Emergency SOS via Satellite is a core feature of the iPhone 14, so it’s no wonder that Google would want to add this feature Android.
Jason Cipriani/ZDNET
While Apple was the first to bring two-way emergency satellite messaging to the masses, we all knew that it wouldn’t be long before Google brought this feature to Android users. After all, Apple’s emergency feature has been giving the iPhone a fair bit of exposure lately.
Also: This tiny satellite communicator is packed full of features and peace of mind
Code snippets uncovered by developer Neïl Rahmouni (via SamMobile) hint at an emergency satellite messaging feature coming to Google Messages.
Looks like Google Messages may use Garmin Response for the Satellite Emergency SOS
If true it could mean that Emergency Satellite messages would be available in 150+ countries👀https://t.co/egVqM6JaJV
(1st screen is a mockup, 2nd are the translations found in Google Messages) pic.twitter.com/Rza9BUxJwJ— Neïl Rahmouni 🐢 (@neil_rahmouni) August 28, 2023
Contained within the code are references to “Garmin” and “messaging by satellite.”
Right now, there’s nothing official from either Google or Garmin, and we’ll have to wait for the Android 14 launch later this year to see if this becomes an official feature.
Also: The best satellite phones and gadgets for reliable off-grid communication
Garmin has a range of satellite messaging devices, with devices such as the InReach Messenger and InReach Mini 2. These devices leverage Iridium’s constellation of 66 satellites, and based on my testing, they work really well, are incredibly reliable, and they’re a handy backup in case things turn bad.
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