Overview
- Apple is building satellite-powered Apple Maps navigation that works without cellular or Wi‑Fi, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
- Messages via Satellite is expected to support sending photos, alongside “natural usage” improvements that keep a connection without pointing the phone at the sky.
- Future iPhones are planned to support 5G NTN so cellular networks can tap satellites to extend coverage.
- Apple is developing a satellite API to let third‑party apps optionally use off‑network connectivity.
- Timing is not set and many capabilities require Globalstar infrastructure upgrades that Apple has financed, with a potential SpaceX deal cited as a possible accelerator; advanced features may become paid, and phone calls, video calls, and web browsing over satellite are not planned.