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Pixel 9's Satellite SOS UI for emergency messaging revealed

Pictured: Sumit Adhikari
By Sumit Adhikari
April 16, 2024
Featured image for Pixel 9's Satellite SOS UI for emergency messaging revealed

Google’s upcoming high-end Pixel devices, the Pixel 9 series and the next-gen foldable, are expected to boast satellite connectivity for emergency messaging. Rumors say the devices will feature a Samsung modem to facilitate satellite-based SOS. A new leak has revealed the UI for the system, showing how users can send emergency messages via satellite.

Leak reveals Pixel 9’s Satellite SOS UI

Google is adding native support for satellite messaging to Android OS this year. Android 15 Developer Preview 2 introduced the new feature. With platform-level support, all that OEMs need is a specialized modem to bring satellite communication to their devices. Google itself plans to offer satellite-based emergency messaging on all of its upcoming products.

Someone managed to get early access to the Pixel UI for this Satellite SOS feature. Shared on a Telegram channel, we have multiple screenshots and a video showing the feature in action. Like on Apple’s iPhones, satellite messaging on Pixels will require you to point the phone to the satellite. You can do that by moving a satellite icon to the center of a circle shown on the screen.

It may take a while for the phone to establish a satellite connection. You have to keep the icon at the center for a strong connection. While it is initially a full-screen UI, Google lets you minimize it to a floating window, so you can keep using the phone while it looks for a satellite to connect. The company also advises users to “get a clear view of sky by avoiding buildings, trees and mountains.” These obstacles can block the signal.

Once the connection is established, your device will ask you a few questions that help emergency services get a clear picture of your situation and deploy help accordingly. Based on these screenshots, Google may limit satellite connectivity on the new Pixels to emergency messages. The feature is unlikely to trickle down to older Pixels due to hardware limitations.

Google Pixel Satellite SOS UI leak

The feature requires carrier support

While satellite connectivity helps you out when you do not have a cellular network to make a call or send messages, it requires carrier support. The Pixel 9 series and the new Pixel foldable should get support for the new feature out of the box from most wireless providers. The new Googe products will debut this fall. The company may rebrand its new foldable to Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The original model is called the Pixel Fold.

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