The gap between Android and iPhone has been narrowing, with both operating systems and their devices becoming increasingly similar. While Google often appears to be playing catch-up, it has now outpaced Apple with an impressive new feature that is unexpectedly debuting on Android first and could be imminent.
Google is striving to make Android more akin to iPhone, as the two dominant smartphone ecosystems vie for users. Google has recently bolstered Android’s security, integrated WhatsApp calls into its phone dialer, and even incorporated Apple passes into its wallet. This latest update not only parallels an existing iPhone feature but surpasses it, astonishingly outdoing Apple.
Google is striving to make Android more akin to iPhone, as the two dominant smartphone ecosystems vie for users.
Google’s endeavor to incorporate an emergency satellite service as a new feature has been previously reported. This will enable Android to finally equal the satellite SOS functionality that Apple has had on its iPhone for several years. Google’s provision even appears to incorporate a ready-to-use Garmin rescue service into its scheme. This is undoubtedly a significant advancement for the safety and security of its extensive user base.
The problem with Apple’s emergency SOS provision is that it’s solely for emergencies. Hence, for those of us who aren’t mountaineers or sailors, it places an SOS tag on the screen when we’re out of coverage, but it’s something we never utilize.
With the latest Android 15 developer preview, it seems like Google is closing the gap, allowing users to augment their cellular accounts with a satellite add-on, and enabling fundamental messaging apps to utilize that satellite network. No more cellular dead zones plunging users into a connectivity void.
With the latest Android 15 developer preview, it seems like Google is closing the gap,
According to Mishaal Rahman, “Android 15 DP2 introduces some UI elements to ensure a ‘consistent user experience’ for devices that support satellite connectivity. The update also broadens platform support for satellite connectivity by adding a new API that apps can use to detect when a device is connected to a satellite. Android 15 also allows SMS/MMS/RCS apps to use satellite connectivity for sending and receiving messages.”
This last bit is the real news, and we know that some networks plan to add LEO satellite connectivity as an account option. This is an enhancement on what we initially thought was coming when Google (prematurely) updated Pixel phones with a “Satellite SOS” feature placed between Car Crash Detection and Emergency SOS.
Apple’s satellite connectivity remains more restricted. “With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro,” it states, “you can connect your iPhone to a satellite to text the emergency services, request roadside assistance and share your location with friends and family – all while you’re off the grid with no mobile and Wi-Fi coverage.”
We did hope Android might go further, with previous beta code suggesting a satellite messaging option in collaboration with T-Mobile. The potential for what this might eventually mean made headlines when Elon Musk announced that SpaceX had achieved download speeds of 17mbps to an unmodified Galaxy S21 Ultra.
As SamMobile reported following that Samsung test, the device “wouldn’t require any special hardware to connect to a satellite. So, even when there is no conventional cellular network range nearby, a smartphone would be able to make/receive calls and messages by connecting directly to a satellite. Starlink has been testing such a service, and it looks like we can use it in the coming months.”
This hints at a future where direct-to-phone satellite connectivity becomes more commonplace and usable, but in the meantime, messaging integration is a great start.
That this is coming to Android 15 now seems confirmed—unless there’s a major change. And as Android and iPhone become increasingly similar, this looks like being an instance of Google leading with (one expects) Apple to follow. This has been an intriguing week, especially after the “blockbuster” news that Gemini might be coming to iPhone and Apple claiming the DOJ lawsuit would essentially turn iPhone into Android.
The latest thrilling details on Google’s plans for satellite messaging emerged just after the blockbuster news broke that Gemini might be coming to Apple’s iPhone as the workhorse powering some or many of iOS 18’s AI updates.
This is interesting on several fronts—not least because it’s yet another way that the gap between Android and iPhone looks set to close, but also because it would significantly enhance Google’s role within the iPhone ecosystem.
In terms of Android versus iPhone this is also notable. One additional way in which Android is moving faster than iPhone is Gemini’s deployment on handsets. While Apple users wait for clarity on what to expect with the next OS in the fall, Android users are already witnessing these advancements.
One crucial area in which Google has promised revolutionary Gemini capabilities is within its Messages app, which will become—to all intents and purposes—a chatbot UI for users to engage Gemini directly from the messaging platform.
Google confirmed the Gemini/Messages rumors last month. Now, TheSPAndroid has had this up and running from the latest beta release, confirming that “the integration of Gemini in Google Messages is similar to Gemini in the Google app and Gemini on the web, it supports extensions like Gmail, Flights, Maps, Workspace and more which are available on web, [and that] it can also give code suggestions.” Perhaps most interestingly of all, the site also confirms that this Gemini deployment “can also generate images, which is amazing.”
As reported by Android Authority, “Google says this is restricted to English but adds it’ll be available in 165 countries. The company also notes that you need a Pixel 6 or later, a Pixel Fold, a Galaxy S22 series phone or newer, or a Galaxy Z Flip/Fold.”
“It includes almost everything a normal user needs,” TheSPAndroid says, “and it is a very clever thing done by Google—integrating in Google Messages, which might reduce the need to keep Google app installed on my phone because it slows it down… The other thing is that Gemini integration will also give a boost to RCS because more people will use Google Messages.” As I’ve reported before, the only catch is that Gemini messages are not end-to-end encrypted, for obvious reasons.
the only catch is that Gemini messages are not end-to-end encrypted, for obvious reasons.
This is a significant advantage for Android. The use of Google Messages as a ready-made—and widely installed chatbot UI, will normalize access as never before. It’s now up to Apple as to how it does the same later in the year, with or without Google’s AI doing the work. But in the meantime, it’s definitely (another) advantage Android.
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