Upon the revelation by Apple of its Emergency SOS via Satellite service alongside the iPhone 14 series, it was initially stated to be free for the first two years. However, subsequent news extended this period by an additional year, giving iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users free access until September 2025. The situation raises a dilemma for Apple once the free service term concludes …
Apple has to keep Emergency SOS via Satellite free
According to John Gruber, it seems Apple is inclined to provide the service for free perpetually, but the decision depends on the cost assessment that the company is conducting. It is a safer approach to gradually extend the free period, evaluating its usage over time amongst active iPhone users. Meanwhile, an alarming precedent poses an ethical concern for the company …
Washington Post detailed a situation in which a car manufacturer refused to locate a car with a child in it due to an expired satellite service subscription, resulting in a lawsuit. This sparks a concern that Apple should address …
Gruber warns of the potential implications should the free service be discontinued in the future, emphasizing the moral urgency for Apple to maintain it as a free offering indefinitely. He also speculates on Apple’s possible strategies to achieve this outcome …
Here’s how I think the company will do it
Apple could adopt a subscription-based model where the fundamental service remains free, but additional features such as Roadside Assistance are monetized. This is akin to the strategy of dedicated emergency beacon subscriptions found in devices like Garmin’s inReach Messenger. These tiers offer varying degrees of service for different monthly fees, which Apple could incorporate into its model. Nevertheless, the company must develop a compelling case for its monetization plans, preferably by soliciting user input …
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