Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to send or receive a text message, but you had no cell signal or Wi-Fi? Maybe you were hiking in the mountains, camping in the woods, or traveling in a remote area. Or maybe you were in the middle of a natural disaster, a power outage, or a civil unrest. Whatever the case, you know how frustrating and scary it can be to feel cut off from the world.
Well, worry no more. Android 14, the latest version of Google’s operating system for smartphones, will bring a revolutionary feature that will allow you to send and receive text messages without any network connection. The feature, called Satellite SMS, will use low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to relay your messages to and from your contacts.
Satellite SMS will work with any phone that runs Android 14, regardless of the model or manufacturer. You will not need any special hardware or software to use it. All you will need is a clear view of the sky and an app that supports the feature. Google has said that it will make Satellite SMS available to all messaging apps that use its Android Messages API, which includes popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and more.
The feature will not only work for text messages, but also for voice messages, images and videos. However, there will be some limitations on the size and quality of the media files, as well as the speed and reliability of the transmission. Google has also warned that Satellite SMS will not be a replacement for regular cellular or Wi-Fi networks, but rather a backup option for emergency situations.
Google has partnered with several satellite companies, such as SpaceX, OneWeb and Telesat, to provide the satellite coverage for Satellite SMS. The feature will be available in most regions of the world, except for some restricted areas due to legal or regulatory reasons. Google has also assured that Satellite SMS will be secure and encrypted, and that it will respect the privacy and data protection of its users.
Android 14 is expected to launch in October 2023, and Satellite SMS will be one of its most anticipated features. The feature will not only enhance the communication capabilities of Android users, but also potentially save lives and help people in need.