Apple, the renowned technology giant, has reportedly put together a secret team that is working on satellite technology that can be used to beam down data to its devices directly, bypassing wireless networks.

According to reliable sources, this secret team is considered to already have a dozen engineers. These engineers are from different industries, including antenna design, aerospace, and satellite industries, and are already working on this project. The primary aim of the company is to deploy the outcomes of this initiative in the next five years.

The company’s work on next-generation wireless technology and communications satellites means the focus is possibly on beaming data to a customer’s device. This would further help the company to potentially mitigate the dependence over wireless carriers, or for connecting these devices without using a traditional network.

Additionally, the company would also explore satellites for more specific location tracking for its devices. This would further help improve maps and provide new features.

Sources knowledgeable of the matter stated that the project is currently in its initial stages, and there are chances that the company may drop it. This is because no clear path has been directed by the company for the use of satellites yet. However, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple is reported to have shown interest in the team’s work. This is an indication that the plan is a company priority.

Apple has substantially increased its research and development budget under Tim Cook. The company has spent about $16 billion in the financial year 2019. This is approximately 14% more than what the company had spent in 2018, as per the company’s filings. The company is further looking to get more of its technology through in-house efforts. Adopting satellite technology may help the company in this plan.

The satellite team is led by John Fenwick and Michael Trela. John and Michael are former aerospace engineers who helped Skybox Imaging, a renowned satellite imaging firm, before it was sold to Google back in 2014. The two have also led Google’s spacecraft and satellite operations until they left the company together in 2017 to start a novel initiative at Apple.

Source credit: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-secret-team-satellites/