Google Messages for Android 14 Could Add Satellite Emergency SOS via Satellite
New hints suggest Google Messages for Android 14 might gain the ability to send emergency SOS messages using satellite networks. This potential feature is highlighted by Android Authority, which cites data miners Neil Rahmouni and Mishaal Rahman as sources of the discovery.
Security researchers have identified fresh user interface elements in the Messages codebase that appear designed to trigger an SOS signal. From the screenshots shared by Rahmouni, it looks like the app would offer a dedicated dialog for emergency messages, separate from standard chats. This would streamline critical communications when traditional networks are unavailable.
Details about the exact implementation are not yet available. Rahman notes that a phone would need a compatible modem to send messages via satellite, and that hardware readiness is a prerequisite for the feature to work. In other words, software alone won’t unlock satellite SOS; the device must also support the necessary satellite modem.
Some current Android flagships already include modules capable of satellite connectivity. For example, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have models that can support such functionality. Reports also suggest that Google plans to extend satellite connectivity to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in the company’s 2023 lineup, expanding emergency communications options for users in areas with limited cellular coverage.
A separate rumor linked to LeaksPinner mentions Vivo’s upcoming flagship featuring a 200MP zoom camera. This nugget adds to the broader chatter around next-generation mobile devices and their imaging capabilities, though details remain speculative until official announcements arrive.