For a whole week, insiders have been reporting that Qualcomm plans to introduce its own satellite communications system, and today, January 6, the company at CES 2023 did indeed announce the Snapdragon Satellite feature, which will soon appear on flagship Android devices. This feature will allow users to enable two-way messaging via satellite communications in emergency situations. Qualcomm said the technology already spans the entire planet from pole to pole, operating in much the same way as a similar system from Apple.
True, the Snapdragon Satellite system has a number of limitations. For example, to use the technology, you need a clear sky above your head. It is likely that the signal will be able to break through the clouds, but it will definitely not work indoors to use satellite communications. In addition, at the moment, the technology will only work in tandem with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, because it is the only one equipped with the new generation Snapdragon X70 5G flagship modem. This modem supports radio frequency systems, so it can connect to the Iridium Communications satellite system.
And here the first serious question arises – during the presentation, Qualcomm employees said that the Snapdragon Satellite system will be launched on supported smartphones in the second half of 2023. At the same time, there is no data on whether the system will be supported on already presented devices running Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Also at the presentation, not a word was said about whether the service would be free or if you would have to pay for the ability to send a message in an emergency. At Apple, for example, the function is provided free of charge for only two years, but it is not known what the competitor will do. As well as in which regions of the world the new technology will work.
At the same time, Qualcomm said that in the future a similar function can be presented not only in smartphones – it is possible to implement the Snapdragon X70 5G modem in laptops, tablets, IoT devices, and even cars. Probably, in the near future, when the technology is in demand among users, the same modem can be placed in more affordable smartphones, and not just in flagship devices. It remains to be seen how well the new service will work and whether it can effectively help people in emergency situations around the world.
Source: Trash Box
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
