Android and iPhone are closer than ever, with almost nothing between the operating system and your phone. All in all, Google may seem like it’s more of a follower than a leader, but with surprising new features coming first to Android and potentially coming soon. , Google just beat Apple in its own game…
Exciting new updates for Android users
As the world’s two largest smartphone ecosystems compete for users, Google is on a mission to bring Android closer to the iPhone. Lately, we’ve seen Google tighten up the security of Android, including his WhatsApp calls in his phone dialer and adding his Apple Pass to his wallet. This latest update not only matches the existing iPhone features, but also advances them and surprisingly beats Apple at its own game.
I’ve already reported that Google is looking to include emergency satellite services as a new feature, which would finally allow Android to match the satellite SOS functionality that Apple has had on the iPhone for several years. Google’s service also appears to be adding an off-the-shelf Garmin rescue service to its plans. This is clearly a huge step forward for the safety and security of our vast user base.
The problem with Apple’s Emergency SOS service is that it is only offered in emergencies. So, for those who don’t climb mountains or sail the oceans, you’ll see an SOS tag on your screen when you’re out of range, but you’ll never use it.
With the latest Android 15 developer preview, Google has closed that gap, allowing users to expand their phone accounts to include satellite add-ons, allowing core messaging apps to use its satellite network. It looks like. No more cellular blackspots that drop users into a connection black hole.
According to Mishaal Rahman, “Android 15 DP2 adds several UI elements to ensure a “consistent user experience” for devices that support satellite connectivity. This update also expands the platform’s support for satellite connectivity by adding new APIs that apps can use to detect when a device is connected to a satellite. Android 15 allows SMS/MMS/RCS apps to send and receive messages using satellite connections. ”
Android 15 dials up satellite connectivity
This last part is the real news, as we know that some networks have plans to add LEO satellite connectivity as an account option. This is an improvement over what we initially thought was coming when Google updated its Pixel smartphones with (prematurely) updates to its “satellite SOS” feature between car collision detection and emergency SOS. .
Apple’s satellite connectivity remains limited. “With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro, you can connect your iPhone to satellite to send texts to emergency services, request roadside assistance, and share your location with friends and family. You can share things. You’re off the grid because you don’t have mobile or Wi-Fi coverage.”
Previous beta code hinted at a satellite messaging option in partnership with T-Mobile, giving us hope for more Android advances. What this could ultimately mean made headlines when Elon Musk announced that SpaceX had achieved download speeds of 17mbps for an unmodified Galaxy S21 Ultra.
As SamMobile reported after Samsung’s test, the device “doesn’t require any special hardware to connect to the satellite. So even if there’s no traditional cellular network coverage nearby, your smartphone can connect to the satellite.” A direct connection will allow you to make calls and send and receive messages. Starlink is testing such a service and it is likely to be available in the coming months.”
This hints at a future where direct connections to phone satellites become more common and easier to use, but in the meantime, messaging integration is a great start.
Barring any major changes, it seems confirmed that this will be coming to Android 15. And as Android and iPhone get closer and closer, this looks like an example of Google leading and Apple (expected) following. It’s been an interesting week, coming on the heels of the “blockbuster” news that Gemini could be coming to the iPhone, and Apple’s claim that the Justice Department’s lawsuit will essentially turn the iPhone into Android.
