Could satellite connection be coming to the Apple Watch? It’s possible, but it might not be ready just yet.
Apple may finally have a watch that is both rugged and capable of connecting to satellites, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The fate of the Apple Watch depends on the iPhone 14
If rumors prove to be true and the iPhone 14 gets satellite connectivity, the next Apple Watch could also feature it. The satellite connectivity could be used for sending short texts to emergency contacts, or for emergencies like sending a message when out of cellular service range.
Apple’s current Watch lineup doesn’t include a model capable of making calls, sending text messages, or accessing the internet without an iPhone nearby, but that could change this year. According to a new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next-generation Apple Watch could be capable of accessing the internet via satellite.
Whether it’s an iPhone or an Apple Watch, this technology will provide an alternative to the Garmin inReach Explorer and SPOT handheld satellite communicators with similar features.
Recently, there have been indications that Apple and its apparent satellite partner Globalstar Inc. can approach startups this way. In February, Globalstar announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase 17 new satellites to help “uninterrupted satellite service” for “potential” and unnamed customers, who pay hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Apple Watch 3 will get satellite connectivity and LTE in the future. It is expected to get this extra feature, one that could also be present in future iPhones.
“Emergency functions are only available in areas without mobile coverage and in selected markets. Apple is proposing to eventually deploy its own array of satellites to transmit data to the device, but the plan is likely to be phased out over the years.
Do you think this could be another great feature of the Apple Watch?
