I'm currently rocking a Pixel 8, and don't REALLY have a reason to upgrade it (in fact the 8 was specifically selected due to the length of time it would receive upgrades for).
But...
I do a lot of hiking, hunting, backcountry activities where I don't have cell service and an emergency communication device would very much come in handy. A Garmin InReach was high on my Christmas list as a result, but then I read about the Satellite SOS functionality in the Pixel 9 series, and now I'm wondering if that's where my funds should be directed.
Is this functionality going to be retained with GrapheneOS, or is it something that will be wiped out as a result of the builds?

    Sorry bout that...the reply with the answer got mixed in with all the "noise" during initial read thru

    5rlyn inReach battery life is really good, and the devices are rugged. Phones are made out of glass...

      5 months later

      5rlyn I understand this has been somewhat answered by @GrapheneOS that they do not plan to, or are unable to, implement this. That is unfortunate as it is a feature I would like and did trade in my Pixel 8 Pro for a Pixel 9 Pro XL.

      T-Mobile is now partnering with Starlink to roll out satellite text capability this year with voice and data in the future. I would really like to use this as well, and hope that it doesn't have similar technical restrictions as the stock SOS messaging and is able to be utilized with GrapheneOS.

      While I realize there are dedicated devices for this, these features would be invaluable for those of us who do not live in or near a population center. There are plenty of areas without cell coverage. Also, one less device to carry and charge when out on the mountain.

      • de0u replied to this.

          I dont think this is possible , but dual boot ? Otherwise keep your notebook handy to reflash to stock. I mean its better then cutting off your arm xD

          • Dde0u

            • Post #7
            • Edited

            Renegade3 I understand this has been somewhat answered by @GrapheneOS that they do not plan to, or are unable to, implement this.

            So far I don't think it's known whether or not it's possible, let alone how difficult it might be. See below.

            Renegade3 T-Mobile is now partnering with Starlink to roll out satellite text capability this year with voice and data in the future. I would really like to use this as well, and hope that it doesn't have similar technical restrictions as the stock SOS messaging and is able to be utilized with GrapheneOS.

            Again I don't believe it's known what would be necessary for this to work. Terrestrial cellular protocols are documented and multiple implementations exist. So far the satellite situation seems to be based on "partnerships", which appears to mean tightly controlled access. It would be one thing if Garmin/Skylo or T-Mobile/Starlink approached the GrapheneOS project about a partner relationship, but I am unaware of that happening. Perhaps users who really want this could tell those companies that!

            Meanwhile, if this is technically feasible, there is a question about the engineering labor it would take. The satellite-cellular space is changing rapidly, so there is no guarantee that work done to get something working on the Pixel 9 would also work on the Pixel 10.

            If I recall correctly, the built-in thermometer on some Pixel 8 and 9 devices gained GrapheneOS support after the Pixel 9 devices came out. It would make sense if the developers had held off on investing in that feature until they were aware it wasn't a one-off (the way that one of the Pixel 4's had dedicated hardware for face recognition, but not any device since).

            Renegade3 While I realize there are dedicated devices for this, these features would be invaluable for those of us who do not live in or near a population center.

            Personally I would recommend that nobody expect GrapheneOS to have any satellite support for a time measured in years. Maybe only one year! Or maybe only after the market settles down a lot, which will probably be multiple years. And it might very well happen that any eventual support would be for some later version of the technology, i.e., if the Pixel 11 has a satellite calling feature that works with GrapheneOS, it might still happen that the satellite features of the Pixel 9 will never be supported by GrapheneOS.

            Please note that I do not speak for the GrapheneOS project.

                  I think this is an exciting advancement and hope it ends up being feasible for GOS.

                  Now that the beta is live, I did a quick look around, and here's a few items that caught my attention:
                  (1) System uses unmodified cell phones. Starlink is essentially putting cell towers with large, high gain antennae in space. (Download data sheet here: https://www.starlink.com/business/direct-to-cell )

                  (2) Beta limited to certain Samsung Galaxy models so far. Users report sending SMS and MMS only, no RCS (because that would be data, and data isn't planned until later this year, followed sometime later by voice).

                  (3) I read somewhere (I think it was a post on X/Twitter) a comment by Elon saying that regular Starlink wouldn't be coming to passenger cars due to antennae size. This hybrid cellular approach circumvents that issue. (I suspect that lower data speeds would be part of the tradeoff, but I didn't read that anywhere and nothing is live, yet.)

                  (4) Once data is live, it seems possible that one could buy a T-Mobile hotspot to access this service as a bridge until better options emerge.

                  All in all, it's pretty amazing tech

                  19 days later

                  As I understand Stalink Direct to Cell. This is nothing more than a cell signal, coming from modified Starlink Satellites, exactly what we currently use, coming from a Starlink Satellite instead of a cell tower. The only question is - will our GraphenOS devices switch automatically, just as they do today based on cell strength, or in this case when no cell tower signal is avaiable, will it grab service from the low orbit Starlink Satellite. Anyone have insight into this? I have signed up to be a beta tester (Pixel 9 Pro XL with GrapheneOS for the WIN). I will report back with updates as soon as I get accepted into the program. I live in the foothills of the Rockies. My weekends are full of places that have 0 service. More to come.......
                  https://youtu.be/YfPkYzuwqZE?si=-5AhiYXJB8tUZ_Na

                    15 days later

                    BHunter1 I have no idea how it works, but I was accepted into the beta program. Might get a chance this weekend to see if it works. Other than having a certain phone, it doesn't sound like anything else is required, it's supposed to seamlessly switch. The instructions for sharing your location however, specifically says Google Messages.