Anyone with a shiny new iPhone 14 in their pocket will soon be able to make use of a vital upgrade. Apple revealed that its latest and greatest smartphones were being kitted out with clever satellite technology during its “Far Out” launch event back in September. Now, this new technology is finally becoming available for users in certain parts of the world and those in the UK will be able to try it out from next month.
The upgrade, called Emergency SOS, allows the new iPhone to link up with satellites that whizz above the earth. Once a connection is made, an emergency text can then be sent via this technology without the need for a network signal – which could certainly come in handy for anyone needing help when off the beaten track.
To help users find satellites that are spinning thousands of miles above the earth, Apple shows a guide on the screen and gives precise details about where to point the phone.
Once connected, a message can be sent in around 15 seconds which is pretty impressive considering the distance it has to travel.
Additionally, if users want to reassure friends and family of their whereabouts while travelling off the grid, they can now open the Find My app and share their location via this satellite technology as well.
This new feature is only to be used in an emergency but Apple has included a demo on the device which lets iPhone 14 users try it out without actually sending a distress message.
“Some of the most popular places to travel are off the beaten path and simply lack cellular coverage. With Emergency SOS via satellite, the iPhone 14 lineup provides an indispensable tool that can get users the help they need while they are off the grid,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“Our teams worked tirelessly to tackle a new set of technical challenges to bring this service to life, in addition to building a reliable on-the-ground infrastructure. Emergency SOS via satellite is a breakthrough service available only on the iPhone 14 lineup, and a new innovation that we hope will provide our customers some peace of mind.”
Apple has confirmed that its Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My via satellite are both available from this week in the US and Canada, and will be available in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December. The service will be included for free for two years starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Want to know more about Apple’s new iPhones? You can read our full in-depth reviews below.