Activating emergency SOS on your iPhone
Emergencies can happen at any time and if you have an iPhone 14 or 14 Pro and the latest operating system, you now have more options available to get help.
“You could be in a remote area that doesn’t have any cellular connectivity and this new system will certainly help,” said Ritesh Kotak, cybersecurity and tech analyst.
“This is when the satellite emergency-based system kicks in. You will get a prompt saying, ‘do you want to connect with 911 and satellite-based SOS?’”
Kotak said you essentially send text messages to the 911 relay centre, which will alert crews on the ground.
“No longer having connectivity is no longer an issue. And those services at this point are only available in North America.”
There is a way for users to demo this service, Kotak said, without calling 911.
“It will interesting to see in a few months the data on how many were able to use this service. At the end of the day, you do need direct access to the satellites. However, I tried this indoors and was able to connect.”
Kotak added this emergency SOS system using satellites is not available on older model iPhones or Android devices.
However, he added if you have an iPhone 14 or 14 Pro, the service is compatible with Apple Watch.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, two in five boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling.
NEW How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move
Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.
Ontario mother loses $2,500 to text scammer pretending to be daughter
An Ontario mother lost $2,500 to a scammer pretending to be her daughter asking for help in late April.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.