Are iPhones Outdoor Gear? These iOS 18 Updates Make Us Wonder

Forget AI! The new iPhone operating system will feature satellite-enabled SMS and topographic maps with detailed hiking trails.

Just over a year ago, Apple made a big splash when they launched Emergency Services via Satellite in Australia and New Zealand. It was a big deal that suddenly had people wondering whether PLBs and satellite messengers were going to become redundant.

They also brought out the Apple Watch Ultra, a super tough version of the Apple Watch with a better GPS, safety features, and even a diving mode. We gave it a thorough review.

And then? Well, not much. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 seemed to downplay its outdoor tech and I started to wonder if they’d decided the bush wasn’t for them after all. That is, until now.

Will this new update change the way we explore? | @monsieurremi

iMessage or SMS Without Cellular or Wifi

Being able to text back and forth with an emergency call centre when you’re far from reception is pretty great. The two-way communication enables more efficient rescues, on the ground management of a patient’s condition, and provides more peace of mind.

Some hikers worried that putting this tech in a phone would lead to an influx of inexperienced hikers on the trails. That doesn’t seem to have been the case, though the fact it’s only available for the iPhone 14 and onward (we’re onto the 15 now) means the tech isn’t super widespread.

Now (in the US at least) that tech is going further, according to the iOS 18 preview. You’ll be able to send and receive messages, emojis, and do that little passive-aggressive thumbs-up thing if you’re using iMessage.

Option to send passive-aggressive cake will also be on the menu in iOS 18 | Via Apple

I couldn’t find word on whether this would cost anything. So far Apple’s approach has been ‘free, for now’, though I assume there will eventually be a charge. Keeping all of Globalstar’s satellites spinning ain’t cheap.

This is great news though. In the past you needed a satellite communicator, which generally requires an expensive subscription and device. Now you should be able to let people know you’re running late or ask for directions or help, wherever you end up, potentially for free.

I first saw this news posted on friend of WAE Caro Ryan’s Facebook page (Lotsafreshair – give it a follow) and the comments were staunchly pro ‘keep another device as a backup’. But what if more than one of the members of your party has a modern iPhone? Suddenly you’re covered if one breaks, and I don’t think many people are taking multiple satellite communicators (except Caro, Caro does that).

I guess it’ll all hinge on how reliable the tech is once it comes down under.

Topographic Maps, Trails, Offline Access, and Custom Routes

Again, this tech is only in the US for now, but given the way Emergency Services via Satellite was rolled out, I assume it’ll be in Australia and New Zealand before long.

Apple Maps (they just call it Maps) is now topographic, like your favourite hiking apps. Topographic maps came to watchOS 10 for Apple watches last year and will now appear on phones too.

The ‘detailed trail networks’ and ‘thousands of hikes’ can be explored and saved as routes, in a way likely to rival AllTrails (which was Apple’s app of the year for 2023). No clear word on how Apple pulled these routes together or verified them, which raises some eyebrows, and the challenges in sparser countries like Australia are many and varied.

Crucially, being able to save routes for offline use undercuts a key feature of AllTrails+, the paid version of AllTrails (which we’ve reviewed).

There are risks to relying on crowdsourced apps like AllTrails, as the routes are often not completely verified. They rely on community input, which works pretty well, until it doesn’t. I’d definitely be cross-checking any longer or overnight routes on Apple Maps with other sources, and saving them on my phone once confirmed.

On the flip side, the ‘create your own routes’ tool sounds awesome. I currently use Strava Premium to create trail running routes for myself and push them to my watch.

But I’ll still want Strava for my kudos quota | Via Apple

The tech is getting pretty good since Strava bought 3D Mapping Company FATMAP, but again, if Apple can provide a decent solution on their phones (and watches), I’ll have one less reason for my Strava subscription.

Watch This Space

I’ve still got an iPhone 14 that Apple loaned me to try out their new tech, so as soon as any of it’s available in Aus I’ll be hitting the trails, testing it out, and reporting back on whether it’s useful and reliable for your outdoor adventures.

iOS 18 is currently in beta mode and due to be released in September, so we’ll have to sit tight for a little while longer. Enjoy getting off-grid while you still can!

Header image via Apple