Android and iPhone have by no means been nearer, with little between the working techniques and their handsets. In the principle, Google may appear to do extra following than main, however it has simply crushed Apple at its personal recreation, with a shocking new function that’s surprisingly coming to Android first and may very well be simply across the nook…
Up to date 3/23; initially printed 3/22.
Google is on a mission to make Android extra like iPhone, because the world’s two main smartphone ecosystems battle for customers. Now we have seen Google not too long ago improve Android safety, embody WhatsApp calls on its telephone dialer and even add Apple passes to its pockets. Now this newest replace not solely matches an current iPhone function, however it goes a lot additional, surprisingly beating Apple at its personal recreation.
I’ve already reported on Google’s push to incorporate an emergency satellite tv for pc service as a brand new function, which can see Android lastly match the satellite tv for pc SOS performance that Apple has had on its iPhone for just a few years. Google’s providing even appears so as to add a readymade Garmin rescue service into its plan. That is clearly a giant step forwards for the security and safety of its huge person base.
The problem with Apple’s emergency SOS providing is simply that—it’s just for emergencies. And so for these of us not climbing mountains or crusing oceans, it places an SOS tag on the display once we’re out of protection, however it’s one thing we by no means use.
Now with the most recent Android 15 developer preview, it appears like Google is bridging the hole, opening the door for customers to develop their mobile accounts to incorporate a satellite tv for pc add-on, and enabling core messaging apps to make use of that satellite tv for pc community. No extra mobile black-spots dropping customers right into a connectivity black gap.
Based on Mishaal Rahman, “Android 15 DP2 provides some UI parts to make sure a ‘constant person expertise’ for gadgets that help satellite tv for pc connectivity. The replace additionally expands platform help for satellite tv for pc connectivity by including a brand new API that apps can use to detect when a tool is related to a satellite tv for pc. Android 15 additionally lets SMS/MMS/RCS apps use satellite tv for pc connectivity for sending and receiving messages.”
That final little bit is the true information, and we all know that some networks have plans so as to add LEO satellite tv for pc connectivity as an account choice . That is an enchancment on what we first thought was coming, when Google (prematurely) up to date Pixel telephones with a “Satellite tv for pc SOS” function slotted between Automobile Crash Detection and Emergency SOS.
Apple’s satellite tv for pc connectivity stays extra restricted. “With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Professional, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Professional,” it says, “you possibly can join your iPhone to a satellite tv for pc to textual content the emergency providers, request roadside help and share your location with family and friends – all when you’re off the grid with no cell and Wi-Fi protection.”
We did hope Android would possibly go additional, with earlier beta code suggesting a satellite tv for pc messaging choice in partnership with T-Cell. The potential for what this would possibly finally imply hit the headlines when Elon Musk introduced that SpaceX had achieved downloads speeds of 17mbps to an unmodified Galaxy S21 Extremely.
As SamMobile reported following that Samsung take a look at, the gadget “would not require any particular {hardware} to hook up with a satellite tv for pc. So, even when there is no such thing as a typical mobile community vary close by, a smartphone would be capable to make/obtain calls and messages by connecting on to a satellite tv for pc. Starlink has been testing such a service, and it appears like we will use it within the coming months.”
This teases a future the place direct to telephone satellite tv for pc connectivity turns into extra regular and usable, however within the meantime messaging integration is a good begin.
That that is coming to Android 15 now appears confirmed—absent a significant change. And as Android and iPhone come ever nearer, this appears like being an instance of Google main with (one expects) Apple to comply with. Coming simply after the “blockbuster” information that Gemini is perhaps coming to iPhone and Apple claiming the DOJ lawsuit would primarily flip iPhone into Android, this has been an fascinating week.
3/23 replace: The most recent thrilling particulars on Google’s plans for satellite tv for pc messaging got here simply after the blockbuster information broke that Gemini is perhaps coming to Apple’s iPhone because the workhorse powering some or a lot of iOS 18’s AI updates.
That is fascinating on quite a lot of fronts—not least as a result of it’s but another means that the hole between Android and iPhone appears set to shut, but in addition as a result of it could vastly improve Google’s function throughout the iPhone ecosystem.
When it comes to Android versus iPhone that is additionally notable. One additional means wherein Android is transferring sooner than iPhone is Gemini’s deployment on handsets. Whereas Apple customers watch for readability on what to anticipate with the following OS within the fall, Android customers are already seeing these advances.
One key space wherein Google has promised game-changing Gemini capabilities is inside its Messages app, which can turn into—to all intents and functions—a chatbot UI for customers to interact Gemini straight from the messaging platform.
Google confirmed the Gemini/Messages rumors final month. Now, TheSPAndroid has had this up and working from the most recent beta launch, confirming that “the mixing of Gemini in Google Messages is just like Gemini within the Google app and Gemini on the internet, it helps extensions like Gmail, Flights, Maps, Workspace and extra which can be found on net, [and that] it will possibly additionally give code recommendations.”
Maybe most apparently of all, the positioning additionally confirms that this Gemini deployment “can even generate pictures, which is superb.”
As reported by Android Authority, “Google says that is restricted to English however provides it’ll be out there in 165 nations. The corporate additionally notes that you simply want a Pixel 6 or later, a Pixel Fold, a Galaxy S22 collection telephone or newer, or a Galaxy Z Flip/Fold.”
“It contains nearly all the things a traditional person wants,” TheSPAndroid says, “and it’s a very intelligent factor performed by Google—integrating in Google Messages, which could scale back the necessity to hold Google app put in on my telephone as a result of it slows it down… The opposite factor is that Gemini integration can even make stronger RCS as a result of extra individuals will use Google Messages.” As I’ve reported earlier than, the one catch is that Gemini messages usually are not end-to-end encrypted, for apparent causes.
It is a main enhance for Android. Using Google Messages as a readymade—and broadly put in chatbot UI, will normalize entry as by no means earlier than. Over to Apple as to the way it does the identical later within the 12 months, with or with out Google’s AI doing the work. However within the meantime, it’s undoubtedly (one other) benefit Android.
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