Apple working on satellites for direct communication with future iPhones

A rumor is going around that Apple is working on its own communication satellites and related wireless technology. Exact details of the project are unknown but Bloomberg note CEO Tim Cook has shown an interest in the plan, indicating it's a company priority. The agency speculates that Apple may be planning to cut wireless carriers out of the market, by setting up its own data network via satellites. It's unknown whether Apple plans to launch its own satellites, or if it plans to hire capacity on existing satellites.

Space is about to get a lot more crowded as various companies are planning to send huge numbers of small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Both SpaceX and Amazon plan to launch thousands of satellites to set up a low-latency, high-speed Internet network that works across the globe.

Results from the Apple project are expected within five years.

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 deploying 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 hasn’t been finalized. Still, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has shown interest in the project, indicating it’s a company priority.