Android 14 to bring direct satellite connectivity to smartphones

Google's senior vice president of Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, said via Twitter that the next version of Android (Android 14) will have native support for satellite connectivity.

US-based carrier T-Mobile and Elon Musk's SpaceX recently announced a collaboration that has the potential to transform the future of mobile connections. Using satellites, the two businesses aim to provide connectivity in locations that lack mobile phone coverage.

While the service is scheduled to begin in late 2023, it appears that Google's Android operating system will be ready for it.

Lockheimer, a founding member of the Android team, also talked about the challenges of integrating Wi-Fi and 3G into the T-Mobile G1, the first Android-powered consumer device to be introduced in 2008. Obviously, a great deal has changed since then, with hardware and software constantly advancing.

During the event hosted by T-Mobile and SpaceX, T-Mobile CEO and President Mike Sievert declared an end to mobile dead zones. T-Mobile stated that it will collaborate with SpaceX to deploy satellites that will provide connection in unserved rural areas.

Uncertainty exists as to whether additional carriers or corporations will join the satellite movement, but Google's commitment to the technology appears to be a great initial step toward its widespread adoption.

As expected, this service will only go live in the USA, at least initially. 

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