sms wrote:

> The expectation is that the 5G modem that Apple is developing will allow
> for GPS tracking, as well as messaging (not calls) using the Globalstar
> satellite network, similar to the SPOT devices
> <https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/>.

This will be an _adult_ discussion, which, of course, iKooks won't
understand as they are here merely to defend Apple - no matter what.

First off, if someone posts a URL, I read it (and understand it) given I am
well educated enough to easily & openly admit I'm ignorant of satellite tech
as it applies to people using them for personal communication purposes.

Skimming that web page <https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/>, it appears to be
a product line catering, based on the marketing images & wording, to fear.

Nothing wrong with catering to fear - Apple does it all the time - but
that's what it appears to be catering to. Basically you buy the device, and
you subscribe to the service, and all your fears instantly go away.

The money is in the subscription, of course, where their cheapest plan is:
BASIC = $11.95/MO. 12 Month Term Applies
Messages = 20 CUSTOM MESSAGES (is that per year or per month or what?)
Overages = 25� per msg
S.O.S. = UNLIMITED
CHECK IN MESSAGES = UNLIMITED
PREDEFINED MESSAGES = UNLIMITED
TRACKING = 10, 30, 60 minutes
Tracking will have to be reset after 24-hours.
MOVEMENT ALERT = Not Included
ACTIVATION FEE = $29.95

The ADVANCED plan ($20/month) & UNLIMITED plan ($30/month) differ mostly on
the number of "custom messages" and halved tracking peruids and the addition
of movement alerts.

Hence, in ten years, with the lowest plan to allay your fears, it will cost
you the device cost plus the activation plus at least $1,500 to allay fears.

> This was originally rumored for the iPhone 13 but did not materialize.
> It could even be in the iPhone 14, using a discrete chip.
> <https://www.nextpit.com/iphone-14-satellite-connectivity-emergency>.

Again, if someone posts a URL, I will at least skim it, where I looked at
*iPhone 14 could feature unique satellite connectivity for emergency
alerts*
<https://www.nextpit.com/iphone-14-satellite-connectivity-emergency>

How much are your fears worth to you is what they seem to advertise
(much like Apple does, by the way).

The _adult_ concept here (which iKooks can't comprehend) is that, as
expected, the "rumored service" would be designed to allay fears:
"This feature will be used in sending emergency alerts
and notifications to and from authorities"

Any _adult_ could have predicted years ahead of time that Apple would be
designing such a service to be sold to the most fearful people out there,
and the article Steve points to alludes to that very observation indeed:
"Apple will utilize satellite networks of Globalstar around the globe
to send emergency alerts to authorities directly from your iPhone 14
or Apple Watch Series 8. Your device would be able to send the user's
remote locations to responders"

Notice the important fact that the rumored service is simply a collection of
existing hardware (both on the ground and in orbit) and a subscription to
it, where the integration into the phone would most likely be using the
existing circuitry which is _already_ in the aforementioned product line.

In essence, it's a clever marketing move.
It's all marketing and almost zero new R&D.
And, it markets to people who are filled to the brim with fear.

If it happens, of course.
But there's really no barrier since globalstar already did the work (IMHO)
although it may work differently than existing globalstar products (and the
satellite workload could vastly increase if billions of iPhones start using
them).

All Apple needs to do, IMHO, is the (admittedly stellar) marketing.

> See
> <https://connectivitybusiness.com/news/ma-investments/globalstar-annual-report-provides-clues-that-key-client-is-apple/>.

Yet another URL to skim and summarize for the _adults_ here to discuss.
*Globalstar annual report provides clues that key client is Apple*

<https://connectivitybusiness.com/news/ma-investments/globalstar-annual-report-provides-clues-that-key-client-is-apple/>.
"Louisiana-based Globalstar (NYSE American: GSAT) has signed a
$327 million terms agreement with a �potential customer�
to launch 17 satellites. The unnamed counterparty to the terms agreement
will reimburse 95% of capital expenditures as well as certain other costs"

I guess Steve's insinuation is that Apple is that "unnamed" party.

> This capability would be a game changer for many users. Just last
> weekend my daughter was backpacking in Henry Coe State Park in
> southeastern Santa Clara County and someone in another group of
> backpackers was bitten by a rattlesnake.

I hike in the Santa Cruz mountains all the time. A rattlesnake is something
you just deal with (just like you would with a broken leg or a black widow
spider, or a mountain lion, or just running out of cell phone signal).

> Cell phone coverage is spotty
> deep in the park, with no coverage on T-Mobile...

Now how did I _know_ that line was coming up next when you sell fear?

Note to adults: Steve is a consummate politician. He sells fear.
He can't sell facts. But he _loves_ to sell fear.

All his maps are doctored. And they never show their source.
Just like all good consummate politicians would do.

> some limited coverage on
> AT&T, and more, but still limited coverage on Verizon (see
> <https://i.imgur.com/vpgVTEJ.png>).

Now how did I _know_ that was coming up next when you point to highly
doctored maps, which themselves are designed by you to sow fear?

> Someone in a Boy Scout group had a
> satellite device and they were able to summon help and a helicopter
> arrived to evacuate the victim.

Whew. Thank God. You are consistent with your fear-based politics.

I was beginning to wonder if you were gonna claim that the president of
Verizon was in the group, thank God, and that's what saved his life.

> Decades ago I was backpacking east of Yosemite National Park (Lake
> Helen) and a small plane crashed in a box canyon about 200 meters from
> where we were camping. We rushed over and the pilot and passenger were
> shaken but had only minor injuries. Someone in our group ran out to get
> a ranger and they brought in a helicopter. Satellite capability would
> have been nice to have (no cell phones at that time either).

I wonder if you (or the iKooks) realize all your messages are based on fear?
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