Apple (AAPL) plans to add new features and capabilities to its satellite services, such as satellite-powered maps and connectivity for third-party apps, according to Bloomberg.
The Cupertino company’s satellite services currently offer some features for the iPhone 14 and onward and the new Apple Watch Ultra 3. These features include Emergency SOS via satellite, text messaging, location sharing, and roadside services for stranded drivers.
Apple’s in-house Satellite Connectivity Group uses a network run by Globalstar to offer these services. The company has pondered whether to run their own satellite system, according to the report. Apple is also developing new satellite features. These include a framework that would allow developers to add satellite connections to their apps, powering Apple Maps with satellite connectivity, allowing more messaging options, usage of the satellite system while indoors, and 5G Non-Terrestrial Network capabilities. 5G NTN is expected in next year’s iPhone series.
In other Apple news, the report said Apple plans to pay about $1B annually to use a custom Google (GOOG)(GOOGL) Gemini model to enhance its Siri voice assistant. This would result in much less cost than Apple’s current cloud-based Apple Intelligence model.
Apple also remains on track to release its M6 Pro, M6 Max MacBook Pro and the J700, a lower-cost MacBook to challenge cheaper PCs, all in 2026, the report added.