CES 2023: Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon Satellite; Two-Way Satellite-Based Messaging for Android Phones to Arrive Soon

Snapdragon Satellite feature will first come to devices on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform.

Written by Manas Mitul, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 6 January 2023 03:00 IST

CES 2023: Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon Satellite; Two-Way Satellite-Based Messaging for Android Phones to Arrive Soon

Photo Credit: Reuters

Qualcomm is planning to expand the satellite-based service to other devices as well

Highlights

Qualcomm said it will launch the feature in the second half of 2023
The company is teaming up with Iridium to bring the service to Android
Apple’s iPhone 14 offers an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature

Qualcomm on Thursday announced satellite-based two-way messaging feature for smartphones at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2023). The company's Snapdragon Satellite solution will allow users to send and receive emergency messages, SMS, and texts on other messaging apps on Android smartphones globally. The feature will first come to devices based on the company's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform. A similar feature is available on Apple's latest iPhones, which lets users send emergency SOS messages via a satellite connection.

The company has partnered with satellite telecommunications company Iridium to provide the service to users around the globe. Snapdragon Satellite will be powered by Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and will utilise Iridium's constellation of satellites orbiting earth, enabling manufacturers to offer the service worldwide, according to Qualcomm.

It's worth noting that Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature is currently only available in USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Ireland.

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Qualcomm's satellite-based messaging service is expected to launch in select regions sometime in the second half of 2023. The company is also planning to expand the feature beyond smartphones to laptops, tablets, vehicles, and IoT devices. It intends for manufacturers and app developers to develop proprietary features and applications based on the capabilities of Snapdragon Satellite.

Garmin, which makes popular GPS-based activity tracking smartwatches, has already said it intends to collaborate with Qualcomm to bring the feature to its devices. Garmin watches have their own SOS feature, Garmin Response, which activates when a user presses the SOS button, connecting them to the Garmin Response team for rescue or aid.

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Snapdragon Satellite feature promises to offer “pole-to-pole" coverage for satellite-based two-way messaging in remote, rural, and offshore locations. In addition to emergency use, the service could also be used for recreational purposes. There is currently no word from the company on whether smartphones in India will offer support for Snapdragon Satellite, when it arrives later this year.

5G is now available both on Android and iPhone in India. But is it any good? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Further reading: Qualcomm, Snapdragon Satellite, Android, Satellite Communication, Apple, Emergency SOS via Satellite, Iridium

Manas Mitul

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In his time as a journalist, Manas Mitul has written on a wide spectrum of beats including politics, culture and sports. He enjoys reading, walking around in museums and rewatching films. Talk to Manas about football and tennis, but maybe don’t bring up his video game backlog. More