“Far Out” Event Could Take Apple Communications Off-Planet
29 AUGUST 2022 - Your next iPhone could be a space phone. There are a couple of stories out there reenforcing the possibility that iPhone 14 and perhaps an upcoming Apple Watch will have satellite capability.
The Mac Observer ran a report late last week highlighting a new offering between T-Mobile and SpaceX. According to the piece, the “Uncarrier revealed it will bring direct satellite connectivity for voice, text messaging, and MMS to all phones on its network.” Referred to as “Coverage Above and Beyond,” T-Mobile’s press release on the plan points out that “well over half a million square miles of the U.S. in addition to vast stretches of ocean are untouched by cell signals … from ANY provider.” They are looking to make such dead zones a thing of the past. TMO says the idea is not streaming movies on top of old Smoky. Rather, it’s meant to “offer life-saving connectivity…”
Great for T-Mobile, but what about iPhone owners on other networks? For that, TMO points to a rumor from earlier this year that had Globalstar announcing the acquisition of 17 new satellites with the option to buy nine more. The piece says the satellites “were intended to provide ‘continuous satellite services’ for a ‘potential customer,’” which the piece sees as potentially Apple.
But there is “one more thing…” the invitation to next week’s “Far Out” media event. The invitation has a total space theme - putting Apple (in the form of its logo) literally among the stars.
Kicking that around, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman used part of Sunday’s Power On newsletter to fold together the T-Mobile/SpaceX news, the Globalstar speculation, and the “Far Out” invitation art to admit the possibility of some sort of satellite connectivity for both the next round of iPhones and the rumored Apple Watch Pro.
While it might be geared at emergency services to start, other services would likely make the scene at some point. Quoting Gurman:
The prospect of having an iPhone that can reach first responders without a cellular connection is only the beginning of what Apple is planning. Ultimately, users could have global internet access and be able to make regular phone calls over satellite links. The combination of speedy 5G networks and satellite service could one day turn the iPhone into the most powerful global communications device available.
That said, Gurman doesn’t seem ready to go all-in on any satellite announcement this week. Quoting his post again:
It’s not clear if Apple will indeed launch this kind of functionality on Sept. 7 or if the features are more far out (sorry). But GlobalStar Inc., the long-rumored partner for Apple’s satellite push, has spent much of this year laying the groundwork for a major new initiative.
