Photo: Apple / Collage
Apple has just launched the iPhone 14 and the Watch Series 8 with interesting new features, including the option to connect to satellites in emergencies to send distress signals. Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX is one of the companies that want to supply satellite services to Apple.
SpaceX recently partnered with T-Mobile to offer direct phone-to-satellite connectivity for its subscribers. This new feature makes use of the capabilities of the Starlink V.2 satellites, which allows them to exchange signals directly with mobile devices. This is very useful for cellphone users, who can rely on satellite connectivity where there’s no GSM coverage. Of course, the bandwidth is very limited, but it’s enough to exchange short messages and even voice calls in remote areas.
Interestingly, Apple launched the iPhone 14 shortly after that with a similar feature, although geared towards safety-conscious customers. Apple’s “SOS via satellite” allows iPhones to communicate directly with satellites to send emergency SOS signals. Unlike T-Mobile’s service, which will be available on many phones, Apple’s SOS via satellite only works on iPhone 14. This points to the fact that Apple adopts a different technology.
It wasn’t long before Elon Musk fans found a possible connection between the two announcements. “Hopefully @apple partners with @Spacex Starlink to help connectivity with the new iPhone 14 via Emergency SOS with the satellites,” wrote @BLKMDL3 on Twitter. Elon Musk’s reply revealed the talks SpaceX is having with Apple to bring Starlink connectivity to iPhone users.
“We’ve had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity,” Musk replied. “iPhone team is obv super smart. For sure, closing link from space to phone will work best if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower.”
This reveals another interesting detail that separates what T-Mobile is doing from what Apple wants to do. T-Mobile terminals don’t need to be adapted to use the satellite connection because the Starlink satellites “purely emulate” cell towers. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 works natively with the “space-based signals“ at the software and hardware level and doesn’t need Starlink’s cell-tower emulation.
But Elon Musk’s tweet also reveals that Apple is only a potential customer for now. Indeed, based on regulatory filings, Apple partnered with Globalstar Inc to use their satellite infrastructure. Globalstar operates low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites which promise a faster connection.
According to WSJ, Globalstar will allocate 85% of its “current and future network capacity” to support the service. In return, Apple will cover 95% of the capital expenditures made by Globalstar to build up its network. If this sounds like Apple building its own satellite network, that’s precisely what it means. So chances are that Apple and SpaceX will never be partners but rivals.
Interestingly, Apple launched the iPhone 14 shortly after that with a similar feature, although geared towards safety-conscious customers. Apple’s “SOS via satellite” allows iPhones to communicate directly with satellites to send emergency SOS signals. Unlike T-Mobile’s service, which will be available on many phones, Apple’s SOS via satellite only works on iPhone 14. This points to the fact that Apple adopts a different technology.
It wasn’t long before Elon Musk fans found a possible connection between the two announcements. “Hopefully @apple partners with @Spacex Starlink to help connectivity with the new iPhone 14 via Emergency SOS with the satellites,” wrote @BLKMDL3 on Twitter. Elon Musk’s reply revealed the talks SpaceX is having with Apple to bring Starlink connectivity to iPhone users.
“We’ve had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity,” Musk replied. “iPhone team is obv super smart. For sure, closing link from space to phone will work best if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower.”
This reveals another interesting detail that separates what T-Mobile is doing from what Apple wants to do. T-Mobile terminals don’t need to be adapted to use the satellite connection because the Starlink satellites “purely emulate” cell towers. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 works natively with the “space-based signals“ at the software and hardware level and doesn’t need Starlink’s cell-tower emulation.
But Elon Musk’s tweet also reveals that Apple is only a potential customer for now. Indeed, based on regulatory filings, Apple partnered with Globalstar Inc to use their satellite infrastructure. Globalstar operates low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites which promise a faster connection.
According to WSJ, Globalstar will allocate 85% of its “current and future network capacity” to support the service. In return, Apple will cover 95% of the capital expenditures made by Globalstar to build up its network. If this sounds like Apple building its own satellite network, that’s precisely what it means. So chances are that Apple and SpaceX will never be partners but rivals.
We’ve had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity. iPhone team is obv super smart.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 8, 2022
For sure, closing link from space to phone will work best if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower.
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