By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

News Junction

Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’
    For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’
    May 14, 2025
    Did the US flinch first in tariff war with China? | Trade War News
    Did the US flinch first in tariff war with China? | Trade War News
    May 14, 2025
    Saudis use burgers to impress Trump (VIDEO) — RT World News
    Saudis use burgers to impress Trump (VIDEO) — RT World News
    May 14, 2025
    Sony shares rise in choppy trade as PlayStation maker announces .7 billion share buyback
    Sony shares rise in choppy trade as PlayStation maker announces $1.7 billion share buyback
    May 14, 2025
    U.S. to cut tariffs on small packages from China to as low as 30% – National
    U.S. to cut tariffs on small packages from China to as low as 30% – National
    May 14, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Ukraine blows up bridges to consolidate its positions in Russia
    Ukraine blows up bridges to consolidate its positions in Russia
    August 18, 2024
    Commentary: AI phones from Google and Apple will erode trust in everything
    Commentary: AI phones from Google and Apple will erode trust in everything
    August 18, 2024
    The most famous Indian Dishes – Insights Success
    The most famous Indian Dishes – Insights Success
    August 18, 2024
    Life on the road as a female long rides cyclist
    Life on the road as a female long rides cyclist
    August 18, 2024
    UK inflation rises to 2.2%
    UK inflation rises to 2.2%
    August 18, 2024
  • Cryptocurrency
    CryptocurrencyShow More
    Price analysis 3/10: SPX, DXY, BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, PI
    Price analysis 3/10: SPX, DXY, BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, PI
    May 14, 2025
    Ethereum retakes 10% control of crypto market, but ETH bulls shouldn’t celebrate yet
    Ethereum retakes 10% control of crypto market, but ETH bulls shouldn’t celebrate yet
    May 14, 2025
    Top South Korean presidential hopefuls support legalizing Bitcoin ETFs
    Top South Korean presidential hopefuls support legalizing Bitcoin ETFs
    May 14, 2025
    Ex-SEC Chair Gary Gensler privately supported crypto — McHenry
    Ex-SEC Chair Gary Gensler privately supported crypto — McHenry
    May 14, 2025
    Bitcoin Pepe nears .2M on Solana hype
    Bitcoin Pepe nears $8.2M on Solana hype
    May 14, 2025
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    How to Improve Your Spotify Recommendations
    How to Improve Your Spotify Recommendations
    August 18, 2024
    X says it’s closing operations in Brazil
    X says it’s closing operations in Brazil
    August 18, 2024
    Supermoon set to rise: Top tips for amateur photographers | Science & Tech News
    Supermoon set to rise: Top tips for amateur photographers | Science & Tech News
    August 18, 2024
    Scientists Want to See Videos of Your Cat for a New Study
    Scientists Want to See Videos of Your Cat for a New Study
    August 18, 2024
    OpenAI’s new voice mode let me talk with my phone, not to it
    OpenAI’s new voice mode let me talk with my phone, not to it
    August 18, 2024
  • Entertainment
  • Sports News
  • People
  • Trend
Reading: Family Escapes Maui Fires Using Apple’s iPhone Emergency SOS
Share
Font ResizerAa

News Junction

  • World News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Trend
  • Entertainment
Search
  • Recent Headlines in Entertainment, World News, and Cryptocurrency – NewsJunction
  • World News
  • Business
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Sports News
  • People
  • Trend
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
News Junction > Blog > Technology > Family Escapes Maui Fires Using Apple’s iPhone Emergency SOS
Family Escapes Maui Fires Using Apple’s iPhone Emergency SOS
Technology

Family Escapes Maui Fires Using Apple’s iPhone Emergency SOS

Published August 11, 2023
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite connectivity feature debuted last November and has already played a central role in several dramatic, lifesaving rescues. It’s helped pluck lost hikers out of L.A. County’s canyons and locate stranded snowmobilers in remote parts of Alaska. And now, it’s helping save folks struggling to outrun the wildfires taking over the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Is USB-C Finally Coming To iPhone?

Michael J. Miraflor tweeted out screenshots depicting what it’s like on the emergency contact side of Apple’s proprietary offerings. As described, Miraflor’s “brother’s girlfriend’s cousin” and his family were on holiday in Maui’s Lahaina area when they suddenly realized their surroundings had “erupted” into flames. Screenshots show how the family member used the iPhone 14’s satellite-based Emergency SOS service to message for help. Despite being in a central tourist area where you’d expect cell service, the family likely lost connection as the fires overtook the infrastructure.

“Five people inside a white van,” wrote the call for help, followed by a harrowing all-caps cry. “PLEASE ADVISE! FIRE EVERYWHERE.” It took about 34 minutes of back and forth between the iPhone 14 sending off details, Apple’s Emergency SOS dispatch center, and the local authorities before the rescue concluded. It’s all documented in one long run-on screenshot, which you can view in the original tweet. The person listed as emergency contact in the iPhone is privy to the entire rescue via a log, including when family members were safely away from danger.

