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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1509247
Roadside Assistance via Satellite Since the satellites are now in orbit, and Apple’s recent iPhone models can all connect to them, the company is adding a new emergency feature for those times when you may find yourself stranded off the grid but aren’t in a situation that’s serious enough to warrant a 911 call. As Apple VP Deniz Teoman pointed out, Emergency SOS via Satellite was built for serious emergencies that require a first responder. However, what about those times you just ran out of gas on a dark desert highway without cellular coverage and nothing but your iPhone and the cool wind in your hair? Thankfully, Apple now has an answer to that. Launching in the US alongside the iPhone 15 and iOS 17, Roadside Assistance via Satellite will connect you to AAA so you can get help with vehicle problems anywhere in the US. This means you’ll no longer need to MacGyver your iPhone with a drone to call for help — although you will still need an iPhone model that supports satellite connectivity. Fortunately, Apple isn’t limiting this only to the latest iPhone 15 models. Even though it was announced as part of Apple’s iPhone 15 presentation, Roadside Assistance via Satellite will also be coming to the entire iPhone 14 lineup as part of iOS 17. That’s not surprising since Teoman said it’s built on the same technology as Emergency SOS via Satellite. While Apple has been known to artificially limit some features in the past, it would be unthinkable to do so for something that could help its customers get out of a bind.