At the 2024 WWDC keynote, Apple announced a new and revolutionary addition to their emergency SOS feature – “Messages via Satellite.” This feature, much like the existing SOS feature, will be a lifesaver for many who find themselves in areas with no signal. And now, not only will the feature be available for phone calls, but also for iMessage and SMS communication.
“When you have no signal — otherwise the phone will use that — you’ll be given the option to find a satellite to relay the data. You’ll have to keep the phone pointed in the right direction while you do it, as an overlay above your messages will remind you.”
The details of this new feature were kept under wraps during the presentation, leaving people wondering about its limitations and potential charges. However, it seems that the service will be unrestricted and available for free.
But, as with most things, there are some limitations. While this feature will allow for sending text messages, sending images is still not possible due to high data consumption. However, if you are communicating with someone through iMessage, you will still have the added protection of end-to-end encryption. It was uncertain if this encryption would be available for the limited bandwidth satellite connection, but Apple reassured that privacy measures will remain intact.
However, this encryption will not be available for SMS messages, which are easily recognizable with their green bubble form. It’s a reminder to keep in mind that SMS messaging is not secure, and that your conversations are essentially flying through space and back.
Currently, it is unknown when this new feature will be available or if it will be restricted to certain phones or plans. As more information is released, updates will be made to this post.
Image Credits: Apple
