Why Apple's new emergency SOS via satellite service for iPhone 14 is a 'big deal'

Apple launched a new range of smartphones on Wednesday (September 7) with a stunning and most-talked about Emergency SOS via satellite feature.

Despite inflation and supply chain woes, Apple has launched the iPhone 14 models at prices similar to recent models. Apple has also unveiled a premium digital watch with a price tag to match.

Apple has debuted iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max featuring the Always-On display, the first-ever 48MP camera on iPhone, crash detection, Emergency SOS via satellite and an innovative new way to receive notifications and activities with the Dynamic Island.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

ALSO READ |Apple launches new line of smartwatches: Series 8, new SE and Ultra

Ever since it was announced, people are curious about the Emergency SOS via satellite feature. As quoted by news agency Reuters, Bob O'Donnell, a technalysis researcher, said, "Well I think the biggest news for me was the release of the satellite service for iPhone 14. There's been rumors about this honestly for about a year and a half. And it wasn't clear whether they were going to actually do it."

"But from that opening video where they showed the satellite in the sky, I was like, okay, I'm pretty sure it's going to come today. And sure enough it did. It's not something that everybody needs," he added.

"But I think it's a thing that everybody would like to have because you never know when you're going to get caught in a particular situation and knowing that you have that safety net to potentially get in contact with someone if you are god forbid stuck, it's a big deal," Bob added.

ALSO READ |Hong Kong police to get ‘Iron Man’ hi-tech glasses as part of tech upgrade initiative

What do we know about the Emergency SOS service?

The company said that its satellite SOS service will work with emergency responders and in some situations, the users will be able to use its FindMy app to share their location via satellite when they have no other connectivity.

When a user has to send an emergency message and she/he is out of range of WiFi or cellular, satellite connectivity can be used.

Although Apple stated that thesatellite SOS servicewas designed for use in open spaces when the skies wereclear. Hence, the performance may be impacted if there are trees or buildings that are nearby.

Apple selected Globalstaras its partner for the satellite SOS service feature.

Price: Starts at $799 for iPhone 14, $899 for iPhone 14 Plus, $999 for iPhone 14 Pro and $1,099 for iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Emergency SOS. Image credit: Apple

To use the satellite service, the user will basically need to point their iPhone at the exact location of a satellite passing by overhead.

The service will be free for two years with the iPhone 14, but Apple did not say what would happen after that period.

It its blog, Apple said, "This breakthrough technology also allows users to manually share their location over satellite with Find My when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, providing a sense of security when hiking or camping off the grid."

The company said that theEmergency SOS via satellite will be available to users in the US and Canada in November.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.