GoTenna: a device that lets you communicate without network

The new gadget GoTenna allows network-free texting.

The situation is so irritating when we face the network problem in low coverage or no coverage area. Locations with minor to no signal can be absolutely disgusting, and overcrowded events can be just as bad. But now the solution is right here. A device named ‘GoTenna’ lets you send message when no network is available.

Important Facts about GoTenna:

1. It’s actually a walkie-talkie dongle


2. This device lets user send messages and location to each other


3. It uses radio wave to communicate over 50 miles


4. Created by two Brooklyn brothers


5. It also provide the map of the location

 

Here is How GoTenna Is looks like:

The GoTenna is basically a 2W radio and an antenna with a microUSB connector, a Bluetooth LE data interface, a rechargeable Li-ion battery and flash memory, enclosed in a box measuring 5.8 x 1 x 0.5 inches.

The device can be extended to 8 inches in length. It weighs 2 ounces.

The casing consists of high-grade, durable metal, nylon and silicone that are water-resistant and dust-tight.

The GoTenna has status indicator lights and a nylon attachment strap.

Working principle of GoTenna:

The GoTenna is essentially a small, low-power (2 watts) radio transceiver. It’s powered by a lithium-ion battery, and it connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. The company behind GoTenna is rather vague about the technical specifications of the device, but given the max claimed range (up to 50 miles), it probably transmits on a very low frequency (and probably has very low max bandwidth). GoTenna creates an ad-hoc, encrypted network between any other GoTennas in range. It’s kind of like a smartphone equivalent of a CB radio.

You can connect the GoTenna to any iOS or Android device via Bluetooth. After that, all you have to do is download the GoTenna app and fire off a message to anyone else who might be in range. Depending on your elevation and environment, the signal can travel upwards of 50 miles. By default, only your intended recipient will be able to read your message, but a “shout” feature allows messaging any GoTenna user within range. It doesn’t use cell towers or WiFi at all, so it’ll work even if all other forms of communication are unavailable.

Development of this device:

The device was conceived in the US towards the end of 2012 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the storm knocked out around a quarter of cell towers across a 10 state area, leaving people unable to communicate when it was most critical. Siblings and goTenna founders Daniela and Jorge Perdomo saw that there would be a benefit to people being able to communicate in such situations via their mobile phones regardless of mobile network service.

“Our mission is twofold: to let people communicate whenever and wherever they want, on their own terms, and also to make sure that in times of a true emergency, people are able to reach others around them,” says Daniela Perdomo.

Prototype devices were created at Brooklyn hackspace NYC Resistor and continued development was followed by seed funding in late 2013. Investors include Bloomberg Beta, Collaborative Fund, Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and MentorTech Ventures.

Features and Prize:

The GoTenna lets users send and receive text messages for free instantaneously, as well as share locations on offline maps. Its features include automatic message retry and delivery confirmation.

It offers a proximal friend map, location pinging and end-to-end encryption. Messages are self-destructing.

The GoTenna enables individual and group messaging, lets users “shout” broadcasts to anyone within range, and has an emergency chat feature. The latter two features employ unencrypted messages.

It saves messages received when the user’s smartphone is turned off.The device is compatible with iOS 7 and higher, and Android 4.x and higher.

A GoTenna can be connected only to one smartphone. Stored messages are deleted automatically if another smartphone tries to connect to it, which is a safety feature.

GoTenna is taking preorders starting Thursday. For $149, you get a pair of devices. Following the first batch of sales up to $50,000, GoTenna plans to raise the price to $299 per pair.

So it’s time to go beyond the network with GoTenna.

 

 

GoTenna: a device that lets you communicate without network