Google isn’t precisely alien to the idea of satellites speaking with telephones. After attempting its fingers with internet-beaming balloons — a mission known as Project Loon — Google invested in SpaceX again in 2015 to assist its satellite tv for pc endeavors, as reported by The New York Times a number of years in the past. As effectively, a Google patent utility filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office talked about how “satellites can present communication companies to areas the place wired cables can’t attain.”
Another patent titled “Satellite Communications Adapter For Cellular Handset” particulars satellite-based narrow-band communication that may hyperlink a telephone with satellites orbiting in area. At the center of all of it is a narrow-band Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) radio entry expertise (RAT); it will kick into motion when the system (that’s, the telephone) detects that it’s out of the common mobile protection zone. Back in 2021, Google was additionally noticed hiring for roles that had one thing to do with satellite tv for pc web suppliers (by way of 9to5Google).
Lockheimer’s tweet mentions that Google is at the moment working with companions to allow the satellite tv for pc communication characteristic for telephones beginning subsequent yr. However, it’s unclear if the time period companions refers to satellite tv for pc connectivity service suppliers like SpaceX and OneWeb or celluar carriers like T-Mobile, or each. Irrespective of enterprise companions working with Google, the flexibility to hyperlink up with satellites as an emergency communication system on Android units could be of nice comfort.
https://www.slashgear.com/991378/google-svp-says-android-is-getting-satellite-phone-tech/
