Google released the Android 13 operating system last year, and the next Android version, Android 14, will be released later this year. While Android 14 is still in development, rumors about the planned additions and upgrades in the next version of Google’s mobile operating system have begun to circulate. Android 14 is expected to have satellite connectivity capabilities for smartphones, allowing users to send emergency message alerts without relying on cellular or WiFi access. Apple implemented the capability on the iPhone 14 series last year.
In its most recent tweet, TeamPixel (Twitter @GooglePixelFC) stated that the future Android 14 will provide satellite connectivity capability for SMS, as well as other capabilities, to compatible handsets with the necessary hardware. It has also been reported that Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phone owners will be among the first to have access to this capability. Satellite communication necessitates hardware support, hence the feature’s availability on other Android handsets would be dependent on the manufacturer.
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When supported, the functionality will allow smartphone users to send SMS messages via satellite in remote places where cellular networks or WiFi are unavailable.
With the release of the iPhone 14 series last year, Apple launched the emergency SoS through satellite capability. However, at the time of debut, the feature was only available in the United States and Canada. It was then enlarged to include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal. The functionality not only allows users to interact with emergency services, but it also allows them to search for and share their whereabouts with friends and family via the Find My app.
Meanwhile, Google began rolling out the Android 14 Beta 4 upgrade to Pixel customers earlier this month. According to reports, the current Android 14 beta version is appropriate for testing and general usage. It is reported to include a number of fixes and system performance enhancements. Android 14 Beta 4 is also out for the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.