Qualcomm has announced that it is terminating its partnership with Iridium, a satellite communications company, to provide a satellite SOS feature for Android phones. The feature, called Snapdragon Satellite, was unveiled in January at CES 2023 and promised to enable two-way messaging via satellite for Android phones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
The feature was intended to rival Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, which allows iPhone 14 users to send emergency messages to contacts or authorities anywhere in the world with a clear view of the sky. However, unlike Apple’s feature, which is limited to emergency situations and one-way communication, Qualcomm’s feature aimed to offer more general-purpose satellite messaging for Android users in remote areas or without cellular coverage.
Qualcomm said that the decision to end the partnership with Iridium was due to “technical and business challenges” that could not be overcome. The company did not provide any further details on what those challenges were, but some analysts speculated that they could include the cost and complexity of integrating the satellite functionality into the existing 5G modem, the antenna design and performance, the user experience and interface, and the regulatory and legal issues.
Qualcomm also said that it remains committed to exploring new ways to enhance connectivity and communication for Android devices, and that it will continue to work with other partners in the satellite industry. The company did not specify if it has any plans to revive the satellite SOS feature in the future, or if it will focus on other satellite applications, such as for laptops, tablets, and vehicles.
The announcement of Qualcomm’s cancellation of the satellite SOS feature comes as a disappointment for many Android users who were looking forward to having a reliable and convenient way to communicate via satellite. The feature was expected to launch in the second half of 2023 in North America and Europe, and to expand to other regions and devices later on. Some of the upcoming Android phones that were supposed to support the feature include the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, the OnePlus 11 Pro, and the Google Pixel 7.
Apple, on the other hand, has already launched its Emergency SOS via satellite feature on the iPhone 14 series and 15 series, which debuted in September 2023. The feature uses the Globalstar satellite network and offers two free years of service for iPhone 14 users. After that, users will have to pay a subscription fee to access the feature. Apple has also said that it plans to add more satellite features to its devices in the future, such as for navigation, weather, and maps.
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