Toni Dimaano Tech 01.06.2023 04:Jan AM EST

CES 2023: Qualcomm Unveils Android Satellite Messaging Feature Snapdragon Satellite

Qualcomm has launched Snapdragon Satellite, its own satellite messaging functionality for Android phones.

The Snapdragon Satellite will enable gadgets with the X70 modems to connect to satellites in order to relay communications when there is not a cellular signal, according to Engadget.

Qualcomm Brings Off-The-Grid Texting To Android Devices In 2023

The feature is the result of a collaboration with renowned satellite phone manufacturer Iridium, and it should start appearing on phones in the second half of 2023.

In both emergency and non-emergency situations, Android phones with the X70 modem and Qualcomm's SOC will be able to connect to the Iridium satellite network thanks to the collaboration.

Like with a lot of Qualcomm's technology, the specifics of how these capabilities will appear and function will be mainly decided by the various phone manufacturers.

Device manufacturers will have a lot of freedom in how they implement satellite messaging, especially for texts sent between individuals.

However, Qualcomm provided an early look at the technology at CES, an idea of what to expect in terms of functionality, even though we don't know precisely how it will look when it comes.

According to The Verge, although Qualcomm claims the emergency service will be free or extremely inexpensive, it hasn't yet provided information on the pricing.

Additionally, Qualcomm claims that consumers will be able to use it with their regular phone number once that service is made accessible.

How Will The Qualcomm Satellite Service Work

Users must be outside with a clear sky view in order to use Qualcomm's satellite messaging, just like with Apple's Emergency SOS.

When activated, an on-screen message will provide instructions on how to direct the user's device to a satellite in order to establish a connection.

It is important to note that when Qualcomm representatives showed how to connect to satellites, positioning the phone took only a few seconds.

With this, they asserted that establishing a connection in a real off-grid setting ought to be just as simple, Engadget reports.

The demonstration devices could send text messages to a pre-set whitelist of contacts once they were connected to a satellite.

In order to prevent spam messages from clogging up satellite networks, Qualcomm said that functionality will remain in place.

However, the company also acknowledged that OEMs might make the texting feel more like a standard messaging app.

Moreover, other restrictions in comparison to conventional messaging apps include the inability to send images or videos through satellite.

Satellite communications are only permitted to be 140 bytes long, or roughly 160 characters, so they resemble an old-school SMS more than what is anticipated from contemporary apps.

It is also important to note that Qualcomm wants the Snapdragon Satellite to be used for non-emergency messages, in contrast to Apple's Emergency SOS.

As a result, users of the Android version could find it a little more practical to use satellite messaging to stay in touch with friends and family in locations where they would ordinarily be out of reach.

However, non-emergency SMS will definitely incur additional fees, so you should generally limit how often you use the service.

Although Qualcomm declined to estimate the potential cost of these communications, it is logical to anticipate that they will be more expensive than a standard SMS.