Shulou(Shulou.com)05/31 Report--

Apple is developing satellite technology to transfer data to user devices and could launch a new high-tech initiative within five years, according to a new Bloomberg report.

However, there are many unknowns and warnings. Bloomberg said the project was "still at an early stage and could be abandoned" and that it was unclear what Apple's ultimate goal would be. It is not clear whether the company will develop its own satellite or just use other people's satellite data.

However, with this technology, iPhone manufacturers can do many useful things. It can improve its mapping services and location tracking, or improve the mobile reception and Internet coverage of its devices, making the company more independent of operators.

According to reports, the Apple team is led by former Google satellite employees.

Apple currently has about 12 engineers involved in the project, but is steadily adding staff, Bloomberg said. The team is said to be made up of a pair of aerospace engineers, Michael Trela and jon foo Wick, who took pictures for sky box, a satellite imaging company acquired by Google in 2014. Although before Google, Terrera, the leader in satellite and spacecraft work, and the market segment turned to Apple in 2017.

These reports are temporary, but Apple is certainly not the only technology company interested in satellites. The field is undergoing a renaissance as new technologies reduce costs. SpaceX and Amazon are actively providing Internet coverage by satellite and have begun launching things that will eventually put thousands of aircraft constellations into low-Earth orbit.

However, the development of the satellite industry is complex and full of significant failures, such as Iridium, Universal Star and TV discs. These companies raised a lot of money and launched satellites in the 1990s, but they were unable to sustain themselves because of financial and technical challenges.

It remains to be seen whether Apple's satellite will fail or fly. However, Bloomberg reported that Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive, was interested in the project, which could be a positive sign that the company is increasing its R & D spending of 14 per cent to $16 billion in 2019.

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