Intel Emerges as Key Contender in Apple’s Chip Manufacturing Strategy Shift 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to Join Trump’s China Visit Amid AI Chip Tensions 
Morgan Stanley Bets on Optical Component Stocks in Greater China Tech Sector 
Supermicro Forecasts Strong Q4 Revenue Growth as AI Server Demand Surges 
TikTok Nears $400 Million Settlement With Trump Administration Over Child Privacy Lawsuit 
Nintendo Shares Tumble as Weak Forecast and Rising Switch 2 Costs Worry Investors 
Anthropic Eyes $300M Stainless Acquisition Amid Enterprise AI Expansion 
Broadcom Eyes $35 Billion AI Chip Financing Deal With Apollo and Blackstone 
CSL Shares Crash as Profit Warning and $5 Billion Impairment Shake Investors 
Goldman Sachs Delays Fed Rate Cut Forecast to 2026 Amid Rising Inflation Concerns 
Arteris Stock Surges After Strong Q1 Earnings Beat and Higher 2026 Outlook 
Reliance Industries Reworks Jio IPO Into Fresh Share Sale Amid Valuation Talks 
Japan’s Top Banks to Gain Access to Anthropic’s Claude Mythos AI Model 
AMD Q1 Earnings Surge on AI Demand, Stock Jumps After Strong Guidance 
Dell Stock Hits Record High After Trump Endorsement, AI Server Demand Fuels Rally 
US Auto Industry Urges Trump to Block Chinese EV Market Access 
More tech companies appear to be working on making satellite connectivity more widely available without the need to buy expensive sat phones. Google is the latest company to announce its efforts in bringing the technology to smartphones through the Android 14 update.
Google SVP of Platforms and Ecosystems Hiroshi Lockheimer said in a post on Twitter that it is “wild to think” that smartphones are gaining direct satellite connections. He then recalled that “it was a stretch” in 2008 to just put 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity to mobile phones.
Wild to think about user experiences for phones that can connect to satellites. When we launched G1 in '08 it was a stretch to get 3G + Wifi working. Now we're designing for satellites. Cool! Excited to support our partners in enabling all of this in the next version of Android!
— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) September 1, 2022
“Now we're designing for satellites, Lockheimer said. “Excited to support our partners in enabling all of this in the next version of Android!” Google confirmed to 9To5Google that Lockheimer was referring to Android 14.
Google’s support for bringing direct satellite connection to Android phones came shortly after T-Mobile and SpaceX announced their partnership in making the tech available in the United States. T-Mobile said last week that its Un-carrier plans will offer “near complete coverage” in most US locations, including hard-to-reach places and areas with no cell signals, thanks to SpaceX’s low Earth orbit satellites.
In the same announcement, T-Mobile said most smartphones on T-Mobile’s network will be compatible with direct satellite communication “using the device’s existing radio.” This means most T-Mobile customers do not have to buy new devices to enjoy the upcoming service.
Satellite connection will allow smartphone users to send messages even without a cell signal, which would be very helpful during emergencies. T-Mobile says its satellite service will support text messaging (SMS and MMS), as well as some “participating messaging apps.” But the company noted it will also pursue support for voice and data coverage over satellite connections.
Satellite connections in common smartphones will likely become widely available next year. T-Mobile and SpaceX’s service will enter beta tests in select US areas in late 2023 following the latter’s planned satellite launches. This lines up with the expected release window of Android 14 in the second half of 2023.
The addition of satellite connections is very likely to be the next major development in the smartphone industry. Apple is also rumored to be working on adding this feature to upcoming iPhones and Apple Watch.
Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
