Following the iPhone, Apple aims to enable the Apple Watch to send text messages via satellite, Globalstar surged nearly 30% at one point
If the news is true, the Apple Watch Ultra will become the first mainstream smartwatch with satellite communication capabilities. The media also reported that the blood pressure monitoring feature of the Apple Watch is expected to launch as early as next year; the Apple Watch will use a modem developed by MediaTek for the first time, reducing reliance on Intel products
This year, when iOS 18 was released, the iPhone finally gained the ability to send text messages via satellite, a feature that Apple has now plans to extend to its smartwatches.
According to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, December 10, Eastern Time, sources revealed that Apple plans to enable satellite connectivity for the high-end smartwatch Apple Watch Ultra, which will be launched next year. Users of the smartwatch will be able to send off-grid text messages through the satellite network of Globalstar Inc. without the need for cellular networks or Wi-Fi.
Apple's company representative declined to comment on the news. If the information is accurate, the Apple Watch Ultra will become the first mainstream smartwatch with satellite communication capabilities. The demand for independent satellite communication devices like Garmin Ltd.'s inReach may decrease.
Following the news, Globalstar (GSAT) stock price surged during Tuesday's midday trading, breaking above $2.70 to reach a new daily high, with an intraday increase of over 29%. However, it quickly retraced most of its gains, closing with an increase of 8.5%, setting a new record.
During the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple introduced the new generation iPhone operating system iOS 18, which allows the iPhone 14 and subsequent advanced versions to send text messages via satellite.
Apple explained that on iPhone 14 models or later running iOS 18 or later, users who find themselves outside the coverage of cellular networks and Wi-Fi can send messages to friends and family via satellite. This feature is only available to users in the United States and Canada. Messages sent via satellite will prompt users to connect to the nearest satellite, allowing them to send and receive messages, emojis, and point replies through iMessage. Messages sent via satellite using iMessage are end-to-end encrypted.
Apple stated that sending messages via satellite will be free for two years after activating the iPhone 14 or later models. Group messaging and sharing photos or videos via satellite are not supported, and there may be limitations on the number of characters that can be sent.
Blood Pressure Monitoring Feature Expected to Launch Next Year; Apple Watch Will Use Modem Developed by MediaTek for the First Time
Bloomberg also reported on Tuesday that Apple plans to equip the Apple Watch with the capability to monitor whether users have high blood pressure, with the feature potentially launching as early as next year. The design of the blood pressure feature will work similarly to Apple's sleep apnea monitoring. It will not provide specific data such as diastolic or systolic pressure levels but will inform users if they may be in a high blood pressure state The launch of the blood pressure monitoring feature is seen as Apple's latest effort to strengthen its product health and safety capabilities. Reports indicate that Apple is increasingly marketing its watches and phones as lifesaving devices.
Wall Street Insight noted that last year Apple was reported to be launching a special edition of the Apple Watch to mark the 10th anniversary of its release this year, possibly named Watch X. It may be the first Apple Watch with blood pressure monitoring capabilities, potentially launching in 2025.
Additionally, Bloomberg stated that Apple will at least change the internal configuration of some Apple Watch models, adopting a modem developed by MediaTek for the first time, replacing Intel's products, thereby further reducing Apple's reliance on Intel. Apple is also developing modem components for the iPhone and other devices, which will reduce dependence on Qualcomm.
Over a month ago, media reported that Apple conducted a "highly confidential" app test earlier this year, which helps prediabetic patients manage their food intake, aiming to explore potential uses for blood glucose data and what tools could be created for consumers; Apple has not announced plans for the app but may integrate the technology into future health products, including a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device that has been in development since the Jobs era in 2010.
In February last year, media reported that Apple's non-invasive blood glucose monitoring research project, codenamed E5, made significant milestone progress. Apple's non-invasive blood glucose monitoring technology is at the "proof-of-concept" stage, and the company believes the technology is feasible but needs to reduce the size of the device to make it more practical. The technology uses lasers to measure subcutaneous glucose levels, and Apple's engineers are developing a prototype device the size of an iPhone that can be directly strapped to the subject's bicep. Apple's ultimate goal is to integrate the monitoring system into the Apple Watch, making the smartwatch an essential tool for millions of diabetes patients worldwide.
Tuesday's Bloomberg report also mentioned the blood glucose detection technology being developed by Apple, noting that the non-invasive blood glucose tracking feature still requires further development