CANADA – Canadian iPhone 14 users now have access to a new feature that will allow them to contact emergency services without cell service or Wi-Fi. Emergency SOS via satellite is now available on the iPhone 14 lineup in Canada and the United States.
The new technology allows users to message emergency services when they don’t have service. Another exciting feature for travelers allows people to “reassure friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid” by opening the Find My app and sharing their location via the satellite feature.
“Some of the most popular places to travel are off the beaten path and simply lack cellular coverage. With Emergency SOS via satellite, the iPhone 14 lineup provides an indispensable tool that can get users the help they need while they are off the grid,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
Experts believe that the new Emergency SOS feature will be helpful for wilderness lovers, as well as those who live in rural areas without service. Additionally, there is hope that the new service will be beneficial during natural disasters.
The VP shared that the satellite technology will only be available on the new iPhone 14 lineup – including the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. He added that they hope the service will bring Apple customers “peace of mind.”
According to a release, the new smartphones can connect directly to a satellite through a combination of custom-designed components and deeply integrated software. The system allows EMS call centres to connect with users in distress and connect them directly to emergency services that are equipped to receive text messages or experts who can help relay the information.
How Emergency SOS via Satellite Works
So how does it work? Well, in the situation that you are not able to connect with emergency services because of a lack of cell service or Wi-Fi, an interface appears on the screen of your phone to get help via satellite.
A release explains that users will have to answer a short questionnaire through the interface with vital questions. After filling out the questionnaire, users will be guided to a place where the cellphone connects to the satellite service and send the first message, sharing their location and situation with the appropriate services. The message also shares important information with emergency services, like your cell phone’s battery level and iPhone Medical ID. You can also receive follow-up messages from EMS through the same service.
Users who purchased an iPhone 14 model before the availability date of Emergency SOS via satellite will receive two years of the service free starting from the service availability date.
The new service extends to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December. Let us know in the comments, do you think this should be a widespread feature for smartphones?
