NationStates Jolt Archive

Great news for all y'all that have put off buying an iPhone. Now, you can use it _anywhere_. Looks like Apple is going to buy the Iridium satellite constellation.

From the 1 APR 2008 issue of tidbits (http://db.tidbits.com/article/9530) newsletter...

Already, the iPhone can switch between the EDGE cell data network and Wi-Fi, choosing the best connection at the time, since Wi-Fi offers far more throughput than EDGE, but is available in many fewer locations. With the second generation iPhone, anticipated for the middle of 2008, Apple is widely expected to add 3G data support, which should provide more cellular data bandwidth. But sources have confirmed that Apple won't just be adding 3G support, but will also be acquiring the Iridium satellite network and giving the second-generation iPhone satellite phone capabilities. With Iridium support, the iPhone will work anywhere in the world, at sea, in the air, and even at the poles.


Pretty cool, huh? Beat that Microsoft!

Great news for all y'all that have put off buying an iPhone. Now, you can use it _anywhere_. Looks like Apple is going to buy the Iridium satellite constellation.

From the 1 APR 2008 issue of tidbits (http://db.tidbits.com/article/9530) newsletter...


Pretty cool, huh? Beat that Microsoft!

That'd be awesome. Except for the fact that AT&T blows. But still, pretty cool for present iPhone users.

*scurries off to Mathematical Methods of Physics*

Another April fools thread?

Pretty cool, huh? Beat that Microsoft!

They don't have to; PCs kick the shit out of Macs.

Also, Zunes are better than iPods, it's just that nobody knows it. >_<

Another April fools thread?
We report, you decide.

They don't have to; PCs kick the shit out of Macs.

Also, Zunes are better than iPods, it's just that nobody knows it. >_<
This acquisition is going to pay off like no other. iPhones and iPods have already made Apple far more successful than computers ever could.

Just imagine, though, world-wide communications over a consumer product. The Iridium "bricks" that exist now are so unwieldy and expensive that only DoD uses much of the SatCom technology. This is going to absolutely revolutionize personal communications.

Yeah, run it on a limited supply of meteorite rock...

...april's fools joke, definitely.

Oh, Iridium is a satellite network too? Dammit... <- chemist here, I only think in chemistry terms.

Just imagine, though, world-wide communications over a consumer product. The Iridium "bricks" that exist now are so unwieldy and expensive that only DoD uses much of the SatCom technology. This is going to absolutely revolutionize personal communications.

Sure it is. Because I'm going to use my mobile to call Europe when I can use my home phone. :rolleyes:

Sure it is. Because I'm going to use my mobile to call Europe when I can use my home phone. :rolleyes:

The fact that you still have a home phone pretty much removes you from the equation here.

A great number of people don't.

The fact that you still have a home phone pretty much removes you from the equation here.

A great number of people don't.

Maybe in the United States. Everybody else has them; it's absolutely dirt cheap to call with home phones.

Americans. Always jumping head-first into everything. :rolleyes:

I guess there are just not enough us technology geeks out there to appreciate this April Fools joke. I thought this was one of the better ones that "tidbits" has ever done, but it appears to be wasted on y'all.