Never happening for all of Google's talk of blaming Apple for not supporting RCS. They don't fully support it at least by allowing 3rd party clients.

Sounds like they’re trying to parity match what iOS is doing now with emergency situations

I doubt they’re gonna let you use it willy-nilly.

Yes and it'll likely be expensive, but it can very much save lives. When you're very remote and need to tell someone your location, or you need help, that's where it really shines. From what I hear too, it's not exactly fast either so probably not for real time texting or chatting willy nilly.

There is already a bluetooth device you can purchase that works with most any smartphone - it allows you to subscribe to a text messaging service which uses satellite communication (only a few messages per month if I recall correctly). I forget the brand but it hit the market like a year ago.

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Dude you’re never getting an aux port ever again.

It could prove extremely useful in an emergency

Why would you not be super excited for this?

This literally extends coverage to the entire world. Movies will have to come up with a another excuse then - oh I have no signal.

When you're hiking that trail in the middle of nowhere and you slip and break your leg you can just point your phone to the sky and get help.

Perhaps you were being sarcastic, but I'm very excited about this feature. I often visit rural areas, and if I got a flat I would love my phone to be useful for letting family know what's going on.