Qualcomm terminates partnership with Iridium as smartphone manufacturers overlook satellite technology
In a surprising move, Qualcomm has decided to end its collaboration with Iridium for the Snapdragon Satellite project. This comes as a blow to Iridium, which had hoped to incorporate Qualcomm’s satellite connectivity technology into smartphones. However, smartphone manufacturers have shown little interest in adopting this feature, instead opting for standards-based solutions for satellite connectivity.
One of the main reasons behind this disinterest seems to be the smartphone makers’ preference for a more open approach when it comes to satellite connectivity. They do not want to rely on Qualcomm as a middleman and would rather work directly with satellite providers. This shift in attitude means that Iridium can now work directly with smartphone manufacturers, mobile OS developers, and other chipmakers to find innovative ways of integrating satellite connectivity into their devices.
One factor that might have discouraged manufacturers from pursuing satellite texting is the cost associated with it. Satellite communication has always been considered a premium service, and integrating it into smartphones could have added significantly to the overall device cost. Manufacturers may have been reluctant to burden customers with an extra expense for a feature that might not be widely used or appreciated.
While Qualcomm’s exit from the partnership might appear as a setback, it could actually pave the way for more direct collaboration between Iridium and smartphone makers. This could lead to a more seamless integration of satellite connectivity features into upcoming smartphone models.
In other news, Apple has recently announced an enhancement to its emergency SOS feature in the highly anticipated iPhone 15. This new addition will include crash detection integration, allowing the device to automatically detect if the user has been involved in a car accident. Once detected, the iPhone 15 will prompt the user to confirm their safety or call emergency services if needed.
The crash detection integration showcases Apple’s ongoing commitment to improving user safety through innovative technology. This feature has the potential to save lives by rapidly notifying emergency services in critical situations.
With advancements in smartphone technology happening at an unprecedented pace, it will be interesting to see how these developments shape the future of communication and safety features in our handheld devices. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest tech trends, only on Poh Diaries.
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