Google Messages preps to send SOS messages via satellite

We know that Android 14 will embrace satellite connectivity. It was introduced final 12 months and located by Mishaal Rahman within the code earlier this month. However, the telephone can’t attain a satellite simply because it’s operating Android 14; it additionally wants the precise {hardware} to join.

In preparation for that connectivity, Google Messages has added consumer interfaces for sending satellite messages. It was identified by Neïl Rahmouni on X (Twitter).

Looks like Google Messages is certainly making ready to add help for Satellite Connectivity. They’ve added UIs for conversations and SOS messages utilizing satellite connection: pic.twitter.com/IDxse7QNCw

— Neïl Rahmouni 🐢 (@neil_rahmouni) August 17, 2023

In Rahmouni’s image, you possibly can see that the textual content bar is labelled ‘Satellite message.’ It’s clearly not good but, because the character restrict says -1 though Rahmouni hasn’t typed something, however it alerts the intent to get satellite connectivity quickly.

Back in February, Samsung introduced satellite connectivity for its Exynos modems. These go into the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, as well as to all of the Samsung telephones. Old telephones received’t abruptly give you the chance to join to satellites, however the subsequent technology or the one after might.

Samsung additionally took it a step additional than Apple’s iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 made headlines when it was launched as a result of it might send SOS messages via satellite. However, the messages have been preprogrammed, designed to shortly describe an emergency state of affairs. Samsung, alternatively, introduced that you would send any message. That appears to be what Google Messages is making ready for — assuming the UI discovered by Rahmouni isn’t modified additional — because it provides you full entry to your keyboard.

It’s exhausting to say whether or not a freely typed emergency message is best than a predetermined one. On one hand, a message you typed could possibly be clearer and extra nuanced. On the opposite hand, relying on the emergency, it is likely to be a lot simpler and faster to select from an inventory of choices than attempt to sort one thing out.

First responders have emphasised that this expertise can preserve you secure, however doesn’t imply you must take pointless dangers.

“It’s providing an inflated sense of safety and security because you have this, even a little bit of hubris,” Chris Boyer, government director for the United States’ National Association for Search and Rescue, instructed the Washington Post. “When you’ve got something in your pocket like this, I think people rely on it heavily and get a flawed risk assessment. That overconfidence can end in tragedy.”

Boyer additionally famous that “search and rescue is already pretty overwhelmed” with out the opportunity of extra pointless emergency calls. MobileSyrup has reported on unintended 911 calls a number of instances this 12 months in Quebec and Ontario, which have served to overwhelm the departments and delay assist for real emergencies.

Source: Neïl Rahmouni on Twitter Via: Android Police