Roadside Assistance via Satellite provides more help for iPhone users

By free service, I assume you mean just the calling feature (satellite only needed if out of cell range), not the fix- it truck or tow you get.  That would be a separate service that has its own cost.   If that service stop is covered for two years, that would be way too amazing to believe.  

jellybelly said:

By free service, I assume you mean just the calling feature (satellite only needed if out of cell range), not the fix- it truck or tow you get.  That would be a separate service that has its own cost.   If that service stop is covered for two years, that would be way too amazing to believe.  

I do think an edit is in order to prevent false expectations of what is free for two years.  It’s not obvious to all that will read the article.  

Otherwise, great news and lots of fast reporting on Apple’s reveal event. 

Apparently only AAA for the moment. This year AAA California is $56/year for the basic service. As a 49 year member* I can say even if you need them once every couple of years it's worth it.

* Except that one year back in the 1970s, while I was a struggling student, when they kicked me out because I ran out of gas 24 times in 6 months. LOL.

jellybelly said:

By free service, I assume you mean just the calling feature (satellite only needed if out of cell range), not the fix- it truck or tow you get.  That would be a separate service that has its own cost.   If that service stop is covered for two years, that would be way too amazing to believe.  

I do think an edit is in order to prevent false expectations of what is free for two years.  It’s not obvious to all that will read the article.  

Otherwise, great news and lots of fast reporting on Apple’s reveal event. 

During the Apple video earlier, they did mention that the satellite-based roadside service request functionality would be free for existing AAA members (with more providers to come later) as well as new members. So the linkup itself is free for "two years" (Or until Apple figures out how/if they will charge us for this great feature) but yes you must pay for your own AAA membership still. And I also agree, the annual fee is well worth it if you ever need the services and CAN be worth it with discounted hotel rooms and other things (Always check the Non-AAA prices though as discounts/sales are sometimes less).

Lost in translation is the fact that Apple’s satellite road service is US only. 

I swear, if Apple covered the entire planet with a new service starting on day one, there would be people complaining, "wtf, it doesn't work off of Earth!"