Everything Apple iOS 18 Will Do, Android Already Does

jeffw@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 283 points –
Everything Apple iOS 18 Will Do, Android Already Does
gizmodo.com
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Satellite messaging is already available in Android 15 beta

Perhaps in software, but I don't think there is a current phone that has the hardware to take advantage. For now, this is essentially an Apple only feature. It's a pretty good bet we are going to see some flagships released with it in the next year though.

I know that Pixel 7's and above support it. There are Reddit posts showing they have the feature already. Satellite messaging is just using standard 4G/LTE from Starlink. I wouldn't be surprised if this is only an OS update away for most newer phones.

That's pretty cool, I assumed they needed additional hardware. Thanks.

Correct. It needs hardware and will only be on flagships, if the OEM includes it..

Another nice feature on the latest iPhone is the UWB chip egg even the older models have but now you can find another iPhone 15 user in a crowd if they share their location. The UWB chip will guide you right to them

I've wanted something like this for at least a decade for when my wife and I get separated in the Mall so that instead of calling her to see where she is (and she often doesn't hear it ringing) I'd be able to just use the phone to lead me to her... Pretty useful in real life. And it also works for your misplaced tracker tile, air pods, iPad etc

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