FollowThe world of communication gadgets gets richer by the day. Smartwatches are the gadget of the year so far. Even Microsoft might join the hype and launch a wristband device soon. Now goTenna launched a device backed by a very utilitarian concept.
The walky-talky was a brilliant invention and we can finally meet a worthy successor, the goTenna messaging device. The sweet feeling of mobility awarded by the wireless technology probably pushed the development of modern mobile communication technology. But there is something the walky-talky had and is not available on your smartphone. To increase the communication range, the modern devices rely on intermediary antennas. The walky-talky had autonomy, but the range is limited to a couple of miles on average. What if we could enjoy the wide mobility given by mobile carriers and combine it with the local autonomy provided by walky-talky technology?
goTenna promises this and even more. The company created a Bluetooth accessory to be paired with a goTenna app on your smartphone. The company sells pairs of communication devices. Right now, a pair is available for preorder for $149.99. The price will double after the release which is scheduled for this Fall.
goTenna messaging device works where there is no coverage
What can you do with goTenna? Taking into account the design and messages from their website, goTenna seems to target adventure seekers, the fans of outdoor activities. With goTenna, users can have communication capabilities where no coverage and no Wi-Fi signals are available. That is more probable to happen in the woods, at isolated sea sides and generally speaking, in the rural areas. But crowded groups, such as concert gatherings, can stretch the carrier’s bandwidth capacity and goTenna might be an excellent alternative. Natural disasters can damage antennas and goTenna would be of great help at finding survivors.
A maximum communication range of 50.5 miles between two devices is promised under ideal conditions. In real world conditions we should expect a much lower range. The producer offers advise on how to increase the communication range, for example, by placing the device in top of the backpack, not at the bottom of it.
More precisely, goTenna allows users to send and receive text messages for free, share locations on detailed maps, emergency chat, individual and group messaging and other. An interesting feature is the end-to-end communication encryption, along with self-destructing messages capacities. A veritable espionage gadget.
The goTenna messaging device features a 2 watt radio, can store up to 1000 messages, has a rechargeable battery and micro-USB connector. The iOS and Android compatible accessory is designed to withstand harsh conditions, obviously, so it is resistant to water and dust and can be attached easily by using the nylon attachement strap.
