According to a new report, Apple is said to have a secret department working on satellite technology for direct data transmission to end devices.
The project is still in the early stages of research and is actually considered top secret. But Bloomberg has already obtained initial information from insiders. According to this, Apple would employ a special department consisting of engineers from the aerospace, satellite and antenna design industries. The Bloomberg report states:
The Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker has about a dozen engineers from the aerospace, satellite and antenna design industries working on the project, with the goal of disseminating their results within five years, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal company efforts. Work on the project is still early and could be abandoned, the people said, and a clear direction and use for satellites has not yet been finalized. Still, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has shown interest in the project, indicating it is a company priority.
However, according to the report, the goal could likely be to beam data to a user's device to reduce overall reliance on cellular or WiFi connections. Alternatively, the research could be related to the company's own mapping software.
Familiar faces in the team
It is also unclear whether Apple wants to use its own satellites in orbit or use existing networks. According to Bloomberg's sources, Michael Trela and John Fenwick, who previously headed Google's satellite and space divisions, have also been assigned to the project. Former Aerospace Corporation executive Ashely Moore Williams is also said to be involved. Since the project is in a very early phase, it could be abandoned at any time. So far, almost all data communication requires a satellite and a ground station to transmit information - if Apple succeeds in using the direct route, that would of course be a major step forward. The whole thing should therefore remain particularly exciting. (Photo by Andrey Armyagov / Bigstockphoto)
