Android and iPhone have by no means been nearer, with little between the working programs and their handsets. In the principle, Google might sound to do extra following than main, however it has simply crushed Apple at its personal sport, with a surprising new function that’s surprisingly coming to Android first and could possibly be simply across the nook…
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 just lately improve Android safety, embrace WhatsApp calls on its telephone dialer and even add Apple passes to its pockets. Now this newest replace not solely matches an present iPhone function, however it goes a lot additional, surprisingly beating Apple at its personal sport.
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 a couple of 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 protection 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 to be like like Google is bridging the hole, opening the door for customers to broaden 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 components 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 linked 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 Automotive 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 whilst you’re off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi protection.”
We did hope Android may go additional, with earlier beta code suggesting a satellite tv for pc messaging choice in partnership with T-Cell. The potential for what this may ultimately 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 check, the gadget “would not require any particular {hardware} to hook up with a satellite tv for pc. So, even when there isn’t any 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 to be like 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 serious change. And as Android and iPhone come ever nearer, this appears to be like like being an instance of Google main with (one expects) Apple to comply with. Coming simply after the “blockbuster” information that Gemini is likely to be coming to iPhone and Apple claiming the DOJ lawsuit would primarily flip iPhone into Android, this has been an attention-grabbing week.
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