The iPhone 14 was launched by Apple at its anticipated Far Out September event and it brought the world the famed smartphone's succeeding tech, with talks regarding the satellite features on the device. While Apple did not talk much about its satellite connections for the iPhone 14, Elon Musk claimed in a tweet that he talked to Apple regarding it and gave "promising" conversations.
Is this the era of iPhones connecting to satellites, particularly with Starlink?
Elon Musk Claims 'Talks' with Apple on iPhone 14's Satellite Features
A Twitter user expressed their hopes for a partnership between Apple and Starlink for the iPhone 14's new feature which allows users to use the Emergency SOS feature for satellite texting.
Here, Musk revealed that he and his company got "promising conversations" about Apple and Starlink's connectivity, and it may be a feature that would possibly see a partnership in the future. The famous tech CEO did not reveal any specific details regarding this talk with Apple, only saying that its team is "super smart."
The top billionaire also said that smartphone to satellite connections would work best if hardware and software allow it. Also saying that Starlink's "emulating cell tower" will not bring the best connections there are for the device.
Musk did not talk further regarding any partnership it already has or is in the works with Apple on its Starlink satellite connectivity. However, there is a known partnership between Starlink and T-Mobile which aims to use satellites for further connections for smartphone devices.
We’ve had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity. iPhone team is obv super smart.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 8, 2022
For sure, closing link from space to phone will work best if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower.
Can the iPhone 14 link to Satellites for Starlink Internet?
The satellite feature of the iPhone 14 got confirmation after the device's showcase from Apple last September 7, claiming that there is an emergency function that may send texts through satellites. However, it only talks about the Emergency SOS feature for smartphones, not for connecting to satellite internet features available now.
The iPhone 14 may connect to Starlink internet via broadband for now, but not a direct connection for the Apple device.
Starlink for Smartphone Devices?
Starlink is not yet exactly available to smartphone devices where the phone itself could connect to the company's satellite to access internet connectivity and communications. However, there is a possible way in the future should its partnership with T-Mobile flourish and bring the world more reach using the Starlink satellites available now.
T-Mobile and Starlink's partnership was unprecedented in the global market, and it gave everyone a hint about better connections in the future for their initial announcement.
The mid-band PCS spectrum of T-Mobile will connect to Starlink's satellites, which both are already working on for future connections, something that will expand by featuring better roaming features. It will be a notable connection for the smartphone, particularly as the connections would beam from orbit, like what Starlink's internet promises.
Starlink and T-Mobile's partnership is one step closer to smartphones connecting to the company's satellites, but it is not necessarily direct access to the orbiting signal beams for internet. However, for smartphones that have satellite connection features, now available for the iPhone 14, it may be an easy feat and viable for the future.
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Written by Isaiah Richard
