Apple’s updates always give us groundbreaking, innovative features. A recent report indicates, Starlink satellite network now integrated into Apple’s latest iPhone software platform, the iOS 18.3 release, is said to be a result of collaboration with SpaceX and T-Mobile. According to Mark Gurman, “Apple Inc. has been secretly working with SpaceX and T-Mobile US Inc. to add support for the Starlink network in its latest iPhone software, providing an alternative to the company’s in-house satellite-communication service.”
Game changing updates:
The tech-enabled update that is not being widely delivered has been called ‘unexpected’ by Gurman, and that T-Mobile’s prior option to deliver emergency messages via Starlink satellite was restricted to Samsung phones. In contrast, Apple adopted the Globalstar network in its satellite emergency service. The announcement of Apple’s latest update on X was made by Mario Nawfal, founder of IBC Group, who called it a “game changer”. Elon Musk expressed that the new Starlink direct to phone constellation should be able to support images with high resolution, music, and audio podcasts, through sharing Nawfal’s comment, “Medium resolution images, music and audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation.
Next generation constellations will do medium resolution video.” T-Mobile beta testers enabled a few iPhones on the network to play moderately high-quality video and were notified stating they were in Starlink beta and stay connected to satellite messaging from anywhere. Users wanting coverage beyond iOS 18.3 must update to this version for updated features.
To control the satellite feature, the program’s participants are given a new toggle switch in their iPhone cellular data settings. According to Gurman, “Users in the program have a new toggle switch in their iPhone cellular data settings to manage the satellite feature.” While texting was the main focus in the first version, SpaceX and T-Mobile are planning to offer data connections and voice calls next. T-Mobile’s iPhone will be automatically connected to the SpaceX satellite when cellular connectivity is lost and while the number of iPhones in the beta is currently limited, T-Mobile plans to extend the program in future.
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