Latest news with #AppleEmergencySOS
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Apple's SOS via satellite saves life at 10,000 feet: What is it? And is it available in India?
iPhone saved the life of a Mountaineer: Apple Emergency SOS via satellite just saved a mountaineer's life, highlighting how iPhone satellite SOS is becoming essential for outdoor safety. Stranded at nearly 10,000 feet on Colorado's Snowmass Mountain after injuring his wrist, the climber couldn't access cellular or Wi‑Fi—but a timely distress message sent via Apple's satellite messaging helped launch a rescue operation. The message reached his family, who alerted Mountain Rescue Aspen, and 17 rescuers successfully reached him at 10,980 feet in harsh terrain. This incident reinforces the life-saving impact of Apple's Emergency SOS, a feature that bypasses traditional networks to connect users with help in remote regions. It's a powerful reminder: tech can differentiate between life and danger when we're far from help. What happened to the mountaineer? This time, the event concerns a 53-year-old mountaineer who could not move when stranded at a high altitude in the mountains. However, he could use his iPhone's satellite messaging feature to send a distress message, which led to his successful rescue. KDVR (via Apple Insider) reported that the climber had reached the top of Snowmass Mountain and started to descend by employing glissading, a controlled way of sliding down snow-covered slopes. He sustained a wrist injury during this descent, preventing him from continuing on foot. He was stuck, alone in a hostile environment, and without access to cellular service or Wi-Fi to call for help. But he messaged a family member using the satellite texting feature on his iPhone. After that, the family member informed Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office. His message assisted in his location once the rescue authorities received the information. According to reports, 17 skilled volunteers from Mountain Rescue Aspen were sent out to find and help the climber. Rescue officials then emphasized the significance of having an emergency communication device in distant places after the tragedy. Apple's satellite messaging function was crucial to the rescue since it allowed the climber to contact rescue personnel even without a cellular connection. What is iPhone's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature By pointing the phone skyward and following on-screen instructions, users can send brief messages via satellite using the Emergency SOS feature, which is available on iPhone 14 and later versions. In order to promptly provide emergency responders with critical information, the system guides users through a series of questions. Notably, the system eliminates the need for conventional mobile towers by connecting straight to satellites in space. Responders can exchange messages to coordinate rescue efforts after the initial message is issued. In this instance, the satellite-enabled message's speed and clarity probably shortened reaction times and helped to achieve a favorable result. Is Apple emergency SOS via satellite feature available in India Notably, only a few nations—including the US, UK, Italy, Japan, and others—have access to this capability. In India, it is not accessible. How iPhone's Emergency SOS via Satellite works? Emergency SOS via satellite can assist you in contacting them in dire situations where there are no other options for contacting emergency services. If you phone or text emergency services, your iPhone attempts to connect you via satellite. You cannot connect because you are in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. You must be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon to connect to a satellite. Sending or receiving a message via cellular is not the same as using a satellite connection. Your iPhone 14 or later (all models) may use Emergency SOS via satellite if you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage to automatically notify emergency services of a severe car crash or a hard fall if your iPhone or Apple Watch detects one and you're not responding. How to connect to Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone? In the event that your regular cellular carrier network is unavailable, try dialling 911 or emergency services. The iPhone only shows the SOS icon and tries to route any emergency calls through other networks, if any are available, if your carrier's cellular network is down. To text emergency services in the event that the call is unsuccessful, select Emergency Text via Satellite. Another option is to open the Messages app, select Emergency Services, and then text 911 or SOS. After selecting Report Emergency, adhere to the prompts displayed on the screen.
Stuff.tv
13-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
This free iOS update brings one must-have feature to the iPhone 13
Just when you thought the latest smartphones could do it all, they gained the ability to talk to the sky. Sort of. From the iPhone 14 range onwards, Apple began including satellite connectivity tech in its handsets for emergencies. And now, thanks to the free iOS 18.5 software update, these capabilities are available to anyone still using the iPhone 13. Now, this isn't quite the full-fledged Apple Emergency SOS satellite service you get on the iPhone 14 and above. Instead, it's 'carrier-provided' satellite support. Right now, this means T-Mobile's Starlink-powered messaging service. When other carriers begin offering a similar service, they'll also be supported by the feature on iPhone 13 devices. If you're a T-Mobile user with any of the iPhone 13 models – Mini, Pro, Pro Max, or the regular one – you can now send messages via satellite. That's provided you're in the US and you hop on the trial before it wraps up in July. While it's not quite the red-button, save-me-now Emergency SOS feature that newer iPhones enjoy, this is down to hardware limitations on the iPhone 13. It's still the kind of must-have feature that gives your older device a new lease on life. You don't need to be stranded up a mountain for this feature to matter – dodgy reception on the motorway when you've broken down could justify it. The rest of iOS 18.5's additions are much more minor. Apple's newest Pride wallpaper for 2025 is now available. Parents can now get pinged when their kid tries to outsmart Screen Time with the passcode. And there's a fix for the Apple Vision Pro app showing a black screen, which is very niche unless you're a Vision Pro early adopter. Apple's free iOS 18.5 update is free and rolling out now to all compatible iPhones. If you're in the US on T-Mobile, you can try out the satellite messaging service on iPhone 13 devices or newer at no cost before the trial ends in July.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Phone feature helps rescue family lost in Red River Gorge
RED RIVER GORGE, Ky. (FOX 56) — At 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wolfe County Search and Rescue crews were alerted that a family of three was lost in the Red River Gorge, including a small child. Authorities said the family went out to hike Tower Rock Trail but eventually got lost after crossing over to a different trail. The family used the Apple Emergency SOS feature, which provided a set of coordinates to help rescuers locate the family about 2.5 miles from the Bison trailhead. 'In our case, Wolfe County Search and Rescue went right to their location, and they were back to safety in roughly an hour and a half,' Kevin Osbourn, with the rescue team, said. University alumni rally for 'One Day for UK' event Phone feature helps rescue family lost in Red River Gorge Former inmate set to lead new re-entry program at the Jessamine County Detention Center He said the family was cold but otherwise okay. The team gets called out for rescues in the Gorge 60-70 times a year. Osbourn said it's important for hikers to become familiar with this phone feature. iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite allows people with the iPhone 14 and later to connect and get help when a cellular signal is unavailable. If you do not have an iPhone, Osbourn said there are other precautions to take. Read more of the latest Kentucky news 'Tell somebody, tell a loved one or a friend, 'Hey I'm going into the woods; this is the time,'' Osbourn said. Sandy Moore and her family made the spring break trip to the gorge from family completed a short hike and said they make sure to follow safety measures, like bringing snacks and doing research ahead of time. 'The right footwear is good, so we definitely want to make sure we either have hiking shoes or shoes with good treads and just take it slow and steady,' Moore said. Search and rescue crews encourage people not to shy away from bringing a traditional map with them when going hiking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
