what you need to know
- A deep dive into Android’s code appears to reveal what Google has done to implement the new Satellite SOS UI.
- The user interface will guide users through the setup process as they must align their phone with satellites to start communicating with emergency services.
- Google is preparing to introduce satellite connectivity in Android 15 and the upcoming Pixel 9.
Someone digging into Google’s code appears to have uncovered the first glimpses of what’s being called “how users can get their Android satellite connections to work.”
According to Google News on Telegram, users must align their phones with satellites floating in low orbit (via GSMArena). During the setup process, users will be prompted to “get a clear view of the sky” by avoiding obstacles such as buildings, trees and mountains, the code says.
Once completed, the user will see a UI page with a large circle in the center. Its purpose is to help users locate nearby satellites. Make sure you’re facing the satellite (i.e. the satellite is in the center of the radius) for a stronger connection.
The post added that users can minimize this SOS page while connected to continue texting emergency services personnel or family members. Android turns the page into a floating display on the device’s home page, similar to a widget. If minimized, the user will continue to ensure that the satellites are properly aligned with the phone.
Google News says the new SOS UI is coming to Android’s Adaptive Connectivity Services app. Currently, it is not a user-accessible page as it is still under development.
This is a first look at the Android Satellite Pointing UI. To connect via satellite, you need to “move your phone so that the satellite is in the center of the circle.” This UI can be minimized to a floating window, useful for staying connected while you text emergency services pic.twitter.com/V0cKY8BJ5cApril 15, 2024
We’ve known for a while that Google was preparing to offer satellite connectivity with Android 15, and a second developer preview of the software shared more information. The preview highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to implement such connectivity for the next major operating system released later this year. Apps in Android 15 will be able to declare whether the user is connected to a satellite.
Additionally, Google has added support for SMS/MMS and RCS chat when connected to satellite.
More importantly, there was news yesterday (April 15) that Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 Tensor G4 chip will use a new Samsung modem. The modem is said to support 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), providing satellite connectivity capabilities to the new flagship series.
Android 15 recently hit its first beta milestone, which means we’re on track for Google’s release schedule (probably this fall).