Apple’s ‘secret team’ working on satellite tech to beam data to devices
Monday, December 23, 2019 IST
Potential success will signal end of dependence on wireless carriers
Apple Inc has a secret team working on satellites and related wireless technology, striving to find new ways to beam data such as internet connectivity directly to its devices, according to people familiar with the work.
The California-based iPhone maker has about a dozen engineers from the aerospace, satellite and antenna design industries working on the project with the goal of deploying their results within five years, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal company efforts.
Work on the project is still early and could be abandoned, the people said, and a clear direction and use for satellites hasn’t been finalised. Still, Apple’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cook, has shown interest in the project, indicating it’s a company priority. Apple’s work on communications satellites and next-generation wireless technology means the aim is likely to beam data to a user’s device, potentially mitigating the dependence on wireless carriers, or for linking devices together without a traditional network.
Location tracking
Apple could also be exploring satellites for more precise location tracking for its devices, enabling improved maps and new features.
It is not clear if Apple intends to pursue the costly development of a satellite constellation itself or simply harness on-the-ground equipment that would take data from existing satellites and send it to mobile devices. Northrop Grumman Corp, Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co are some of the biggest satellite makers. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
Amazon.com Inc plans to deploy over 3,000 satellites as part of a future constellation. However, the industry is littered with failures. Newer efforts from Facebook, SpaceX and Amazon are a long way from generating revenue, and Apple rarely enters new categories without a clear way to make money.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
In September, more than three years since the incident, the woman received an email saying, "This is you right?" with a link to the video on a porn site p...
Recently posted . 790 views . 2 min read
We have all read about how the magnetic field of the earth protects us from the solar radiation. However, according to reports, that magnetic field is now weakening...
Recently posted . 965 views . 1 min read
The first man who set foot on Moon died a wrongful death due to post-surgical complications in 2012. His family was given a secret settlement in 2014 by an Ohio hos...
Recently posted . 678 views . 1 min read
Four judges of the Supreme Court took the unprecedented step of publicly criticising the chief justice. Donald Trump denied using vulgar language about Haiti and co...
Recently posted . 692 views . 2 min read
Nonaka was born on July 25, 1905 just months before Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity
Recently posted . 589 views . 1 min read
Trending News & Articles
ALMATY: Hour upon hour, day upon day, Omir Bekali and other detainees in far western China's new indoctrination camps had to disavow the...
Recently posted . 199K views . 1 min read
If you have payed attention to the belly buttons of people on the beach or the members of your family, you have probably noticed that they have different shapes and...
Recently posted . 8K views . 2 min read
In this age of terror, there might be nothing more terrifying than the thought of an attack carried out with chemical weapons. We’ve all heard the horrific ...
Recently posted . 3K views . 4 min read
Body fitness is one thing that everyone wants to maintain irrespective of age. Going to the gym and doing some great exercise always helps to maintain your body fit...
Recently posted . 3K views . 2 min read
More in Global
"Fearless Girl" is now the subject of a court order blocking her creator from selling a replica to buyers in Germany.
Recently posted. 610 views . 0 min read
6 things you must teach to your children during the everyday chit-chat.
Summer vacations are the best time to bond with your ...
Recently posted. 628 views . 3 min read
The most preferred payment options today are debit and credit cards, but do you know when a credit card should be used and when using a debit card may be a better o...
Recently posted. 649 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 875 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 140 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 49 min read
Come Register at www.mineredge.io / We are Building World’s Larges...
Recently posted. 695 views . 1 min read
Imagine you enter your house after a tiring day and find your wife in bed with another man? What would you do? Of course, you will be terribly disappointed &ndash...
Recently posted. 842 views . 1 min read