You’ve got been misled. The brand new frontier of cell connectivity is not 5G and even 6G, it is satellite tv for pc. Final 12 months it was Apple unveiling its lineup of SOS through satellite-capable iPhone 14 handsets. This 12 months it is Qualcomm, laying the groundwork at CES 2023 for a legion of satellite-based two-way-messaging-capable Android telephones in 2023 and past.

Demonstrating satellite tv for pc communication capabilities, particularly ones on cell check platform handsets and with software program that is propriety and plenty of steps from shopper availability, is not straightforward. Even while you’re solely attempting to do a simulated check, you need to take extraordinary measures to show that your satellite tv for pc programs work. And in lieu of that, you set the temper.

Qualcomm’s massive thought for demonstrating Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc to an keen group of tech journalists was to take us far, far-off from the bustling, neon-light-filled, playing mecca that’s Las Vegas.

After piling into a celebration bus (full with stripper poles), we drove virtually 20 miles outdoors of the strip, previous the playing towers and growing older old-school Vegas casinos like Golden Nugget. We drove till the panorama was barren and dotted with nothing however scrub. With the steel erector-set-like energy strains standing like sentinels within the distance (and reminding me of that scene from Seven), all of us piled out of the bus and onto the crusty desert soil. This could be Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc’s proving floor.

There should be huge swaths of earth that are not coated by cell alerts, however as I glanced at my telephone, I discovered, though I could not spot a cell tower, I nonetheless had sturdy 5G.

Although Qualcomm and, by extension, Android telephones will probably be late to the consumer-grade Satellite tv for pc communications get together, Qualcomm is coming at it from a special path. Positive, the system as described to me will, with the help of associate Garmin, present emergency satellite tv for pc communication and rescue companies, however Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc will begin with one thing that, maybe, extra customers need and can use: satellite-based two-way texting.

Based mostly on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon eight Gen 2 SoC and the Snapdragon X70 5G Modem-RF System will use new 1616hz and 1620hz bands to speak with an unlimited community of low earth orbit (LEO) Iridium satellites. 

Not like Apple’s SOS through Satellite tv for pc, which at present solely covers North America, Canada, and Europe, Qualcomm and Iridium are promising “pole-to-pole” protection. The Iridium community is bigger than Apple associate International Star’s community and Irisium execs instructed me it is newer, as effectively. Iridium additionally claimed to me that whereas they’ve an LEO, Globalstar’s satellites function in much less fascinating medium earth orbit (MEO) 

As an alternative of utilizing the system while you’re in bother and with out Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc is a use-anywhere, anytime system.

Wanna textual content from a cruise ship? Go for it. Wish to ship an emoticon whereas mountaineering within the woods? This satellite tv for pc is yours.

Satellite tv for pc programs have decrease bandwidth than cellular-based ones. Because of this, Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc isn’t a full multimedia messaging system. There’s a strict 140-byte restrict per message. The customized app retains monitor of it for you.

As for a way you utilize it, you begin with the Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc App and use your present telephone quantity as identification. You’ll be able to solely, nonetheless, satellite tv for pc textual content somebody in your contacts record. As demonstrated to us, a Qualcomm rep chosen a contact via the customized app after which was guided to level the telephone towards the closest orbiting LEO Iridium satellite tv for pc.

Like Apple’s SOS through Satellite tv for pc resolution Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc doesn’t want a particular exterior antenna to work. Qualcomm instructed us {that a} completely different antenna may enhance efficiency, however a mid-band one would work simply advantageous. The bottom line is that the antenna is constructed into the highest of the telephone so it is simple to level it at a close-by satellite tv for pc.

Since we have been out in the course of nowhere with nothing however stretches of parched earth stretching out so far as the attention might see (there was a mountain vary within the distance), the demo telephone with an built-in satellite tv for pc antenna rapidly acquired a transparent, unobstructed view of a satellite tv for pc. The messages can take so long as 10 seconds to ship, however on this case, it was instantaneous.

Qualcomm execs held one other Android telephone that acquired the message as if it had come via an everyday cell community – the system does use your present telephone numbers.

You could possibly additionally use the identical Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc system within the occasion of an emergency. On this case, your textual content for assist is likely to be routed via Garmin’s present name middle programs. Qualcomm didn’t display the emergency use although, telling us they did not need to pretend an emergency. I used to be a bit shocked since Apple figured the right way to do precisely that with its system after I examined it a few months in the past.

Whereas it is honest to imagine that future Samsung and different Android telephones may function Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc, Qualcomm didn’t point out a single associate. They did inform us that the bands have been so new that no associate might have supporting telephones within the close to future. This kind of cuts out Samsung’s anticipated Galaxy S23 lineup, which is predicted to launch early subsequent month, from the satellite tv for pc communications combine. Sure, the telephones may have the requisite premier Snapdragon CPUs and even the proper modem {hardware}, however they will not have the elements for the brand new bands or, most likely, the supporting software program.

Plus Android handset producers have to determine how they need to implement Qualcomm’s satellite tv for pc texting software program. Will they combine it themselves? Will they flip to service companions for assist? Unlikely since carriers transfer so slowly. May they appear to third-party corporations like WhatsApp? Attainable.

Whereas Qualcomm does not count on whoever integrates satellite tv for pc communications to cost a lot for emergency companies, satellite tv for pc texting for the heck of it should doubtless price you. How a lot is anybody’s guess.

The purpose is, whereas I noticed Qualcomm Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc working within the Las Vegas desert, it will not be till later this 12 months that we’ll see premium Android telephones supporting it. Maybe the subsequent Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Z Flip 5 will get the honors.

After the demo, we clamored again into the bus and I thought of earlier get together bus passengers, questioning in the event that they cared about know-how or satellite tv for pc texting. Most likely not, but additionally perhaps.

Take a look at our CES 2023 hub for all the most recent information from the present because it occurs. We’ll be protecting all the things from 8K TVs and foldable shows to new telephones, laptops, and sensible house devices, so stick to us for the large tales.