Imagine being able to contact emergency services even when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable.
That capacity has now been triggered in the latest generation of Apple iPhones accessible in Australia, which has been welcomed as a potentially significant step forwards for rural safety.
Apple said that users in Australia and New Zealand can now use Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite capability on their iPhone 14 generation devices, which were introduced in Australia last September.
The technology, which is available on all iPhone 14 models, allows users to communicate with emergency services while they are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Furthermore, users who wish to reassure friends and family about their locations when travelling in an area with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage can now launch the Find My app and communicate their whereabouts through satellite.
Read more about this feature from Apple here.
NSW Farmers says the rollout of emergency satellite connectivity on the latest iPhones will be “a lifesaver for the bush”.
The feature would partly solve a major issue for rural and remote communities where with limited or no mobile phone reception, NSW Farmers Rural Affairs committee chair Deb Charlton said.
“While this won’t help us deal with the issue of data connectivity or being able to run your business from the paddock, this puts safety in more pockets across the country,” Mrs Charlton said.
“We are continuing to advocate for improved mobile phone coverage for farmers and rural communities, because it is a major factor holding country businesses back.
“But in the short term this technology means that even if you’re stuck without a signal and a long way from help, you’ll be able to tell someone where you are, and that’s a good thing.”
Last year, the Emergency SOS through satellite capacity was launched in the United States and Canada, and it has since been gradually spread to additional countries. Mrs Charlton expressed her desire to see this type of technology spread to additional gadgets.
“Like any new technology it’s not cheap – the price of the new iPhone 14 starts at $1399, but it’s an important step forward for safety,” Mrs Charlton said.
“What we’ve seen in the past with safety technology like seatbelts is they become more common, other manufacturers adopt them, and eventually they’re a regular feature.
“For a great big land like Australia, being able to call for help when you’re out of coo-ee will be a gamechanger.”
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