The iPhone 13’s rumored satellite tv for pc hyperlink sounds prefer it’s only for emergencies

Apple plans to allow you to join your iPhone to satellites so you’ll be able to contact emergency providers in areas that don’t have mobile protection, in keeping with a brand new Bloomberg report. Bloomberg’s article was revealed after Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated Sunday that the iPhone 13 could possibly make satellite tv for pc calls. Kuo usually reveals particulars about Apple’s plans earlier than the corporate formally pronounces them, however Bloomberg’s sources point out that Apple’s method for iPhone satellite tv for pc connectivity could also be extra restricted to begin.

One function, known as Emergency Message by way of Satellite tv for pc, will allow you to textual content emergency providers and emergency contacts once you don’t have a cell sign by harnessing a satellite tv for pc community, in keeping with Bloomberg. These messages can have a size restrict and be represented as a gray bubble as an alternative of the inexperienced used for SMS messages and the blue used for iMessages. And once you’re sending considered one of these messages to an emergency contact, it should reportedly push by means of even when they’ve Do Not Disturb mode turned on, which might assist be sure that your message is seen.

One other function will let customers report emergencies. “The cellphone will ask what sort of emergency is going on, reminiscent of whether or not it includes a automobile, boat, airplane or hearth,” Bloomberg studies. You’ll additionally have the ability to ship data reminiscent of your location and your Medical ID (which you’ll arrange within the Well being app). You may additionally have the ability to notify emergency contacts on the similar time you report an emergency.

Bloomberg studies that the subsequent iPhone might need the required {hardware} to make satellite tv for pc calls. However a source tells Bloomberg that the brand new options most likely received’t be prepared earlier than subsequent 12 months, throwing chilly water on the concept you would possibly have the ability to use them as quickly as you purchase the subsequent iPhone.

Apple didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The brand new satellite tv for pc hyperlink options, if they’re launched, might assist ease fears about with the ability to contact emergency providers in a time of want or once you’re away from a mobile community. There’s additionally the likelihood the options might present one other approach to get in contact with emergency providers within the occasion of 911 outages, which do occur often.