and Google Fold could have an emergency satellite communication feature.
- This feature might first be available to T-Mobile customers.
- There are doubts about the cost for users.
- Google would be following Apple’s lead, who launched a similar feature in 2022.
A significant advancement for emergency connectivity
If the digital world sometimes seems entirely connected, anyone who has been left without a network knows this is not entirely true. According to Kamila Wojciechowska from Android Authority, a solution could emerge with the Google Pixel 9 series and the next-generation Google Fold, offering an emergency satellite communication feature.
Space and network: a promising collaboration
Satellite messaging could initially be made available to T-Mobile customers, a network that has partnered with SpaceX. This feature might raise questions such as “What is the best description of your situation?” and “Are there weapons involved?” However, it raises the question of whether this option will be free for the users concerned. So far, T-Mobile has not confirmed the price of this service in its previous announcements.
Following Apple’s lead: a trend to watch?
If these reports are accurate, Google would be following a path already taken by Apple. Indeed, the tech giant launched its own satellite emergency call system for iPhone 14 users in late 2022 in countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Ireland; this tool has since been extended to the iPhone 15 and to countries like Australia and New Zealand. This represents a significant advancement for areas where mobile phone service is scarce, like the vast Australian and New Zealand wilderness.
While these predictions are still in the rumor stage, they signify a true technological revolution and address the growing need for total connectivity, even in the most remote areas.