2023-11-20 21:50:05
With the launch of the 15 line iPhones, Apple launched the feature Satellite Roadside Assistance (Roadside Assistance via satellite), which uses the satellite communication network present in iPhones to contact the company’s partner roadside assistance service (the AAA) — which can be useful in cases where there is a lack of fuel/charge or a problem with the vehicle in places without a mobile connection or Wi-Fi.
Em a support pageApple already explains how users can request the service (we also have a post along the same lines) — basically, just be in an area with satellite coverage, type the term “bus station” in the Messages app and tap Roadside Assistance to start a chat with AAA —, but we still didn’t know exactly how the rest of the process would go after contact was made.
This until the YouTuber Brian Tong publish a video showing how the entire process happens — including what the conversation with AAA attendants is like.
The conversation takes place completely in the Messages app interface, with the balloons appearing gray to indicate that it is a message sent using the satellite connection (and not iMessage or SMS/MMS).
During the service, the YouTuber write the year, color and model of the vehicle and, immediately after, authorize the sending of a technician to your location — with estimated arrival time. The user is advised to notify if the problem can be resolved before assistance arrives, so that the process can be suspended.
An interesting detail is that, like messages using the Emergency SOS feature, a Live Activity (Live Activity) is displayed throughout the connection time on the Dynamic Island — this is also why the user monitors the progress of sending their messages, which obviously take much longer to be sent than via iMessage or SMS.
After waiting for a while, the technician arrived at the scene to solve the problem in Tong’s vehicle (it was something with the battery) — which showed that the new iPhone feature can actually be quite effective when in a pinch.
For now, it’s worth remembering, the function is only available to those who live or are in the United States (except Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands).
via 9to5Mac
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#iPhone #Satellite #Roadside #Assistance #action