Apple announced on Wednesday that it is giving iPhone 14 users an extra year of free Emergency SOS via Satellite.
Emergency SOS via Satellite allows users to send a text message to emergency services even when they are outside of an area with Wi-Fi or cellular coverage. It can be useful if you’re hiking, for example, and have an emergency but aren’t near a wireless network. Apple said in a release on Wednesday that the feature has “helped save lives around the world”.
If Apple eventually decides to charge for the feature, it will provide another source of recurring revenue for the company’s services business, which generated $22.31 billion in revenue during Apple’s fiscal fourth quarter. Apple hasn’t yet said how much it will cost.
Meanwhile, on 9 November, Qualcomm ended its partnership with satellite communications company Iridium to provide similar satellite-to-phone services for Android phones. Iridium said smartphone manufacturers hadn’t included the technology in their devices, suggesting a lack of interest from Apple’s rivals.
The free trial of Emergency SOS via satellite applies to iPhone 14 users who activated their device in an eligible country or region before 15 November, Apple said. The service is also available to users who have purchased one of Apple’s iPhone 15 devices, announced in September.
Apple announced other satellite-based safety features in September, including Roadside Assistance via Satellite. The feature can connect users to the roadside assistance company AAA if their vehicle breaks down in an area with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. The feature is free for two years for iPhone 15 users.
Apple shares rose less than 1% on Wednesday.
