Once again, Apple's Emergency SOS feature has proven to be a lifesaver in a real-life situation. A 53-year-old mountaineer got stranded on the icy and rugged peaks of the Snowmass Range in Colorado, USA, while attempting to descend from an altitude of 10,000 feet. This area is at a very high altitude, where mobile network coverage is unavailable, and it's difficult to contact anyone. In such a critical situation, the satellite-based SOS feature of the Apple iPhone became a ray of hope for him.
iPhone Feature Works Even Without Network
Apple introduced a unique feature in its iPhone 14 series, which proves to be very effective in times when there is no normal network. Through this satellite-based SOS feature, the individual sent an emergency message from his iPhone via satellite. This message reached his family directly, from where the local sheriff's department of Colorado was immediately notified.
Serious Accident During Mountaineering
According to the information received, the individual had successfully completed the climb and was using a special 'gliding' technique on the way back. During this, his balance was lost, and he slipped on the ice and fell. He sustained serious injuries from the fall and was unable to stand or walk. There were no other mountaineers nearby, and the mobile phone network was completely down.
Rescue Team Provided Help
Upon receiving the information from the family, the local volunteer rescue team became active and reached the area by helicopter within a few hours. Despite the bad weather and difficult terrain, the team found the mountaineer and, after providing first aid, safely transported him to the city. Had contact not been established in time, the outcome of this incident could have been anything.
How Apple's Satellite SOS Works
Apple provided the satellite SOS feature for free with the iPhone 14 series. This feature is useful when neither mobile network nor Wi-Fi is available. In this technology, the iPhone connects to Globalstar satellites in the sky and is able to send text-based emergency messages.
The phone user only needs to be under the open sky and follow the instructions given on the phone screen. This feature transmits location, information about the accident, and other necessary details to the rescue team or acquaintances via satellite.
Apple Offered the Feature for Free
While satellite communication services are generally very expensive, Apple made it available on its iPhone 14 and 15 series without any extra charge. The company partnered with the Globalstar satellite network and launched this feature in the United States, Canada, and some other countries. This initiative by Apple has become a lifesaver for many users.
SOS is Proving to be a Boon in Mountains and Remote Areas
Such features are especially significant for those who go on adventure travel, hiking, mountaineering, or into dense forests. Because there is no mobile signal in these places, a small technology feature can save someone's life. This effort by Apple is a big step towards making smartphones not just a communication device, but a life-saving tool.
Uncertainty Regarding the Feature in Watch Ultra
Apple had plans to bring this feature to more devices. There were discussions about including it in high-end watches like the Apple Watch Ultra, but this plan was put on hold in 2022 due to Apple's failure to reach a deal with Elon Musk's company, Starlink.
Now, there is no clarity about whether this feature will come in the Watch Ultra 3. According to some media reports, the company is now looking for a new satellite network partner so that this feature can be launched in more countries.
SOS is Proving to be a Boon in Mountains and Remote Areas
Such features are especially significant for those who go on adventure travel, hiking, mountaineering, or into dense forests. Because there is no mobile signal in these places, a small technology feature can save someone's life. This effort by Apple is a big step towards making smartphones not just a communication device, but a life-saving tool.
Has Proven Effective Many Times Before
This is not the first time that this Apple feature has come to the rescue. Previously, the feature has proved helpful in incidents in Alaska, Canada, and California. Sometimes a passenger trapped in a snowstorm used it, and sometimes an injured person in a dense forest asked for help by sending their location.
Now that technology is making human life easier day by day, it would not be wrong to say that the iPhone's satellite SOS feature will become even more necessary and common in the future. The initiative taken by Apple in this regard can also become an example for other mobile manufacturers.
