Android May Oneup One Of The IPhone's Signature New Features Soon — Here's How
Android 14 will be released later this fall, and one new feature we're hoping for is satellite SOS messaging support, which a new leak suggests will be much more reliable than what Apple introduced in the iPhone 14.
According to a few lines of Android 14 code spotted by developer Neil Rahmouni, the key to Google's adoption is a partnership with Garmin's existing satellite emergency messaging system, which could make Android available in more than 150 countries (via SamMobile).
When Apple announced satellite SOS messaging last year, we were a bit dismissive of the feature, but that was partly down to Apple's weird marketing, a prime example of which was the bear that entered the cabin. I understand that you tried to use a lighter tone during your speech, but perhaps you underestimated its usefulness.
Since then, we've seen it save lives during the Maui wildfires and prove its invaluable value in the real world. However, coverage is limited as the feature only works in 14 countries and does not work above the 62nd parallel of northern Canada or Alaska. Part of the benefits of satellite communications must be truly global coverage, and it looks like Android can achieve that.
The lines of Android 14 code above show that Google relies on Garmin Response, which in turn uses Iridium's low-orbit satellite network to provide global emergency SOS coverage in more than 150 countries. This improvement is more than 10 times larger than Apple's current offering.
I recently spent a week in Montana and Wyoming and frequently lost cell phone coverage while walking and driving. Having the iPhone 14 Pro gave me a little more confidence, so it's certainly attractive to imagine such global acceptance.
Of course, I hope you never need to use any of these features, but if I'm ever in a situation where I need to use them, the last thing I want to see is an apology message because satellite service is unavailable. : available in my region.
Now the missing piece of the puzzle remains. Which Android phones support satellite news in terms of software and hardware? We've heard that Google and Samsung are likely to be among the first, so perhaps the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24, which are expected to launch in October and January respectively.
