The recent update to the ‘Adaptive Connectivity Services’ app version p.2024.08 makes preparations for the new ‘Satellite SOS’ emergency feature. It will allow you to message emergency services and let them know your location when you cannot connect to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
The settings page, located at Settings/Safety & Emergency/Satellite SOS, includes how the feature works, the ability to customize the info that will be shared with the emergency services, and a link to purchase Garmin Search & Rescue insurance. The page also has a link to a support page with a list of supported countries, which is not working yet.
While the description clearly refers to “your Pixel”, which devices will be supported is unclear. Additionally, the latest update to Google Messages adds a new SATELLITE_COMMUNICATION permission. A while ago Neïl Rahmouni showed a UI for conversations and SOS messages using satellite connection in Google Messages app.
Here’s a thread from @MishaalRahman about the upcoming satellite connectivity APIs that I highly recommend you reading if you wanna learn more about it: https://t.co/o9YCkKUu32
— Neïl Rahmouni 🐢 (@neil_rahmouni) August 17, 2023
