Google may partner with Garmin Response to add satellite emergency communication capabilities to Google Messages, potentially making it available in more than 150 countries from the start.
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We know that Google is working on adding the necessary foundation to make satellite connectivity a reality in Android 14, and a lot more information has been coming out in recent weeks. The company is preparing to add satellite emergency messaging capabilities to Google Messages, and now, new strings in the code give us a clue about the service provider Google is working with: Garmin Response.
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According to @neil_rahmouni on Twitter/X, strings have appeared in Google Messages that mention Garmin by name in connection with emergency services, writing: “Satellite messages have expired. For questions regarding your emergency, call Garmin Response at<TEXT> . To report a new emergency, call your local emergency number.” While SOS features aren’t yet available in Messages, this is certainly good evidence that the company is as good as it gets at building the feature.
Garmin Response is pretty much one of Google’s best solutions. According to Garmin Response’s website, SOS services are already available in more than 150 countries across all continents. While it’s unclear whether Google will roll out the feature to all regions, it gives the company the ability to reach far more people than Apple currently does with its iPhone 14, which is limited to a handful of Western countries.
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Neïl Rahmouni is quick to point out that the strings only appeared in the latest update to Google Messages, so it’s a new development that could still be rolled back or changed in the future. However, Google would likely avoid adding strings that refer to third parties unless the company already has a contractual agreement in place, which makes it more likely that the feature will launch with Garmin. Given that satellite connectivity will likely require new hardware, a launch alongside the Google Pixel 8 is likely.
Information source: androidpolice.com
