Apple Shifts iPhone Satellite Messaging to Amazon’s $11.6B Leo Network, Closing Three Stores
Amazon’s $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar will transfer iPhone 14 emergency satellite messaging to Amazon’s Leo network, making Apple an anchor customer for the service. Apple will close three mall-based stores in Towson, Maryland; Trumbull, Connecticut; and Escondido, California by June 11, including its first unionized location, citing weak mall conditions.
1. Amazon Globalstar Acquisition Alters Apple Emergency Messaging
Amazon’s $11.6 billion purchase of Globalstar will migrate iPhone 14 and later emergency satellite messaging from Globalstar to Amazon’s Leo network, positioning Apple as a primary customer and creating a new dependency for a feature critical to device safety.
2. Apple to Close Three Mall-Based Stores Including First Union Site
Apple plans to shutter its Towson, Maryland; Trumbull, Connecticut; and Escondido, California stores by June 11, closing its first-ever unionized location and attributing the decision to declining foot traffic in mall environments.