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 ...
I believe that only the iPhone 14 and newer can use this feature. Anybody else know?
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
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.
Thanks for posting that useful link.
Thank you, Elon.
My pleasure. I’ll probably never have access to the capability, I’m, uh, frugal.
How do they charge their phones with no electricity???
Most of the articles are carefully avoiding mentioning WHOSE satellites are providing the service
What will the eventual price per message be once outside the two year activation
“ 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
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.
“ Most of the articles are carefully avoiding mentioning WHOSE satellites are providing the service”
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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.
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.
“ What will the eventual price per message be once outside the two year activation”
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Haven’t the foggiest. But whatever it is will be worth it in an emergency situation.
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.
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
Democrats do NOT want people to realize how important Starlink will be to their futures, and how Biden administration is putting roadblocks on it.
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