Finally: Pocket Satcom
We’ve been waiting for a satcom smartphone for a while now. Last week, AT&T announced a deal with TerreStar:
In the midst of a barrage (literally) of fall phone announcements, AT&T and TerreStar managed to stand apart from the pack on Wednesday with their announcement of an integrated cellular satellite smartphone. The TerreStar Genus will use AT&T’s network, but will also be able to access an all-IP satellite service when cellular coverage isn’t available. You’ll be able to use the phone in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and coastal waters.
With a QWERTY keyboard and a candy bar design, the Genus resembles many a Windows Mobile device (it runs the same OS). Feature details ares slim at this point, but we know that the handset will offer Bluetooth, a touch screen, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Pricing is to be announced, though the Genus will only be released to government customers. Phone Scoop says that AT&T is working on a consumer variant as well.
TerreStar Genus Specifications:
- Size: 118.8 mm x 64.8 mm x 19.25 mm
- Display: 2.6-inch touch screen, QVGA resolution
- Satellite & Terrestrial: 2000-2010 MHz, 2190-2200 MHz S-band
- Terrestrial: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- OS: Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
- 100MB internal memory
- 3 megapixel camera
- QWERTY Keyboard
- Bluetooth
- WiFi
- GPS
- Micro-USB connector
- microSD card slot
- 1400 mAh battery
It runs Windows Mobile. *yawn* Even Blackberry is better than WinMo.
You know, I don’t care for it. Would I want satcom back-up? Yes. Give up my iPhone? No. Wait a minute…
Now that’s a hot idea: build the satcom capability into an iPhone. Now that’s a good enhancement. Might as well add a special feature: bypassing Edge service and connecting directly to satellite. I’d pay extra for that.
I can just picture it now…
[…] is for when other communications fail or are unavailable. We always thought a combination iPhone that uses the S-band for connectivity when regular signal or WiFi are not available would be oh so cool. So maybe now […]