{"id":198205,"date":"2025-11-10T10:44:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T15:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/?p=198205"},"modified":"2025-11-10T10:44:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T15:44:02","slug":"apple-preps-major-new-satellite-connectivity-features-for-iphones-and-apple-watches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/2025\/11\/apple-preps-major-new-satellite-connectivity-features-for-iphones-and-apple-watches\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple preps major new satellite connectivity features for iPhones and Apple Watches"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apple introduced Emergency SOS via Satellite with the iPhone 14 in 2022, enabling users without cellular coverage to reach emergency responders through satellite \u2014 but it was only the first step.<\/p>\n

MarkGurman for Bloomberg News<\/a>:
\u200e<\/p>\n

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Since then, Apple has steadily expanded its satellite offerings. In 2023, it added roadside assistance via AAA for stranded drivers, and more recently, it enabled users to send and receive text messages \u2014 not just for emergencies \u2014 when off the grid.<\/p>\n

The service links compatible iPhones \u2014 and now the Apple Watch Ultra 3 \u2014 to a satellite network run by Globalstar\u2026 But the competitive landscape is shifting. Elon Musk\u2019s Space Exploration Technologies Corp., owner of Starlink, has become a major force in satellite communications and forged a wide-ranging partnership with T-Mobile US Inc.<\/p>\n

A fast-changing industry could ultimately force Apple to change its approach. For one, Globalstar is exploring a potential sale. And Musk\u2019s SpaceX is seen as a possible acquirer.<\/p>\n

If SpaceX ultimately acquires Globalstar, those enhancements could roll out more quickly than otherwise possible. But such a deal would also force Apple to rethink its business model and long-term strategy for satellite services.<\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s approach has been to own a core set of features and offer them at no cost \u2014 from Emergency SOS to the upcoming enhancements \u2014 as a way to drive iPhone sales, encourage upgrades and keep users within its ecosystem. For more advanced capabilities, Apple plans to let customers pay carriers, SpaceX or other satellite providers directly. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u200e
Apple would do well to think apolitically and ink deals to use both SpaceX\u2019s superior Starlink satellite connectivity and xAI\u2019s outstanding Grok in Apple Intelligence.<\/p>\n

iPhone users, including non-T-Mobile subscribers, can add T-Satellite with Starlink by calling 1-844-638-8913 or visiting a T-Mobile retail store. More info here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Note: On February 28, 2023, Apple lent Globalstar $252 million<\/a> to help cover upfront costs for replenishing its low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation to support Apple\u2019s \u201cEmergency SOS via satellite.\u201d<\/p>\n

See also:
\u2022 As Elon Musk\u2019s SpaceX delivers real satellite connectivity to smartphones, Apple might be having second thoughts about propping up Globalstar<\/a> \u2013 October 6, 2025
\u2022 Apple to invest up to $1.5 billion more in Globalstar for satellite coverage expansion<\/a> \u2013 November 1, 2024
\u2022 As Elon Musk\u2019s SpaceX delivers real satellite connectivity to smartphones, Apple might be having second thoughts about propping up Globalstar<\/a> \u2013 October 6, 2025<\/p>\n

\n

\u200e <\/p>\n

<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/ins> <\/div>\n

Source link: https:\/\/macdailynews.com\/2025\/11\/10\/apple-preps-major-new-satellite-connectivity-features-for-iphones-and-apple-watches\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Apple introduced Emergency SOS via Satellite with the iPhone 14 in 2022, enabling users without cellular coverage to reach emergency responders through satellite \u2014 but it was only the first step. MarkGurman for Bloomberg News: \u200e Since then, Apple has steadily expanded its satellite offerings. In 2023, it added roadside assistance via AAA for stranded…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":32045,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-198205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allnews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=198205"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":198206,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198205\/revisions\/198206"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=198205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=198205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=198205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}