Android 14 is Anticipated to Offer Satellite Connectivity Support for Emergency SMS Communication Like iPhone

The next Android version, Android 14, is scheduled to be released later this year. Although Android 14 is still in a beta phase, many of the features and enhancements that Google hopes will be included in the next version of its mobile operating system have already been announced on the Internet.

It has been rumored that Android 14 will enable satellite connectivity in smartphones, enabling users to send emergency message alerts without relying on cellular or WiFi coverage. This feature was also included by Apple in the iPhone 14 series from last year.

According to a recent tweet from TeamPixel (@GooglePixelFC), the upcoming Android 14 update will include support for satellite connectivity and SMS on supported smartphones with the necessary hardware. However, users of Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones may be the first to receive this feature, as it requires hardware support. The availability of this feature on other Android smartphones would depend on the manufacturer.

The emergency SoS via satellite feature was first made available in the US and Canada during the launch of the iPhone 14 series last year. However, it was later expanded to other countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Portugal. The feature not only allows users to communicate with emergency services but also allows them to search for their location and share it with their friends and family using the Find My app.

Meanwhile, Google released the Android 14 Beta 4 update to eligible Pixel users earlier this month. It has been said that the latest Android 14 beta version is suitable for testing and general use. It is said to bring several fixes and system performance improvements. The Android 14 Beta 4 is also available for the Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet.