Apple Watch Ultra 3 can communicate even in places where there is no mobile signal or Wi-Fi. You can contact emergency services, send messages or share your location via satellite. Apple But it doesn't end there. With the arrival of a new generation of operating systems in September, a further significant expansion of satellite functions is expected, which could enable, for example, sending photos or using maps without a traditional Internet connection.
Just satellite tooneactivity is one of the biggest differences between Apple Watch Ultra 3 and previous generations Ultra 2. This is not just another item on the list of technical specifications. Pro For tourists, climbers, runners, skiers or travelers, this may be a function that in a crisis situation will determine whether they will be able to communicate with the outside world. Apple Watch Ultra 3 have the necessary hardware built right into the watch. So they don't need to communicate via satellite iPhoneAnd the capabilities of this hardware can gradually expand through further software updates.
What today Apple Watch Ultra 3 via satellite can
Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports two-way satellite communication. If the user is out of range of mobile networks and Wi-Fi, the watch can connect directly to the satellite in supported countries. Currently, satellite communication can beoneThe activity can be used in three main ways:
- Emergency SOS via satellite allows you to contact rescue services even outside of mobile coverage.
- Satellite messaging lets you communicate with family or friends via supported messages, SMS, emoji, and Tapback reactions.
- Find via satellite allows you to send your current location even from an area without mobile signal and Wi-Fi.
This is a fundamental difference from Apple Watch Ultra 2that do not have built-in satellite communication. Ultra 3 are therefore able to function as basic communication devices even far outside of normal mobile coverage.
In September, the satellite's capabilities could expand significantly
But even more interesting is what is expected in the coming weeks. Apple is preparing the next generation of its operating systems for September, and satellite communications is one of the areas that are expected to move forward. Among the expected innovations is support for Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send photos via Satellite Messages. If these features also come to Apple Watch Ultra 3, their usability outside of civilization will increase significantly. Today, satellite messages are a relatively economical communication channel. Apple It supports text, emoji, and reactions, but you can't send photos or videos via satellite. That's something that could change with the new generation of systems.
The ability to send a photo via satellite may seem like a small thing at first glance. But in practice it can be of great importance. Imagine, for example, a tourist who is injured in the mountains. He can describe what happened in a text message. However, a photo can show rescuers the nature of the injury, the surrounding terrain or the exact location where the person is. Similarly, a traveler without a mobile signal can send his family a photo of the place where he is currently. Satellite communication could gradually become a tool for more common communication outside civilization, not just an emergency backup for the worst situations. However, it is important to emphasize that support for photos via satellite is not available in the current version of the system. This is an expected expansion of the new generation of software and the range of functions may change before its final release.
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Big news may also be Apple Maps via satellite
The second expected function is Apple Maps operating via satellite connection. Here too, it would be particularly useful for users Apple Watch Ultra a logical step. Ultra are focused on outdoor activities from the beginning. The watch has accurate GPS, compass, Return function and supports working with routes. Satellite connection could complement this equipment in situations where the user does not have mobile data available. Of course, this does not mean that the same amount of data would flow via satellite as via 5G. Satellite transmission has significantly lower capacity and Apple It has to optimize individual services specifically. That's why it's interesting to watch how it gradually expands the number of functions that can use this type of connection.
This is perhaps the most interesting feature of the entire satelliteoneactivities Apple Watch Ultra 3. The necessary hardware is already on their owners' wrists. Apple Therefore, it can expand the capabilities of the watch without having to release a new model. If it adds more supported services or makes satellite communications available in more countries, the practical value of the current Ultra 3 increase virtually overnight via software update. U Apple Watch Ultra 3, the most interesting thing may not be what their satellite communication can do today, but above all what it will be able to do in a few months.
Pro the owner Apple Watch Ultra 3 in the Czech Republic, however, it is necessary to add fundamental restrictions. Distress SOS via satellite for now Apple does not officially support it in the Czech Republic. This is a shame precisely because of the focus of the watch. Šumava, Krkonoše, Jeseníky or other more remote areas are exactly the places where the ability to communicate via satellite could make a lot of sense. The watch itself has the necessary hardware. The limitation is associated with the geographical availability of the service.
In Austria or Germany the situation is different.
Pro Czech owners Ultra 3 It is important that satellite SOS works in a number of other European countries, including neighboring Austria and Germany. So if you go to the Austrian Alps, for example, and find yourself out of range of a mobile signal and Wi-Fi, you can use the watch's satellite communication, provided you meet the terms of the service. Pro people who regularly travel, ski or hike in the mountains abroad, this is not a function that would be completely useless today. On the contrary, it may represent one of the main reasons to prefer Ultra 3 before Ultra 2.
How satellite communication works
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is not a classic satellite phoneonema communication does not work exactly the same as via a mobile network. The watch needs an open view of the sky and horizon if possible. Buildings, dense trees, rocks or other obstacles can slow down or completely prevent the satellite connection. Apple therefore, it uses a connection wizard that shows the user how to correctly point the watch towards the satellite. Sending a message may take longer than via the mobile network, which is normal for this type of communication. However, in a crisis situation, speed is not the main goal. The important thing is that you can communicate even from a place where a regular phone or watch without satellite access would not be able to communicate.oneactivities remained completely disconnected.
The satellite is on Ultra 3 free for two years
Apple provides satellite functions Apple Watch Ultra 3 at no additional charge for two years from watch activation. Pro Emergency SOS via satellite, no active mobile plan required Apple Watch. Pro Regular Satellite Messages and location sharing via Find My requires an active plan. Apple has not yet definitively announced what the possible charging for satellite services will look like after the end of the free period.
If you are using Apple Watch practically exclusively in the city and almost always with you iPhone, satellite communication is probably not a feature you should change for Ultra 2 for Ultra 3. Pro For hikers, climbers, skiers, trail runners, travelers, or people who regularly move outside of mobile coverage, the situation is completely different. Built-in two-way satellite communication is one of the biggest hardware changes of the third generation UltraAnd its importance may increase in the coming months. If Apple will truly expand satellite communications to include photos, maps and other services while continuing to expand geographical availability, they may Apple Watch Ultra 3 gradually change from a watch with emergency satellite SOS to a significantly more versatile communication device for places without mobile signal.
The following weeks will therefore be very important for owners Apple Watch Ultra 3 interesting. The current generation already includes the hardware needed for two-way satellite communication and Apple is clearly looking for other ways to use it. The biggest shift would come from a combination of several changes: the ability to send photos via satellite, use map features, and further expanding the service's availability to new countries.
Pro For Czech users, the last point will of course be the most important. As long as Apple will not add the Czech Republic to the supported countries, one of the most interesting features remains Ultra 3 unused at home. But if Apple geographical availability will expand, the watch already has the necessary technology ready. And that's what makes satellite communication perhaps the most interesting feature Apple Watch Ultra 3: it's not just about what you can do today, but what you can do Apple will be made available via software within the next few weeks.
