Google explains Android 15 satellite messaging a bit more Hallie Frederick | usagoldmines.com

Earlier this week, Google launched the steady Android 15 replace for Pixel smartphones. In its press launch, which was distributed to the media earlier than the launch, it had a single sentence about what might be probably the most important addition to the working system: satellite messaging support. That single sentence is right here:

Service messaging apps can use satellite tv for pc connectivity to ship and obtain messages with no cell or Wi-Fi connection.

Sadly, regardless of what this press launch says, satellite tv for pc messaging just isn’t presently obtainable on Android 15. In truth, trying to find “satellite tv for pc” in Android’s settings on a Pixel 9 Professional solely brings up emergency satellite messaging, which is a distinct characteristic that could be a Pixel 9 unique and initially landed with Android 14.

This begs the query: what’s truly occurring with satellite tv for pc messaging on Android 15? We reached out to Google for some solutions and now have some explanations that make issues a bit clearer than they had been beforehand. Nevertheless, true readability nonetheless eludes us. However for now, let’s get into what we do know.

Satellite tv for pc messaging in Android 15: Which telephones, which carriers?

As a fast primer, satellite tv for pc messaging in Android 15 permits customers to ship textual content messages when terrestrial networks — Wi-Fi and cell towers — are unavailable. The perform is much like Pixel’s Satellite tv for pc SOS characteristic and the iPhone’s Emergency SOS characteristic, however as an alternative of being locked to messaging solely emergency providers, you possibly can message anybody. This could help you, for instance, ship a textual content message to your mother to let her know you made it safely to an off-the-grid cabin within the woods. You’d solely want a transparent view of the sky to ship that message.

The primary query we had for Google was whether or not or not this may work on any cellphone with Android 15 or if it could be software-locked to sure units. Assuming the cellphone has the correct {hardware}, Google says that all telephones with Android 15 could have the aptitude to make use of satellite tv for pc messaging. Nevertheless, it did add that carriers providing a satellite tv for pc messaging service may determine to restrict service to particular telephones. Plainly that is one thing Google can’t — or received’t — management.

Carriers’ affect over satellite tv for pc messaging was anticipated. Even earlier than Google formally introduced this characteristic, rumors pointed to its growth, and we knew that it wouldn’t be free. Utilizing texts to message emergency providers is presently free on iPhones and Pixels as a result of it is not going to be typically that folk might want to try this. However it could be exorbitantly costly to have a “the place is that this relationship going” dialog together with your girlfriend utilizing satellites, so there’s simply no means that will be free. You’re going to wish to pay your service for that privilege, which might be the largest purpose we don’t see satellite tv for pc messaging energetic but in Android 15 — carriers are nonetheless understanding cost for it.

Rumors abound that T-Mobile — in partnership with Starlink — could be the primary service to have a satellite tv for pc messaging plan for Android telephones. Nevertheless, full data on that supposed plan hasn’t been rolled out, and we’ve heard little or no about Verizon and AT&T’s intentions on this realm. However from Google’s assertion to us, it seems Google is leaving it as much as carriers to do no matter it’s they wish to do — even when which means blocking sure telephones.

So as to add a bit extra readability right here, we additionally requested if satellite tv for pc messaging would solely work with T-Cell. Google mentioned that it’s working with a number of carriers not simply within the US however world wide. As standard, for a timeframe, Google’s response was “quickly.”

What app will you want for satellite tv for pc messaging on Android 15?

Google’s press launch sentence mentions “service messaging apps.” This led us to consider that we may see particular apps from carriers that customers would want to make the most of satellite tv for pc messaging. This could be unusual since each main US service — and even Samsung, unexpectedly — has moved to undertake Google Messages because the default messaging app on Android telephones, abandoning makes an attempt at carrier-branded messaging apps. Verizon, for instance, recently did away with its Message Plus app to go all-in on Google’s Messages. Why wouldn’t it do that if it could then push a brand new app only for satellite tv for pc messaging?

Google advised us that the truth could be far more simple than it could appear. It advised us that no particular settings could be essential to allow satellite tv for pc messaging on Android 15. All that might want to occur is that carriers might want to “swap on” the service, after which customers could have entry to it. Theoretically, this might work proper in Messages. In truth, we have now already seen loads of proof that Google has been working behind the scenes to enable this in Messages, even going as far as to incorporate directions on place your cellphone to greatest talk with the satellites and how one can message with “anybody.”

In different phrases, you shouldn’t anticipate to wish a brand new messaging app for satellite tv for pc connectivity. It is extremely seemingly every thing will work in Messages, no less than right here within the US.

Google has made it clear: The ball is in carriers’ courts now

The essential gist of all this data is that Google has achieved all it will probably. Android 15 helps satellite tv for pc messaging, and the corporate has been engaged on incorporating user-facing options for this throughout the Messages app. All that’s left now’s for carriers to supply plans that enable customers to message anybody, wherever, no matter terrestrial connectivity.

The query now’s when that might probably occur. As talked about earlier, T-Cell was the service furthest alongside on this growth, but it surely hasn’t made any official announcement. At this level, it’s anybody’s guess as to when individuals can use one in all Android 15’s star options — and anybody’s guess as to how a lot that might price. Will you have to pay for every message? Will you pay for each the outgoing and incoming messages? Will you be charged extra for group messages? Will there be a subscription plan that will get you limitless messages? All these questions are in carriers’ arms now.

The underside line, although, is that it will likely be fairly some time earlier than you’ll be texting your mother from that off-the-grid cabin, so make different preparations till then. Would possibly we recommend the Garmin inReach Mini 2?