Yeah exactly. I was thinking that but didn’t feel like making my reply so long. They will likely add the ability to send messages to people by choice rather than just for emergencies when they start charging for the service.

Other PLBs and satellite communicators are also hundreds of dollars themselves plus the subscription. A Garmin inreach is $400 plus a $12 per month plan. Apple will have to be comparable. I doubt apple will charge multiple hundreds, but if they charge $99 it’s a no brainer considering how often I am in backcountry locations doing activities that could result in serious injury.