Apple ’s Emergency SOS planet connectivity characteristic debuted last November and has already played a central role in several dramatic , lifesaving rescues . It ’s helped plucklost hikersout of L.A. County ’s canyons and locate strandedsnowmobilersin remote parts of Alaska . And now , it ’s helping save folks struggling to outrun thewildfirestaking over the Hawaiian island of Maui .
Michael J. Miraflortweetedout screenshots depicting what it ’s like on the emergency contact side of Apple ’s proprietary oblation . As described , Miraflor ’s “ brother ’s girlfriend ’s first cousin ” and his family were on holiday in Maui ’s Lahaina area when they dead realized their surroundings had “ erupted ” into fire . Screenshots show how the family member used the iPhone 14 ’s orbiter - ground Emergency SOS divine service to substance for help . Despite being in a fundamental tourist area where you ’d expect cell service , the kin likely lost connection as the flame overpower the infrastructure .
“ Five people inside a white caravan , ” publish the call for aid , followed by a agonising all - caps outcry . “ PLEASE ADVISE ! FIRE EVERYWHERE . ” It took about 34 minute of back and forward between the iPhone 14 sending off details , Apple ’s Emergency SOS expeditiousness center , and the local authorities before the rescue concluded . It ’s all documented in one longsighted run - on screenshot , which you could view in the original tweet . The person listed as emergency middleman in the iPhone is privy to the entire rescue via a log , include when class members were safely away from risk .
Image: Courtesy of Michael J. Miraflor / Zeke Kalua / County of Maui (AP)
My comrade ’s girl ’s cousin and his family were get in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfire dead erupt around them .
No jail cell service , so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responder . Literally saved their lives.pic.twitter.com/PpxNwTGOAf
— Michael J. Miraflor ( @michaelmiraflor)August 10 , 2023
I contacted Miraflor to confirm where the screenshots come from . He answer that the textbook were from his pal ’s girlfriend , the emergency liaison for the cousin who reach out for help in Maui . I also checked in with Apple , and while the company is not providing comment on this specific representative , it did beam over a link to itssupport pageto help remind everyone of how to get Emergency SOS via artificial satellite trigger on a compatible iPhone . you could try a demo at menage to find out how it works beforehand while calm and not face impendent disaster .
Apple invested a ton of money into its Emergency SOS via satellite feature — about$450 millionin the U.S. alone . The company ’s latest machine , theiPhone 14/14 Prohas the requisite satellite - pinging hardware for the lineament . They ’re currently the only framework with the lineament , though it ’s likely theiPhone 15plans to gestate the legacy . The SOS servicing has since expanded to more areas around the globe — the U.S. , Canada , most of Western Europe , New Zealand , and Australia . International travelers visiting a locating with Emergency SOS can take reward of the feature if they line up themselves in a bind unless they buy their phone in mainland China , Hong Kong , or Macao .
Android substance abuser are still waiting for their equivalent feature . Earlier this year , Qualcommdemonstratedthe planet connectivity capabilities as they would exist in future Android smartphones , though only for manufacturer like Samsung , which use Qualcomm ’s chips in its phones . Google ’s Pixel smartphones are made in - house . Though Android ’s SVP , Hiroshi Lockheimer , haspromised supportfor satellite connectivity inAndroid 14(due out presently ) , there is no centralized offering akin to the one Apple has for iPhone user , nor an accompanying organization of emergency brake dispatchers like Apple ’s .
The Pixel 6 andPixel 7offer car clank detection but will only call for avail if connected to cell serving . Motorola also launch the standaloneMotorola Defy . It tether to an Android twist to propose satellite SOS but is not a build - in solution .
The ability to get through emergency services despite a deficiency of cell service of process has been a significant value - add for Apple ’s ecosystem . And with this coverage in the face of constant climate disasters , it could very well be the thing that continues to lure in users who want a platform with emergency help natively built in . Hopefully , Android go on board soon because it feel like we ’ll all be outrun some major climate cataclysm sooner or after with only our phones in hand .
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