Google is actively working on the integration of satellite communication into the Android 14 operating system. In accordance with the discovered interface, the new function will allow users to send messages through the satellite, even when ordinary mobile communications is not available.
The company has already laid out the software framework for the implementation of this function, and Qualcomm announced that it would provide the necessary specialized equipment in its Snapdragon chips. In addition, Google is developing a new interface in its Message application, designed for emergency SOS conversations via satellite.
This part of the application was discovered by a well-known informant @neil_rahmouni. It looks like a regular text message branch, but indicating that this is a “satellite message”. A counter also appears, indicating how many characters can be entered into the message. In the screenshots provided by the function, it seems non-working, showing “-1”, but it is assumed that satellite messages will be limited by the number of characters.
Such a technology, apparently, will be much more advanced than the Apple solution for the iPhone 14 with Emergency SOS, where the user is limited by several pre-installed messages.
As new hardware is introduced, satellite communication functionality will expand. Perhaps Google and other manufacturers will be able to update the software of existing modems to support new technology. Most likely, in the near future, this function may appear on Pixel smartphones.
Until satellite communication is fully integrated, users can use temporary solutions such as the satellite Bluetooth Dongle Motorola’s Defy.