Qualcomm Working With Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and Extra to Develop Android Telephones With Satellite-Based mostly Messaging

Qualcomm on Monday stated it was working with a gaggle of Android smartphone firms so as to add satellite-based messaging capabilities to their units.

The San Diego, California-based firm, which is the world’s greatest provider of chips that join cellphones to wi-fi information networks, stated it’s working with Honor, Lenovo-owned Motorola, Nothing, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi to develop the units. 

Satellite-based communications can ship and obtain information in distant or rural areas the place different telecommunications networks are usually not accessible. Qualcomm introduced that it was including the capabilities to its chips earlier this 12 months.

Qualcomm’s work with Android system makers is prone to intensify competitors between these manufacturers and Apple, which final 12 months unveiled the power to ship emergency satellite tv for pc messages as one of many flagship options of its latest iPhone lineup. Those new iPhones comprise a chip from Qualcomm, although Apple instructed Reuters that additionally they comprise customized {hardware} and software program which can be proprietary to Apple.

Qualcomm didn’t say when the brand new satellite tv for pc messaging options from the Android smartphone manufacturers named on Monday would turn into accessible. Earlier this 12 months, Qualcomm stated that some Android telephones would have the options by the second half of this 12 months.

Last week, chip producer MediaTek introduced that its demonstrations at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 will embody its personal tackle enabling satellite tv for pc connectivity on Android smartphones.

MediaTek additionally confirmed that Bullit can be the primary model to characteristic the corporate’s satellite tv for pc connectivity {hardware}. MediaTek talked about in a press launch that Bullit will debut the expertise on its CAT S75 smartphone in addition to the Motorola Defy 2 smartphone.

© Thomson Reuters 2023