Just as a newly granted patent was issued today to Apple covering the potential for future satellite services, Apple UK announced that the iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite service will be available in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Announcing availability in France, an innovative technology from Apple that allows users to message emergency services even when they are out of cell or Wi-Fi range. Plus, if you’re traveling in an area where your phone or his Wi-Fi isn’t covered and you want to reassure a friend or family member of your whereabouts, open the Find My app and find out your location via satellite. can now be shared.
All models in the iPhone 14 lineup (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max) connect directly to satellite through a combination of custom-designed components and deeply integrated software. Emergency SOS via Satellite builds on existing features that are essential for iPhone users, such as Emergency SOS, Medical ID, Emergency Contacts, and Location Finding, by connecting to satellites to reach emergency services, family, and friends. Provides the ability to share important information with This innovative service connects users to a relay center staffed by Apple-trained emergency response experts. The transit center is ready to contact Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) (Emergency Services Call Centers) on your behalf for any assistance you may need.
“Emergency SOS via satellite makes emergency communications via satellite more accessible and exciting,” said Gary Machado, CEO of the European Emergency Number Association. “In practice, this means more people will be able to call 912 if they don’t have mobile coverage and need urgent help. We are confident that it will be of great help to emergency services dealing with complex rescues.”
“Being able to call 999 or 112 using a satellite connection when there’s no cell or Wi-Fi coverage is the break Apple brought to the general public with the iPhone 14,” said John Anthony of the British Public Safety Telecommunications Association. It’s through,” he said. bureaucratic president. “This feature means that emergency services can be alerted and do their job more effectively when it was previously not possible. Part of it is being able to share it with those in charge.Emergencies.Ultimately, this can help save lives.”
How emergency SOS via satellite works
iPhone can quickly and easily call emergency services if a user needs help, even if they can’t dial 112, by pressing and holding the power and volume buttons or pressing the power button five times quickly. can be applied. With emergency SOS via satellite, introduced in the iPhone 14 lineup, when a user is unable to reach emergency services due to unavailability of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, an easy-to-use interface appears on the iPhone that users can use. A satellite connection that can help you. A short survey is displayed and users can answer important questions with just a few taps. This is sent to the dispatcher on the first message to help them quickly understand the user’s situation and location. Apple worked closely with experts to review standard questions and protocols to identify the most common reasons for calling emergency services.
Following the survey, an intuitive interface guides users where to connect their iPhone and sends the first message. This message contains the user’s survey responses. Location including altitude. iPhone battery level; and Medical ID (if enabled). Surveys and follow-up messages are relayed directly via satellite to relay centers staffed by Apple-trained experts who can call for help on your behalf. Transcripts can also be shared with the user’s emergency contacts to provide information.
“Emergency SOS via satellite will improve the situation for people in trouble outside cell or Wi-Fi coverage, allowing them to contact emergency services and get help in an emergency.” , said Jan Tino Demel of the Control Center Expert Group. Chairman of the Technical and Emergency Call Committee. “This feature works out-of-the-box with no adjustments to existing systems. With highly qualified, multilingual emergency professionals, Apple can route emergency calls to the responsible rescue center or police control center. Without a doubt, this can save lives.”
“Emergency SOS via satellite is a major innovation that will save lives by helping iPhone 14 users in remote areas who would otherwise be unable to reach emergency services,” said Head of Emergency Call Answering Services at BT Ireland. Michael Kelly said. “Apple has implemented a model that emergency operators are familiar with, so operators and emergency services his partners can expect a seamless rollout.”
Satellites move fast, have low bandwidth, and are more than 1,000 kilometers from Earth, so even short messages can take minutes to get through. Apple designed and built custom components and software that allow the iPhone 14 to connect to the satellite’s unique frequencies without bulky antennas.Text compression algorithms were also developed to reduce the average message size by a third. and made the experience as fast as possible. Emergency SOS via satellite allows users to send and receive messages in just 15 seconds in sunny conditions. Experience the process and familiarize yourself with the service without calling emergency services.
For users who are out of cell or Wi-Fi range and have not experienced an emergency, this advanced technology also allows Find My to share their location via satellite. With the Find My app, users can[Me]Open the tab, swipe up, Via Satellite[My Location]to display[Send My Location]Tap. Satellite connectivity in the iPhone 14 lineup also works with other safety features available on iPhone and Apple Watch, such as collision detection and drop detection.
availability
- Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My via satellite are currently available in France, Germany, Ireland and the UK. More countries will be supported next year. Free for 2 years from the time you activate your new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- Satellite Emergency SOS and Satellite Find Me require iOS 16.1 or later.
- With iOS 16.2, if a call goes through due to an unavailable cellular or Wi-Fi connection, users dialing a local emergency services number will be automatically routed to the European emergency number 112 to report an emergency. will be available. Send an SOS via satellite without dialing 112.
See Apple’s full UK press release for more graphics.