Google plots big Android change for millions of phones that will leave iPhone owners jealous

GOOGLE is plotting to get one up on Apple with an Android trick iPhone can’t beat.

The US tech behemoth is apparently working on a way to allow people to message each other when they don’t have any signal or Wi-Fi.

SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett

The next version of Android is expected later this year[/caption]

Apple

Apple already has its own version of satellite SOS[/caption]

It would all be possible via satellite.

As it stands, Apple only allows iPhone users to communicate via satellite in an emergency.

Emergency SOS via satellite works on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.

This only connects to emergency services and roadside assistance – it can’t be used to message friends.

Rumour has it Google has been working on its own version for the Pixel smartphone.

But the latest insider tip suggests the company could go a step further.

Experts at 9to5Google noticed that the latest beta test code for Android 15 gives away a massive hint of what could come later this year.

And it was all spotted within Google Messages which showed three set-up screens.

The options read:

• “To send and receive, stay outside with a clear view of the sky”
• “Satellite messaging may take longer and can’t include photos & videos”
• “You can message with anyone, including emergency services”

The final option is the interesting point, suggesting you may be able to message friends and family via satellite too.

However, before you get too excited there are a lot of finer details to be ironed out about how it works.

It will surely take a while to roll out to countries and will depend on mobile network support too.

So we’ll have to wait until official word from Google, which may well come out during its annual developer conference in May.

There’s no clear idea on when Android 15 will be released, but previous versions indicate it could be anywhere between August and October.