Apple has filed a patent that would allow voice calls between multiple people without a mobile line or Wi-Fi, and communicate directly with nearby iPhones like AirDrop – Livedoor News

Apple files patent for multi-person voice calls without a mobile line or Wi-Fi, communicating directly with nearby iPhones like AirDrop

It's clear from the company's patent application that Apple is developing a technology that would allow you to make voice calls to multiple people nearby using just your iPhone and AirPods without a cellular line or Wi-Fi.

Apple may allow voice chat without the need for a mobile phone or WiFi network

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/07/11/Apple is trying to reinvent group voice chat without a cell phone or Wi-Fi

Unlike traditional voice calls, which send and receive voice data over the Internet, Apple delivers voice data directly between devices.Apple Watch Walkie TalkieIt has become clear from the company's patent application that a similar function is also being developed for the iPhone. However, unlike the Apple Watch transceiver, instant communication is possible, and voice calls can be made not only between individuals but also between multiple people.

Technology media outlet Appleinsider describes Apple’s patent application as “something like a conversational version of AirDrop.” AirDrop allows iPhone users to share files directly between iPhones without using a cellular network or Wi-Fi. The patent application filed this time appears to use a similar technology for making voice calls. One-on-one calls are also possible, allowing all members of a group to talk at the same time.

For example, this feature seems to come in handy when a group of people are communicating with each other in a crowded festival space. The iPhone also appears to be planning to use technology that calculates the direction and distance of an AirTag, Apple’s lost item tracker, to also indicate the direction and location of the other party during a call.

Apple's Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology allows iPhones and Apple Watches to precisely detect the location of people and objects. As for UWB, Appleinsider explains that UWB is somewhat similar to echolocation, in that it sends out radio waves and measures the signals that come back.

The UWB chip allows iOS and watchOS to get the orientation of a device like an AirTag and measure the distance in real time, making this technology useful not only for voice communication capabilities but also for specific tasks in crowded environments that can also be used when meeting people.

Moreover, mobile phone and Wi-Fi lines may become unusable due to overload in emergency situations such as disasters, but with Apple's technology, it has become possible to make a voice call to a specific person without any problems even if the line is cut off indicating that it may be useful in emergency situations.

The technology's user interface features dual circles, with people nearby displayed in the inner circle and people far away displayed in the outer circle.

Similar to AirDrop, this new technology allows you to start voice calls with people other than those in your contacts. You can add users to a conversation by simply tapping on their names, and the only requirement to participate in the call is that you have to be near the host. However, like AirDrop, options like “Only call people whose contacts you know” will likely be made available.