Image: Google
Satellite connectivity might be a game-changer for Android users venturing beyond cellular coverage. While initial talks focused on emergency texting, a recent Google Maps beta hints at a potentially more impactful feature: location updates via satellite.
PiunikaWeb discovered code snippets in Google Maps v11.125, suggesting a new UI for users lacking cellular connection. When data drops, a "Connect to satellite" option appears within Maps, enabling location updates every 15 minutes, with a daily limit of five.
This limit underscores the cost of satellite communication. Unlike standard cellular data, messages and location updates travel to overhead satellites, then down to ground stations for processing. This incurs higher expenses for phone companies. This is why Apple has only guaranteed a two-year free trial of satellite features on iPhones.