APPLE ROLLS OUT IPHONE EMERGENCY SOS SATELLITE ALERT SERVICE ON ALL IPHONE 14 (VIDEO)

Thu 17 November 2022:

Apple said on Tuesday that consumers in the US and Canada can now access Emergency SOS through satellite.

The capability, which is available on all iPhone 14 models, enables users to communicate with emergency services while away from cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

Additionally, users can now launch the Find My app and communicate their location via satellite if they wish to reassure friends and family of their locations while traveling off the grid, the company stated in a statement.

France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK will receive the Emergency SOS through satellite in December.

With Emergency SOS via satellite, users can send and receive messages in as little as 15 seconds in clear conditions.

“Some of the most popular places to travel are off the beaten path and simply lack cellular coverage. With Emergency SOS via satellite, the iPhone 14 lineup provides an indispensable tool that can get users the help they need while they are off the grid,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“Our teams worked tirelessly to tackle a new set of technical challenges to bring this service to life, in addition to building a reliable on-the-ground infrastructure. Emergency SOS via satellite is a breakthrough service available only on the iPhone 14 lineup, and a new innovation that we hope will provide our customers some peace of mind.”

When a new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max is activated, the service is free for the first two years.

Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My via satellite require iOS 16.1.

In emergency scenarios, the emergency services call centers can connect to even more users and does not need any additional software or protocols to do so.

“Users will be connected directly to emergency services that are equipped to receive text messages, or to relay centres with Apple-trained emergency specialists who are ready to contact PSAPs that cannot receive text messages on the user’s behalf,” said Apple.

With Emergency SOS via satellite, if a user is not able to reach emergency services because no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is available, an easy-to-use interface appears on iPhone to get the user help utilising a satellite connection.

A short questionnaire appears to help the user answer vital questions with a few simple taps, which is transmitted to dispatchers in the initial message, to ensure they are able to quickly understand a user’s situation and location.

Apple said it worked closely with experts to review standard questions and protocols to identify the most common reasons for calling emergency services.

“We dedicate our lives to helping people in need, but there are inevitably people who are not able to contact a dispatcher. Emergency SOS via satellite will allow us to help iPhone users in more remote areas who might not otherwise be able to reach us,” said Jennifer Kirkland, ENP, the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center’s 911 center manager.

@cnbc #Apple is trying to give #iPhone users a measure of safety even when they’re in a place without cell service. On Tuesday, the company launched emergency SOS via #satellite, which allows users to text emergency services when they’re off the grid, whether camping in the mountains or driving in a remote area at night. #LinkInBio for full details. #CNBC #tech #smartphone ♬ original sound – cnbc

Here’s how it works:

In the event of an emergency, try calling 911. If you don’t have cell service, your phone will try to connect to another carrier’s tower. If that doesn’t work, an option to “Emergency Text via Satellite” will pop up.
You can also go to iMessage to text 911 or SOS, then tap Emergency Services.
An option will populate, allowing you to tap to report an emergency.
Emergency questions will populate to help you best describe your situation. The first prompt will say “What’s the emergency?” You’ll then be able to select from options like “Car or vehicle issue,” or “sickness or injury.” Next you’ll be led through a series of more in-depth questions.
You’ll be given the option to notify your emergency contacts to let them know you reached out to emergency services, along with your location and the nature of your emergency. You can also use the Find My app to share your location with friends and family via satellite.
To connect to a satellite, your phone will ask you to point it towards the sky. As long as you have a clear view, you should be able to connect to a satellite, but it could take up to 15 seconds for your messages to go through. If you don’t have a clear view of the sky, because of trees or another obstruction, the texts may take a minute to go through. And because satellites orbit the earth quickly, you’ll have to move your phone slightly to stay connected throughout the conversation.
Once you’ve connected to emergency services via satellite, they’ll immediately know your location and the nature of your emergency, but you’ll be asked a few more questions to help emergency personnel locate you and to come prepared.
If you have your medical ID set up through your iPhone’s health settings, emergency services will be able to see important personal information, like what medications you’re taking and the names of your emergency contacts.
How to demo emergency SOS via satellite
To try out emergency SOS via satellite, Apple has a demo option.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Emergency SOS.
3. Tap Try Demo. You’ll then be led through the same prompts you would get in a real emergency. You’ll also be able to turn off your cell service and connect to a satellite so you can get a feel for it. You’ll get haptic feedback when you’re not pointing in the right direction.