Qualcomm, Android telephone makers growing satellite tv for pc messaging function By Reuters

By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) – Qualcomm (NASDAQ:) Inc on Monday mentioned it was working with a gaggle of Android smartphone corporations so as to add satellite-based messaging capabilities to their units.

The San Diego, California-based firm, which is the world’s greatest provider of chips that join cell phones to wi-fi knowledge networks, mentioned it’s working with Honor, Lenovo-owned Motorola (NYSE:), Nothing, OPPO, Vivo and Xiaomi (OTC:) Corp to develop the units.

Satellite tv for pc-based communications can ship and obtain knowledge in distant or rural areas the place different telecommunications networks are usually not accessible. Qualcomm introduced that it was including the capabilities to its chips earlier this 12 months.

Qualcomm’s work with Android gadget makers is more likely to intensify competitors between these manufacturers and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:), which final 12 months unveiled the power to ship emergency satellite tv for pc messages as one of many flagship options of its latest iPhone lineup. These new iPhones comprise a chip from Qualcomm, although Apple instructed Reuters that in addition they comprise customized {hardware} and software program which are proprietary to Apple.

Qualcomm didn’t say when the brand new satellite tv for pc messaging options from the Android smartphone manufacturers named on Monday would develop into accessible. Earlier this 12 months, Qualcomm mentioned that some Android telephones would have the options by the second half of this 12 months.