> Of course, Apple’s solution will likely only work with iMessage.
What makes you think that? (Messages doesn’t need to be on your carrier’s network to send/receive MMS/SMS messages.)
What makes you think that? (Messages doesn’t need to be on your carrier’s network to send/receive MMS/SMS messages.)
This is Apple we are talking about. They wouldn’t make this play without some form of vendor lock-in. They will probably choose to lock in based on hardware (“must have iPhone 14 for this capability!”) — but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them lock in on the software side as well.
If I were Tim Cook, I might play both sides. “Bandwidth is limited, so for now, this will only work with iMessage.” This gives them room to open it up later for more good PR, and allows them to test the reaction of having it only work with their proprietary software.
I have no insider knowledge here. I follow this space closely due to co-owning an independent repair business that primarily works on Apple products.
I understand, but an iMessages¹-only Messages² is a non-starter at Apple because it causes complexity and customer confusion, two things that Apple is stellar³ at minimizing.
¹protocol ²app ³overall, always exceptions
If you are standing on top of a mountain, right now you can’t send anything.
With Apple’s upcoming announcement, you’ll be able to send an iMessage.
If you try to send a SMS, it just won’t go through—-same as it would today.
I hope Apple allows it for all messages, personally. But I could definitely see them restricting it, especially at the beginning.
I may be confused about the scenario then, because this does work for me. Specifically, when I turn off my cellular radio (I'm a T-Mobile customer) I can still send and receive messages to people not using iDevices.
Right, but the point of an iPhone that can talk to satellites that I'll generally always have at least a low-bitrate IP connection? Because with that, I can text iDevice and Android users alike.
You should complain to your carrier. I'm on at least 5 different active text chains at any given time (family, friend groups, school parents) with a mix of devices, and it all works fine.
> …videos turn to 12 pixel noise…
That's an MMS limitation. If you regularly send videos, you'll want to use WhatsApp or some other non-standards-based messaging app.
The value-add now is that you keep and iPhone so you have iMessage. You stay blue bubble etc.
The value add of satellite is that you have service on a mountain (or a plane?). The value is that most androids won’t have that (a musk-maybe-one-day project aside).
It’s way more likely they’ll make it exclusively available on high end phones. Thats a way more obvious play for apple.
End game will be their own private networks but that's still a while away