Google has announced that it will support satellite connectivity with the next version of Android, presumably Android 14, after US carrier T-Mobile announced it plans to offer satellite connectivity to customers.
Satellite connection with Android 14
The Netherlands and Belgium are relatively small countries that have good coverage of mobile networks, but unfortunately that is not reality in the world. There are still remote places where no range is possible, even though they are immediately inhabited by people. Satellite connectivity can help connect these areas with the rest of the world.
Hirsohi Lockheimer, senior vice president at Google, makes in a tweet known that engineers are working on satellite connection support for Android 14. “It’s crazy to think of concrete applications for phones that connect to satellites. When we saw the G1 [ook wel bekend als de HTC Dream of de eerste Android-telefoon, nvdr.] released in 2008, getting 3G and Wi-Fi to work has been a challenge. Now we are working on satellite connection. cool! We’re delighted to be able to support our partners by making this possible in the next version of Android!”
First test from 2023
The reference in the tweet to “our partners” is not coincidental. In the United States, T-Mobile has entered into a partnership with SpaceX so that it can offer a satellite connection to customers. In remote locations, they can call, text and use certain messaging apps. This is done via the Starlink satellites that the space company SpaceX sends into space in large numbers. T-Mobile and SpaceX will launch a test period in the fall of 2023 in which satellite connection will be available for free with various subscriptions from the provider.
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that we can expect a subscription for satellite connection from Dutch and Belgian providers in the long term, precisely because it is much less relevant here. Apple is also expected to announce with the new iPhone 14 that the phone can connect to satellites. It will launch the new iPhone on September 7.
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– Thanks for information from Androidworld. Source