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Messages via satellite provides lifeline to iPhone owners in Hurricane Helene fallout
9To5Mac ^ | September 30, 2024 | Ryan Christoffel

Posted on 10/01/2024 9:10:12 AM PDT by House Atreides

Hurricane Helene has caused massive damage and taken over 100 lives across several US states. Many thousands of people are without power and/or cell service. But in the wake of the storm, reports have surfaced about a key iOS 18 feature that has been a lifeline for survivors: Messages via satellite.

iOS 18 feature provides messaging with no cell service

Apple added Messages via satellite to millions of iPhones via its recent iOS 18 update. And now, according to reports on social media, it seems the feature arrived just in time.

Here are a few tweets highlighting how useful the feature has proven: (SORRY, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO COPY/PASTE THE IMAGES FROM THE LINKED SITE)

Messages via satellite is truly the kind of feature that can save lives, and likely has already done so. Apple’s various health features have proven their own worth with countless life-saving stories, but access to satellite messaging is another key area that new Apple features are making a huge impact.

(Excerpt) Read more at 9to5mac.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Florida; US: Georgia; US: North Carolina; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: florida; georgia; helene; hurricane; hurricanehelene; ios18; iphone; northcarolina; satellitemessages; southcarolina
This is a feature of iPhones that can definitely help in these types of emergencies. Unfortunately it’s not available to those who didn’t download the latest iPhone software update in September. And, of course, people cut off with no electricity/internet or cellular service can’t download right now.
1 posted on 10/01/2024 9:10:12 AM PDT by House Atreides
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To: House Atreides

I believe that only the iPhone 14 and newer can use this feature. Anybody else know?


2 posted on 10/01/2024 9:13:14 AM PDT by Loud Mime ("The Real Constitution" on Amazon. We are not right wing - we are constitutional centrists.)
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CAPTION

3 posted on 10/01/2024 9:16:04 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Loud Mime

correct. I’ve got the SE, and I’m sure it’s a bit too old to have the circuitry.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/120930


4 posted on 10/01/2024 9:18:11 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: House Atreides

Musk sent hundreds of Starlink receivers to provide internet access to the affected area.

T-Mobile customers can use Starlink for calls and data. Next year, AT&T, Verizon and others will be able to use Starlink for mobile calls/data.

When this happens, i will ensure my personal phone is using Starlink.


5 posted on 10/01/2024 9:24:07 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (This is the end of the Republic....because we could not keep it.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Thanks for posting that useful link.


6 posted on 10/01/2024 9:26:24 AM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX.)
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To: Erik Latranyi

Thank you, Elon.


7 posted on 10/01/2024 9:27:10 AM PDT by bgill
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To: House Atreides

My pleasure. I’ll probably never have access to the capability, I’m, uh, frugal.


8 posted on 10/01/2024 9:28:45 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: bgill

How do they charge their phones with no electricity???


9 posted on 10/01/2024 9:28:52 AM PDT by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: House Atreides

Most of the articles are carefully avoiding mentioning WHOSE satellites are providing the service

https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacexs-cellular-starlink-successfully-beams-first-text-messages-to-phones


10 posted on 10/01/2024 9:29:35 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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To: House Atreides

What will the eventual price per message be once outside the two year activation


11 posted on 10/01/2024 9:30:50 AM PDT by Godzilla (“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty” - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

“ How do they charge their phones with no electricity???”

Either ration the phones existing charge by turning it off when you don’t need it, or use your car.

Even with roads blocked, you can use the car battery


12 posted on 10/01/2024 9:32:03 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

First, you’d need to have the right phone that you remembered to bring along and it didn’t get wet. Then, hope someone can direct them to a solar generator. Then, hope you don’t get snake bit or swept way in the nasty water. Then, who knows.


13 posted on 10/01/2024 9:33:30 AM PDT by bgill
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To: SauronOfMordor

“ Most of the articles are carefully avoiding mentioning WHOSE satellites are providing the service”
*********************************************************

I’ve noticed that. The establishment will do all it can to deprive Elon Musk of well deserved credit for all the good deeds he does.


14 posted on 10/01/2024 9:33:32 AM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX.)
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To: House Atreides

Yep. Satellite direct to cel is real via Starlink. The connection is a cluge but it works to get a text thru and sometimes voice.

The starlink network wasn’t originally built to do this and neither were the birds.

Look up AST Space Mobile (ASTS). They put a test bird in space and certified with all the global carriers. Amazing technology. It’s a true 5G cell tower in space. Works like any other cell tower, at a higher price. Huge for first responders and disasters.


15 posted on 10/01/2024 9:35:15 AM PDT by Blueflag (To not carry is to choose to be defenseless.)
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To: Godzilla

“ What will the eventual price per message be once outside the two year activation”
********************************************

Haven’t the foggiest. But whatever it is will be worth it in an emergency situation.


16 posted on 10/01/2024 9:35:35 AM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX.)
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To: SauronOfMordor

WE may never know how many lived just got saved by Musk and this IOS add-on.

But we do know they stepped up and gave it a shot.


17 posted on 10/01/2024 9:39:10 AM PDT by alancarp (George Orwell was an optimist.)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat
"How do they charge their phones with no electricity???"

There's a video showing how to charge a phone by using the ball point pen spring, a 9 Volt battery, a 12 volt adapter and a power cord. According to the video, US service firefighters use this method.

During a flood, one can always find a 9V battery in the smoke detector.

Hopefully this link works

https://truthsocial.com/@Bulma/113221004389015893

18 posted on 10/01/2024 10:16:30 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop ( ~~ TRUMP is right about EVERYTHING ! ~~ )
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To: 1_Rain_Drop

https://truthsocial.com/@Bulma/113221004389015893


19 posted on 10/01/2024 10:17:27 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop ( ~~ TRUMP is right about EVERYTHING ! ~~ )
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To: House Atreides

Democrats do NOT want people to realize how important Starlink will be to their futures, and how Biden administration is putting roadblocks on it.


20 posted on 10/01/2024 10:36:10 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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