Posted ByTechViewApple said on Tuesday that consumers in the US and Canada can now access Emergency SOS through satellite. Apple said on Tuesday that consumers in the US and Canada can now access Emergency SOS through satellite. The capability, which is available on all iPhone 14 models, enables users to communicate with emergency services while away from cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Additionally, users can now launch the Find My app and communicate their location via satellite if they wish to reassure friends and family of their locations while travelling off the grid, the company stated in a statement. France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK will receive the Emergency SOS through satellite in December.
The function, according to Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, “is a groundbreaking service available exclusively on the iPhone 14 series, and a unique innovation that we believe will provide our customers some peace of mind.” When a new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max is activated, the service is free for the first two years. iOS 16.1 is needed for satellite emergency SOS and satellite find me.
In times of need, the emergency services contact centers to connect to even more users, and communication is made possible without the use of any additional software or protocols. Users will either be connected directly to emergency services that can receive texts or to relay centers staffed by emergency specialists trained by Apple who are prepared to get in touch with PSAPs that can’t receive texts on the user’s behalf, according to Apple. When using Emergency SOS via satellite, a user can access assistance using a satellite link if they are unable to contact emergency services due to cellular or Wi-Fi coverage being unavailable.
To guarantee that dispatchers can rapidly comprehend a user’s position and location, a brief questionnaire displays to allow the user to respond to important questions with a few simple taps. This information is then conveyed to dispatchers in the initial message. Apple said it works together with experts to evaluate standard questions and protocols to identify the most prevalent causes for summoning emergency services.
“We devote our life to aiding those in need, yet eventually some folks are unable to get in touch with a dispatcher. We can assist iPhone users in more remote locations who might not be able to contact us otherwise thanks to Emergency SOS through satellite “said Jennifer Kirkland, ENP, manager of the 911 center at the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center.