I contacted Miraflor to confirm where the screenshots came from. He replied that the texts were from his brother’s girlfriend, the emergency contact for the cousin who reached out for help in Maui. I also checked in with Apple, and while the company is not providing comment on this specific instance, it did send over a link to its support page to help remind everyone of how to get Emergency SOS via satellite activated on a compatible iPhone. You can try a demo at home to learn how it works beforehand while calm and not facing impending disaster.

Apple invested a ton of money into its Emergency SOS via satellite feature—about $450 million in the U.S. alone. The company’s latest device, the iPhone 14/14 Pro has the requisite satellite-pinging hardware for the feature. They’re currently the only models with the feature, though it’s likely the iPhone 15 plans to carry the legacy. The SOS service has since expanded to more areas around the globe—the U.S., Canada, most of Western Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. International travelers visiting a location with Emergency SOS can take advantage of the feature if they find themselves in a bind unless they bought their phone in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macao.

Android users are still waiting for their equivalent feature. Earlier this year, Qualcomm demonstrated the satellite connectivity capabilities as they would exist in future Android smartphones, though only for manufacturers like Samsung, which use Qualcomm’s chips in its phones. Google’s Pixel smartphones are made in-house. Though Android’s SVP, Hiroshi Lockheimer, has promised support for satellite connectivity in Android 14 (due out soon), there is no centralized offering akin to the one Apple has for iPhone users, nor an accompanying system of emergency dispatchers like Apple’s.

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 offer car crash detection but will only call for help if connected to cell service. Motorola also launched the standalone Motorola Defy. It tethers to an Android device to offer satellite SOS but is not a built-in solution.

The ability to contact emergency services despite a lack of cell service has been a significant value-add for Apple’s ecosystem. And with this coverage in the face of constant climate disasters, it could very well be the thing that continues to lure in users who want a platform with emergency help natively built in. Hopefully, Android gets on board soon because it feels like we’ll all be outrunning some major climate disaster sooner or later with only our phones in hand.

#Family #Escapes #Maui #Fires #Apples #iPhone #Emergency #SOS

- Advertisement -
TAGGED:AccidentandroidAppleApplesCloud clientsCrash DetectionDisasterEmergencyEnvironmentEscapesfamilyfiresGizmodoHiroshi LockheimerInternetiPhoneiPhone 14/14ITunesMauiMichael J. MiraflorMobile phonesMotorolaMotorola DroidPixelQualcommSamsungsmartphoneSOSTechnologyVideotelephony
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article Tapestry stock dives while Capri skyrockets as investors question mega merger Tapestry stock dives while Capri skyrockets as investors question mega merger
Next Article ‘Better to have no rice than to be outclassed’: Why a customised minivan is a coveted ride in Indonesia’s Manado ‘Better to have no rice than to be outclassed’: Why a customised minivan is a coveted ride in Indonesia’s Manado
- Advertisement -

Latest Post

Price analysis 3/10: SPX, DXY, BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, PI
Price analysis 3/10: SPX, DXY, BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, PI
Cryptocurrency
For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’
For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’
World News
Ethereum retakes 10% control of crypto market, but ETH bulls shouldn’t celebrate yet
Ethereum retakes 10% control of crypto market, but ETH bulls shouldn’t celebrate yet
Cryptocurrency
Did the US flinch first in tariff war with China? | Trade War News
Did the US flinch first in tariff war with China? | Trade War News
World News
Top South Korean presidential hopefuls support legalizing Bitcoin ETFs
Top South Korean presidential hopefuls support legalizing Bitcoin ETFs
Cryptocurrency
Saudis use burgers to impress Trump (VIDEO) — RT World News
Saudis use burgers to impress Trump (VIDEO) — RT World News
World News
- Advertisement -

You Might Also Like

Sam Hunt Shares Rare Insight Into Family Life With Wife Hannah Lee
Entertainment

Sam Hunt Shares Rare Insight Into Family Life With Wife Hannah Lee

September 2, 2023
Hurricanes More Likely to Kill Minorities in the U.S.
Technology

Hurricanes More Likely to Kill Minorities in the U.S.

August 18, 2023
Banana Pi BPI-M7 now available with Rockchip RK3588 chipset and Android 12 support
Trend

Banana Pi BPI-M7 now available with Rockchip RK3588 chipset and Android 12 support

January 30, 2024
Nearly complete dinosaur fossil sells for record £34m | Science & Tech News
Technology

Nearly complete dinosaur fossil sells for record £34m | Science & Tech News

July 18, 2024

About Us

NEWS JUNCTION (NewsJunction.xyz) Your trusted destination for global news. Stay informed with our timely and accurate reporting on diverse topics, including politics, technology, science, entertainment, sports, and more. Count on us for unbiased and reliable updates at your fingertips.

Quick Link

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact

Top Categories

  • World News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Sports News
  • Trend
  • People

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    © 2023 News Junction.
    • Blog
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?