Perhaps not as exciting to the average consumer as the Dynamic Island appears to be, Apple added satellite connectivity to all four iPhone 14 models. The feature will allow users to send out emergency messages even when they are out of cellular or Wi-Fi range. While this writer is guilty of this too, perhaps we should be more excited about satellite connectivity than how Apple made the notch useful.
Apple reserved a large percentage of satellite provider Globalstar’s capacity
Also capable of blocking satellite signals are hills or mountains, canyons, and tall structures. And if you need to turn left or right, directions on your iPhone’s screen will tell you what to do. Once you’re connected to a satellite, your handset will maintain this connection even if the screen is locked.
Apple suggests that in an emergency, you should first try to call for help. If you can’t get a call to go through, tap on Emergency Text via Satellite. You’ll be asked some questions about the emergency. Your message is sent to an emergency dispatch center where the appropriate help is ordered.
Apple and Qualcomm will continue to be partners for the foreseeable future
Interestingly, Apple was planning to design its own modem chip and use it in 80% of the 2023 iPhone handsets. But Qualcomm put the kibosh on these plans thanks to a couple of its patents. So as we wrote back in July, “Qualcomm will now supply Apple with 100% of the 5G modems for the 2023 iPhone 15 line leaving Apple with a bad taste in its mouth.”
Keep in mind that Apple spent $1 billion, a large sum for Apple to spend on a single acquisition, to purchase Intel’s smartphone modem business. Additionally, after Apple reached a settlement with Qualcomm allowing all legal action between the pair to be dropped, it was assumed that Apple would continue to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G modem chips for a few years while designing its in-house component.
Right now, Qualcomm is sitting in the catbird’s seat. Unless Apple can discover a way around the aforementioned patents, Qualcomm will continue to supply Apple with 5G modems for the iPhone for the foreseeable future. It’s widely believed that Qualcomm delivers the best 5G modems for smartphones.
