Because it is proprietary, good. I look forward to open source, standards based development on this front.
I think it was more about vendor lock-in. The phone manufacturers want to be the ones you are locked to, not to Iridium.
that could enable smartphones to tape into satellite communications networks
Well, if they’re using tape, no wonder.
Anyone else thinking satellite phone connectivity for non-leo constellations won’t take off simply because the majority of the user base would never see value in it compared to the cost it would incur them? Like, even safety minded Apple customers weren’t showing high enough adoption rates for Apple to roll it without fitting the bill themselves.
Apple literally rolled out the feature 13 months ago with 24 months free use with the purchase of a compatible device.
How can you claim any statistics on the topic?
But yeah, I think the real interesting thing is what’s going to happen with the LEO constellations, but I also get why Apple isn’t keen on relying on a Musk-driven enterprise.
All other LEO-constellations are probably a decade away from having enough coverage.
I think Apple wants to get in the game now, and they have the money to spend on differentiating themselves.
And for those who have stumbled into a situation where they needed it and been rescued it’s great, but on the other hand the majority of the planet is not served as of now.
