Qualcomm follows Apple’s lead to bring satellite messaging to Android… only better

Following Apple’s large announcement on the iPhone 14 launch occasion late final 12 months, Qualcomm has determined to comply with Cupertino’s lead and produce satellite tv for pc messaging to sure high-end Android telephones. And in some methods it’s going to be higher–though you’ll in all probability must pay for the privilege.

Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc will arrive on premium Android handsets within the second half of 2023, Qualcomm says, though availability will probably be a choice for producers and cellular service suppliers. Our colleagues on Tech Advisor are at the moment searching for clarification on whether or not already-announced telephones with Qualcomm’s newest high-end cellular chipset will assist the service, however it seems seemingly that they received’t.

So it’s not clear but which telephones will get the brand new tech first, or in any respect: a not untypical state of affairs with Android gadgets. Essentially the most fascinating half, nevertheless, is the best way during which Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc surpasses Apple’s satellite tv for pc providing, or will sooner or later.

In sensible phrases the iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc is a one-way messaging service. Strictly talking your emergency contacts can reply to the messages they obtain, however solely by replying YES or NO when related, whereas medical personnel could reply with extra messages to hunt additional data. Nevertheless it doesn’t provide the alternative to change feedback forwards and backwards with a cherished one.

Apple

Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc received’t allow you to do this both, a minimum of not at first, however finally it’s going to assist two-way satellite-based messaging: Qualcomm says this can be a world first. At some point Android customers might have the ability to ship and obtain messages with out connecting to a standard cellular community, an altogether extra interesting idea than a service restricted solely to alerting contacts about emergencies, which the typical telephone proprietor in all probability struggles to think about themselves being concerned in.

However what about price? This stays a thriller. Qualcomm hasn’t made any grand claims concerning the service being bundled free of charge with new purchases, as Apple was in a position to do–Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc is free for 2 years after shopping for a 14-series iPhone, though we don’t but know the way a lot it’ll price after that–however as a chipmaker quite than a telephone producer it wouldn’t be able to take action anyway. Pricing, like availability, will probably be a choice for the service suppliers and handset producers.

Even when it does require an extra payment, nevertheless, and even when the two-way a part of the providing stays a way off, the brand new service represents a knock to Apple’s superiority on this space. It will likely be fascinating to see how Cupertino responds. As ever, competitors is nice for the consumer, and maybe this can tee up an announcement for the iPhone 15 launch within the fall.