Qualcomm to Bring Satellite Connectivity to Android Smartphones

[MacRumors]

Qualcomm today announced plans to bring satellite-based connectivity to next-generation Android smartphones, giving smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Google a way to compete with the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that Apple rolled out alongside the iPhone 14 models.

Snapdragon Satellite is a two-way satellite-based messaging solution provided through satellite company Iridium. Qualcomm says support for messaging using satellite connectivity will be built into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, with smartphones that use the technology set to come out starting in the second half of 2023.

Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon Satellite functionality will be used for emergency messages to begin with, similar to Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that is made available through a partnership with Globalstar. Qualcomm also mentions SMS texting and connectivity in remote, rural, and offshore locations as possible use cases for Snapdragon Satellite, suggesting that it may not be limited to use in emergencies in the future.

While Snapdragon Satellite will launch first in smartphones, Qualcomm says that it can also be used for laptops, tablets, vehicles, and IoT devices, with OEMs and app developers able to differentiate and offer unique branded services that use satellite connectivity.

Snapdragon Satellite will use the Iridium satellite constellation, which uses L-band spectrum that Iridium says is "more resilient to weather" than frequencies used by other networks. Android smartphones that adopt Snapdragon Satellite will still need a clear view of the sky to function, and messages can be sent in as little as 10 seconds with a solid connection.

In addition to working with Iridium, Qualcomm also plans to partner with Garmin to provide emergency response services for users. There is no word yet on how Iridium, Qualcomm, and Android smartphone makers plan to charge customers for satellite access.

Article Link: Qualcomm to Bring Satellite Connectivity to Android Smartphones

 

[Corsig]

Will they mock apple first about it before copying?

 

[Htsi]

Excellent progress. Capitalism is a good motivator

 

[c172fccc]

Good. Satellite connectivity can be a lifesaver. The more smartphones with that feature, the better.

 

[GMShadow]

Won't work half as well. Apple's invested a ton into Globalstar to buy them new satellites and ensure reliability, while Iridium's got a decayed ground network that Qualcomm isn't going to be helping to boost.

Another gimmick from a pathetic company that needed to be hammered into the ground years ago.

 

[Htsi]

Won't work half as well. Apple's invested a ton into Globalstar to buy them new satellites and ensure reliability, while Iridium's got a decayed ground network that Qualcomm isn't going to be helping to boost.

Another gimmick from a pathetic company that needed to be hammered into the ground years ago.

Half a loaf better than none. Won’t affect people who use iPhones. No point being negative.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple introduced this technology on iPhones first.

 

[GMShadow]

Half a loaf better than none. Won’t affect people who use iPhones. No point being negative.

I wasn't aware I was required to cheerlead one of the most corrupt companies on earth. Do tell.


Qualcomm *is* everything Apple's haters accuse Apple of being.

 

[barkomatic]

It'll be interesting to see how satellite services develop over the next 5 years. This might be the catalyst that finally gets these networks robust enough to handle non emergency text messaging and even data affordably if the big tech companies start pouring money into it.

 

[bLackjackj]

Will they mock apple first about it before copying?

And you are confident this is fact? Do you know how long the lead time is in building chipsets and the technical data required,..years! How do you know that Apple didn't get wind of this first from Qualcomm, who may have already been creating the architecture?

 

[jz0309]

copycat ...

 

[jz0309]

And you are confident this is fact? Do you know how long the lead time is in building chipsets and the technical data required,..years! How do you know that Apple didn't get wind of this first from Qualcomm, who may have already been creating the architecture?

first to market wins

 

[Naraxus]

Will they mock apple first about it before copying?

You mean how like Apple copied: https://satellitephonestore.com/

 

[Naraxus]

Apple introduced this technology on iPhones first.

On iPhones yes. There's already a ton of satellite-connected phones on the market

 

[gordonfreeman5500]

Isn't it Qualcomm that made it possible on the iPhone? Their X65 modem allows for communication on band n53, which is shared by Globalstar's satellites.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

The same satellite communication that any iPhone can be made to work with?

 

[Corsig]

And you are confident this is fact? Do you know how long the lead time is in building chipsets and the technical data required,..years! How do you know that Apple didn't get wind of this first from Qualcomm, who may have already been creating the architecture?

Yea I’m so confident and I’ll wait for you to now ask me for sources and footnotes to verify my comment made on a message board.

 

[sw1tcher]

Will they mock apple first about it before copying?

Why would Qualcomm mock themselves since the iPhone 14 uses a Qualcomm X65 modem chip for the SOS feature?

New iPhone Emergency SOS Feature Supported by Qualcomm Chip, Custom Apple Technology

Apple Inc. iPhone 14 models contain a chip from San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. that can talk to satellites, according to iFixit and an Apple statement.

timesofsandiego.com

iFixit, a San Luis Obispo-based firm that disassembles iPhones and other consumer electronics to assess how easily they can be repaired, took apart an iPhone 14 Pro Max model on Friday, revealing the Qualcomm X65 modem chip.

The Qualcomm chip provides 5G connectivity for cellular networks, but is also capable of using what is called band n53, the frequency band used by satellites from Globalstar. Qualcomm headquarters is in Sorrento Valley.

copycat ...

Qualcomm copied themselves?

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple introduced this Qualcomm technology on iPhones first.

That's more accurate

 

[AppleRus]

Apple is either the first ones to do something or the last ones either way, they usually do it right compared to other companies 😂

 

[Macintosh Quadra 840av]

It was clear this was going to be the route. I don't have an issue with it at all. The more people that can be helped when in trouble, the better.

 

[blazerunner]

Apple introduced this technology on iPhones first.

Wow, Apple finally did something first.

 

[kiensoy]

Apple is either the first ones to do something or the last ones either way, they usually do it right compared to other companies 😂

Yeah like they were the last ones to do Always-On Display but they did it properly, the Apple way. (Until they updated it in iOS 16.2 to behave like on Android)

 

[0924487]

Iridium is actually superior to Apple's partner. Iridium is the de facto only option for marine and remote travel needs. It specializes in mobile sat connections. Iridium GO is ubiquitous in the sailing and ychating community. It's good for Iridium as well because SpaceX's StarLink is slowly taking over that market segment for much faster service and much lower cost.

 

[I7guy]

You mean how like Apple copied: https://satellitephonestore.com/

They didn’t copy the price.