Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc for flagship Androids, its reply to Apple’s Emergency SOS

Bear in mind Apple’s Emergency SOS by way of satellite tv for pc, which has confirmed itself to be able to saving human lives? Now, Qualcomm is throwing its hat within the ring by bringing the same function to Android smartphones – Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc.

Qualcomm lifted the veil off the function at CES 2023, describing it because the “first satellite-based two-way succesful messaging answer for premium smartphones” on this planet. In its bid to deliver satellite tv for pc messaging to the next-generation premium Android smartphones, the California-headquartered chipmaker has joined forces with communications agency Iridium and tech firm Garmin.

Very like Apple’s Emergency SOS on the iPhone 14 lineup, Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc permits customers to speak by way of the Iridium satellite tv for pc community and let customers ship and obtain messages, particularly in locations the place common cell service protection is sketchy. Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc, in keeping with Qualcomm, will leverage the 5G Modem-RF Techniques on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – the corporate’s new flagship SoC – together with Iridium’s satellite tv for pc constellation and L-band spectrum to ship emergency messaging. Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc is deliberate to help 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) as nicely.

In case you are questioning the place Garmin comes into this, right here is your reply. The tech firm brings its Response function atop the Iridium community for emergency messages, particularly in distant places. In keeping with Garmin VP Brad Trenkle, Garmin Response “helps hundreds of SOS incidents annually and has seemingly saved many lives within the course of.” If you ship an SOS (satellite tv for pc messages are restricted to about 160 characters) with Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc (leveraging Garmin Response), response coordinators will be aware of the sender’s coordinates as a way to decide the “acceptable company to coordinate the rescue.”

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“We’re trying ahead to collaborating with Qualcomm Applied sciences and Iridium to assist individuals connect with emergency providers regardless of the place life takes them,” he added. Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc will even be outfitted with Qualcomm’s X70 Modem system. Its makes use of span past emergencies – you’ll be able to make the most of Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc for “recreation in distant, rural, and offshore places” as nicely, so you’ll be able to keep in contact together with your family and friends even while you go climbing, for instance.

For those who want to get your arms on this juicy function, then you’ll have to wait. The official assertion by Qualcomm knowledgeable that emergency messaging on Snapdragon will probably be obtainable on next-gen smartphones, which will probably be launched in a handful of areas beginning within the second half of the 12 months. Qualcomm is already opening entry to the function to OEMs, and in keeping with the corporate, Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc allows it to allow satellite tv for pc communication capabilities and repair choices throughout a number of system classes. These gadgets span past smartphones to incorporate laptops, tablets, automobiles, and IoT.

“Sturdy and dependable connectivity is on the coronary heart of premium experiences. Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc showcases our historical past of management in enabling world satellite tv for pc communications and our skill to deliver superior improvements to cellular gadgets at scale,” mentioned Durga Malladi, senior VP, and basic supervisor, of mobile modems and infrastructure, at Qualcomm Applied sciences.

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