Pixel 9 Satellite Functionality?

BeepBeep

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

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

BeepBeep System uses unmodified cell phones.

I'm wondering why a particular device (Pixel 9) is still required in this case?

BHunter1

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

Renegade3

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.

randomrain9

Renegade3 Any update on your testing?

I was also considering upgrading to the Pixel 9 due to the Satellite feature. It would be huge for backcountry activities.

chinook

Renegade3 any update please? :)

TA!

23Sha-ger

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e
Because it's a hardware functionality, same as Apple's emergency SOS.

BeepBeep

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

My understanding is that the current system is functionally a regular cell tower in space as far as frequencies and communication protocols are concerned, so no new hardware is required. That doesn't mean every phone instantly has the firmware required to fail over to an unrecognized space tower. Assumably, providers elected not to upgrade old devices because they'd rather sell you a new phone with a new contract.

In any event, exciting stuff.

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

23Sha-ger Not the regular LTE then?

23Sha-ger

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e
No. A low bandwidth satellite connection, available on a few carriers.
Suitable only for SMS and emails, it's mainly for emergencies and urgent communications.
I'm not aware of any plans to expand this technology for real internet usage, the latency and
bandwidth will make our mid 90s 28k modems feel like broadband.

https://www.t-mobile.com/support/tutorials/device/google/pixel-9/topic/email-amp-messaging/how-to-send-a-message-via-t-satellite-with-starlink

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

23Sha-ger Thanks for the explanation. I hoped the network would be visible with any LTE phone :(

BeepBeep

23Sha-ger

Elon Musk recently stated that Starlink is headed in precisely this direction. They recently bought $17 billion in spectrum, and required phone hardware changes (new frequencies) will need a couple (his timeline) of years to propagate into devices. He said it may not work deep in a metal building, but the new frequencies should penetrate residential buildings and provide typical Starlink speeds. It won't replace terrestrial options any time soon, no, but it will be usable for most people, most of the time.

23Sha-ger

BeepBeep
Lol, give me a break with his timelines. They became a joke in the IT world.
Manager: ETA?
Employee: Next year, we are working on it.
Manager: Calendar year or Elon Musk next year? :)

Cybertuck, Robotaxi, landing on Mars and whatever.
Yes he delivers, just never on advertized time.

Back to our topic, I said that the current hardware can't support it. If this comes in Pixel 15, that would be great, just too early to make any plans about this now.

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

BeepBeep That doesn't mean every phone instantly has the firmware required to fail over to an unrecognized space tower.

Any phone has the option to manually select network. So I'm curious if the Starlink LTE will be in the list.

BeepBeep

23Sha-ger

You originally wrote, "I'm not aware of any plans to expand this technology for real internet usage..."

I simply thought you would enjoy knowing that there were, in fact, just such plans out there. Perhaps someone else will.

KentG

I have a new Pixel 9 that I've installed GrapheneOS on (tokay 2025110800). After inserting my SIM card, I logged on to tmobile.com and paid $10 per phone line per month for the T-Satellite Add-on (option not available until you have a phone with the required hardware). I installed Google Play services and dependencies, and I installed and set Google Messages as my Default SMS app. I disabled RCS on the Messages app. Then, I went out in the desert where there is no cell coverage. I got a Phone Services notification "Auto connected to satellite", and I even got a little satellite icon at the upper right corner of my phone. After unlocking the phone, I opened Messages and sent an SMS text message. The first message took about 1 minute to connect to satellite and send, but after that, I could send and receive messages with a latency of only about 5 seconds or so per message. Files and images are blocked in Messages with a satellite connection. There is no data connection with satellite, so other messaging apps, Signal, WhatsApp, etc. will not work. I was in a valley with only 45 degrees from the zenith of clear sky in two directions, but it worked great. Much faster and more convenient than the Iridium based system I had been using for backcountry communications.

I'm aware that this configuration may not have acceptable privacy/security for some Graphene users, but it does work with T-Satellite.

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

KentG I installed Google Play services and dependencies, and I installed and set Google Messages as my Default SMS app.

Is it mandatory for the satellite service?

KentG

Probably. When you use stock Google Android to connect to T-Satellite, you get loud repeated messages that only Messages will work. T-Mobile's directions say to use Google Messages: https://www.t-mobile.com/support/tutorials/device/google/pixel-9/topic/email-amp-messaging/how-to-send-a-message-via-t-satellite-with-starlink

Samsung users are being told they will have to use Google Messages to connect to Satellite https://samsung.gadgethacks.com/news/when-your-phone-finally-reaches-for-the-stars-samsungs-satellite-gamble/

However, I have not tried it. My thought is that if Google has tweaked timeouts/retries for Satellite, even if something else seems to work, my plan is to stick with the suggested config for satellite for now. By the way, you get small text links/messages in Google Messages when you are connected to Satellite, things like "what to expect when connected to satellite"), so the app clearly knows when it is in satellite mode.