Google is bringing SMS by satellite connectivity to smartphones with the public rollout of its next-generation smartphone OS- Android 14. When this happens, Android smartphone users will get a workaround for the lack or poor coverage of cellular networks or WiFi coverage as they could establish connections directly via satellites.
The news of satellite connectivity has been around for a while. Earlier, rumors circulated on the internet after Google’s Senior Vice President of Platforms & Ecosystems, Hiroshi Lockheimer teased the possibility. In his tweet, he hinted at what the tech leader could be planning on its Android OS. “We’re designing for satellites. Cool! Excited to support our partners in enabling all of this in the next version of Android!,” he said.
Interestingly, satellite connectivity does exist on smartphones with existing hardware however, they require software updates, GSM Arena writes.
At the same time, reliable news source 9To5Google previously said that Google has confirmed that the upcoming Android version will be Android 14.
Just recently, SpaceX and T-Mobile announced their partnership to bring satellite connectivity to existing phones to eradicate the issue of mobile dead zones. Satellite connectivity could be the real deal now. Apple and Huawei have also brought the future to their respective smartphones.
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Android 14 Could Bring satellite connections to smartphones in 2023
The next version of Android OS, Android 14 is likely that smartphones will get at least SMS connectivity. It will be the latest and crucial communication development on smartphones. While it’s still a luxury exclusive to premium phones so far such as on iPhone 14, the way key OEMs are making progress, the feature could become a standard rather soon.
A recent tweet by Pixel #TeamPixel revealed that Android 14 will get the feature to send SMS via satellite. The tweet also said that the feature will require compatible hardware to work. So, it will be up to the manufacturers to get their devices ready for connectivity. So, if everything goes positive, the fourth quarter of 2023 could bring SMS by service to Android phones running on Android 14.
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Which Android phones will get the feature first?
As it stands, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones are in line to get the SMS by satellite feature first. So, we can see the giants pitching the new communication tool in their upcoming flagship phones. Samsung was supposed to include this feature on Galaxy S23 models but the company ditched it at last. Galaxy S24 lineups are more than likely to have this life-saving capability. Android 14 OS will begin its rollout in August 2023.
Additionally, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy are said to be among the first phones to come with SMS via satellite feature. Regardless, it will be a baked-in feature in Android 14 for devices that will support the technology.
Satellite connectivity on smartphones will address dead zone cases for smartphone users. It will be a reliable alternative for both service providers and smartphone owners where cellular signal or WiFi is not available. Likewise, satellite communication is also handy for Nepal due to the adversity it faces with the uneven landscape. iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via Satellite has been life-saving on a number of occasions already. Android users could leverage this technology soon.
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Would you love satellite connectivity support on Android 14 as an alternative to cellular communications? Do share with us in the comments below.
