Apple is planning new satellite features for iPhones: report

Apple is planning significant expansions of satellite connectivity features on iPhone models, according to a new report by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg's Apple analyst.

According to the report, these new satellite features would enable users to navigate with Apple Maps and send photos via the Messages app without any cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Future upgrades aim to make the technology more seamless, allowing iPhones to connect to satellites from indoors without the need to point the device at a clear sky.

Gurman says that the company is also creating a framework for developers, which would let third-party apps voluntarily integrate satellite connectivity. The report clarifies that there are no current plans to enable satellite phone calls, video calls, or web browsing.

Many of these advanced features are said to require significant upgrades to the infrastructure of Globalstar, Apple's current satellite partner. The rollout could be influenced by potential acquisition talks, as Globalstar is reportedly in deep discussions to be purchased by SpaceX, as per reports by The Verge and MacRumours on the matter.

While the basic Emergency SOS via satellite service remains free, Apple reportedly plans to let customers pay satellite carriers directly for these more advanced capabilities in the future, adds Gurman in his report.