Apple wants to connect iPhone by satellite

Apple wants to connect iPhone by satellite

Apple is giving itself five years to do without wireless networks, and allow iPhone owners to access the Internet and satellite telephony.

Not content to invade the world with its iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices, Apple may have decided to put its equipment into orbit. This is what information gathered by Bloomberg suggests, who was able to speak directly with people working on the project but who wanted to remain anonymous.

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay 

The firm would have hired a dozen engineers specializing in aerospace, satellites and antennas in order to complete the project in the space of five years. As is often the case with large companies, many projects can be undertaken to lead to innovations, but many will not lead to anything concrete. This is still in its infancy and will not necessarily lead to a final product.

A still unknown purpose

The team is led by Michael Trela ​​and John Fenwick, two former aerospace engineers who were part of the satellite imaging company Skybox Imaging, acquired by Google in 2014. They then worked on aerospace projects at Google until 'in 2017 when they joined Apple. The firm also hired Matt Ettus, a wireless communications engineer, Ashley Moore Williams, who worked on communications satellites, and Daniel Ellis, who worked at Netflix and who brings knowledge of content delivery networks.

In five years at best, the project could result in a technology capable of sending content to devices directly from a satellite network, thus avoiding mobile operators and Wi-Fi networks. The firm could create its own constellation of satellites, or use those already in place. Another possibility would be a more precise geolocation system to improve the maps and propose new functions.