By Bitwave 
Apple has announced that its iPhone 14 Emergency SOS satellite feature is now available in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK. This service was first introduced in September and allows users to send emergency messages while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Background on Emergency SOS via Satellite
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature enables users to contact emergency services when they are in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. To activate this feature, users can perform a long press on the power and volume buttons or rapidly press the power button five times. This will bring up an interface that guides the user through the process of sending a message to emergency services.
How Emergency SOS via Satellite Works
When a user activates the Emergency SOS via satellite feature, they will be prompted to answer a series of questions using a questionnaire. These questions are designed to help dispatchers quickly understand the user’s situation and location. The user’s responses, along with their iPhone battery level, Medical ID (if enabled), and location (including altitude) will be transmitted to relay centers staffed by Apple-trained specialists.
Benefits of Emergency SOS via Satellite
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature has several benefits for users. First and foremost, it provides a way for users to contact emergency services in areas where cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is not available. This can be particularly important for users who are traveling to remote areas or engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking or skiing.
Sharing Location via Satellite
In addition to sending emergency messages, the Emergency SOS via satellite feature also allows users to share their location with friends and family while traveling in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. This can be done using the Find My app, which will guide users through the process of sharing their location via satellite.
Cost of Emergency SOS via Satellite
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature is currently free for two years starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 14. However, Apple has not announced what the cost will be after this period. It’s worth noting that Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My via satellite require iOS 16.1 or later.
Future Expansion
Apple plans to expand support for Emergency SOS via satellite to additional countries next year.
Supported iPhones in the US and Canada
Users with supported iPhones in the US and Canada can now contact emergency services via satellite using the Emergency SOS feature.
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Authors:
- Aisha Malik – Consumer News Reporter at TechCrunch
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