Apple has recently released the iOS 18.3 update.
There is a long list of updates included here, but all the buzz circled around about Apple Intelligence, features that were supposed to come out along with the iPhone 16 series. One feature that wasn’t loud enough was the new Starlink connectivity.
This means users can send text messages using Starlink’s satellite.
iPhones have had an emergency SOS feature for a while now. However, you had to point your phone upwards towards the sky, searching for a strong signal. Yes, it’s similar to what we sometimes do. This feature is useful when there are no available networks around, such as when you are in the wilderness.
A Starlink-connected iPhone would mean you can send messages even if you’re high up in the mountains without a cell signal. Also, Starlink’s connectivity works without you needing to search for a signal in the sky.
It should be noted that this is for T-Mobile networks, at least for now.
It’s also currently in the beta phase and only selected iPhones using T-Mobile have been enabled. Though more will be rolling out within February.
T-Mobile said this feature will eventually be available to Android devices as well. Most likely the latest phones with Android 15–but that’s a speculation on our part.