I wish iphone 14 models still have a sim tray. This is the only thing keeping me from upgrading.
The models in Europe come with a SIM tray.
Emergency SOS via satellite
61–70 of 479 posts
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#62What sort of link does the phone use? 5G?
The category is NTN: Non-Terrestrial Networks.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#63As someone who grew up in the era before mobile phones, it truly is strange to see devices that do roughly everything Captain Kirk's communicator could do. But in my lifetime, and available to average people.
and Dick Tracy. We haven't arrived at full tricorder yet though.
We're at bicorder, looking forward to quadcorder.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
And phones like the CAT s61 [1] are well on their way to add the functionality of Spock's Tricorder into the same package. https://www.catphones.com/en-ca/cat-s61-smartphone/
Listed features: - thermal imaging - laser assisted distance measurement - indoor air quality
I can do 1/3 with my iPhone already using the lidar and 3/3 with attachments.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#65If you’re looking for emergency comms where cell service is unavailable, you can do really well with a 2m/70cm Baofeng UV-5R. It’ll run you like $60 between the technician’s license (easy to get) and the radio, no subscription. From mountains (no service), I’ve gotten into repeaters 60 miles away. Knowing the community on those frequencies, they’ll treat your emergency with the same respect and decorum as those submi…
That's quite an undertaking to get up to speed on using and programming one of those.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#66As someone who grew up in the era before mobile phones, it truly is strange to see devices that do roughly everything Captain Kirk's communicator could do. But in my lifetime, and available to average people.
All the features, and none of the freedom. Kirk and the crew would have a lot of bad things to say about the iPhone and it's walled lawn. It's tragic that I can't install an application I wrote without going through Apple on the thousand dollar computer that I bought.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#67I'm glad to see that they at least talked to some IRL dispatchers for this press release, which hopefully suggests that they've been doing it all along. But really, I desperately hope that we can find a way to educate folks on the proper usage of technology like this (which, if you count things like the Garmin inReach and the Spot devices, has been available for a decade). They're undoubtedly life saving, but they al…
I'm a search and rescue medic and I volunteer (although not in the States), but would have the exact opposite outlook on this. Better comms may lead to more shouts but it will definitely lead to better outcomes for casualties. We always prefer calls to come in as early as possible, where maybe an issue can be resolved with advice or a daylight shout to an warm, ambulatory casualty in mild distress. That will always b…
I wonder how many ppl will now travel to more remote areas with a false sense of security (and being woefully under prepared) that you can "Just call" for help.
As a paying customer with Garmin's inReach service, I'm acutely aware of how spotty and unreliable the service can be based on environment and current surroundings.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#68As someone who grew up in the era before mobile phones, it truly is strange to see devices that do roughly everything Captain Kirk's communicator could do. But in my lifetime, and available to average people.
I find it amusing that Star Trek didn't anticipate communicators or tricorders having a flashlight function like our phones do. When they need lights, they either carry special-purpose ones or shoot a rock with a phaser to make it glow.
Generously, maybe someone did think of it, but it would have been too difficult to make a prop with a bright enough light source.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#69Quoted post unavailable.
I can only assume that you have never been to the western U. S. or anywhere at all in Canada much north of the 49th parallel. It can be quite barren, and even if one had a need to stick a cell tower in the North Cascades mountains, it won't cover everything. Hell, I go trail running on local mountains (Cougar/Squak/Tiger, for Seattle locals) that are within visual distance of a decent-sized city, and there are still…
>Those folks, if they have any sense, have a dedicated device, as you state.
You'd be shocked at the number of people who carry their beacon, probe, shovel, etc but not an InReach or Spot device. With that said, most groups have at least one and are playing the odds game that it won't be them that has an issue and can't access it.
Re: Emergency SOS via satellite
#70Quoted post unavailable.
I can only assume that you have never been to the western U. S. or anywhere at all in Canada much north of the 49th parallel. It can be quite barren, and even if one had a need to stick a cell tower in the North Cascades mountains, it won't cover everything. Hell, I go trail running on local mountains (Cougar/Squak/Tiger, for Seattle locals) that are within visual distance of a decent-sized city, and there are still…
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