THANK GOOG-NESS!
Relieved Android owners cheer ‘this is fantastic’ as Google reveals iPhone-style trick that can genuinely save your life
There's a simple guide on exactly how to use it
GOOGLE is bringing a life-saving feature to Android – and has revealed the exact phone models getting it.
It's designed to get you emergency help even when you don't have any cell signal.
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The feature is called Satellite SOS, letting you connect to emergency responders and share your location – but via space, rather than through cell towers.
At its Made by Google event on Tuesday, August 13, the search engine giant revealed that the feature would be landing on its Pixel 9 series of phones.
That includes the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
"The entire line of Pixel 9s are also the first Android phones to include our new Satellite SOS," said Google's Brian Rakowski, speaking at the event.
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"So you can contact emergency responders and share your location, even without cellular service.
"It's the kind of feature we hope you never need.
"But it lets you go off the grid with the assurance that the grid is there if you need it."
The feature means that when you don't have cell signal, you can connect to a satellite passing overhead.
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This means it won't work without a clear view of the sky (like if you're stuck deep in a cave).
If you can establish a connection, you'll be able to contact emergency services and even share your location.
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This should help you get potentially life-saving support when you'd otherwise be stuck with no way to contact help.
The feature is initially only available in the US (on any carrier plan) with any of the new Pixel 9 devices.
Google also notes that the feature will be available for free for the first two years after you activate your device.
That suggests that the feature will eventually cost money, but Google hasn't said how much it will be.
HOW TO ACCESS SATELLITE SOS ON GOOGLE PIXEL
Here's what you need to know.
First, note that the feature is only available in the US (except Hawaii and Alaska) right now.
And it's also only available for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
If you're eligible, simply follow these official steps from Google:
To contact emergency services when you don’t have a network coverage on your Pixel phone:
- Dial 911 immediately.
- If you don’t have a mobile or Wi-Fi network, you'll find an option to use Satellite SOS in the dialer.
- Tap Satellite SOS > Use Satellite SOS > Start.
- To describe your emergency, fill out the emergency questionnaire.
- To share your emergency with your emergency contacts, answer the on-screen questions.
- To notify your emergency contacts, tap Notify.
- If you don’t want your emergency contacts to receive your location and emergency information, tap Don’t notify.
- To connect to the satellite, follow the on-screen prompts to correctly position your phone.
- Connection and response times vary based on location, site conditions, and other factors.
- Once you’re connected, the emergency service provider should reply via text within a few minutes.
- To receive replies, stay outside with a clear view of the sky.
- When you would like to end the satellite text conversation, press the End button and follow the prompts.
Fans have already shown big interest in the news.
Google teased the launch earlier this year – but hadn't confirmed availability at the point.
One fan responding to the original news on Reddit wrote: "This is fantastic. Especially for rural area/emergency services going off the beaten path."
And another said: "Ahh it's a good time to be a Pixel owner! I'm very glad once again I never went with a Samsung phone like most other people!"
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APPLE SNAP!
If the feature sounds familiar, that's because Apple already offers this tech on the iPhone.
Apple set its Emergency SOS via Satellite feature live in the US and Canada on November 15, 2022.
And the feature rolled out to the UK, France, Germany, and Ireland shortly after.
Like Google, Apple said that the feature would only be free for an initial period – but the company has since extended the time of this no-cost availability.
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It's possible that Apple may also begin charging for the feature at some point in the future.
For Apple users, the feature is only available on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro.
Experts have said that the feature has already saved lives, and it seems likely that Google's version will too.
If you want a new Google Pixel phone, you can pre-order one right now.
Here's how pricing stacks up for the United States and United Kingdom:
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- Pixel 9 – $799 / £799
- Pixel 9 Pro – $999 / £999
- Pixel 9 Pro XL – $1,099 / £1,099
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold – $1,799 / £1,749
The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are out on August 22, with the other devices arriving in September.