No cell service? No problem. At least that’s the tune those associated with goTenna are singing. The new startup is looking to turn smartphones into walkie-talkies—well, sort of. By connecting the company’s hardware to a user’s smartphone via bluetooth, a smartphone becomes capable of harnessing good, old-fashioned radio waves. The device works with both Apple and Android devices, and it sends text messages directly from one phone to another.
The process of using the device seems lengthy, but it is actually relatively easy to use. Once the custom app is downloaded, all users have to do is connect their smartphone to the device in order to harness its radio signal. In addition to sending and receiving text messages, the device can also alert others to the user’s location.
Though slightly too big to fit into one’s pocket, the device can be attached to a user’s belt or backpack with relative ease. The goTenna has to be that size because the device emits a low wave frequency, and the longer the antenna, the lower the wave frequency can be. On the plus side, low wave frequencies can travel much farther than high ones. The device is able to emit a signal as far as three miles in condensed, wooded areas, and can emit signals as far as eight miles over open water or flat, open land.
The device should be immediately endorsed by nature enthusiasts, such as hikers and boaters, who often find themselves in the middle of nowhere. The goTenna will give greater freedom for those determined to isolate themselves from society, while the device serves as a safety net. The device can even be used to communicate within groups, and there is even an open broadcast mode that can be utilized.
The battery lasts approximately 72 hours depending on how frequently its used. A longer battery life is part of the reason the device only emits text messages. Rather than offering real-time voice communication, which demands a substantial amount of power to operate, goTenna uses SMS messaging, which requires far less bandwidth and less electricity. The antenna is currently available for pre-order and starts at $149 for two devices.
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