Violet R.Apple is proud to be the first company to offer satellite connectivity on its iPhones. However, the communication itself is only one-way, with the mobile phone being able to send an emergency message. Shortly afterwards, there were reports of similar technology coming to Android phones, with Qualcomm taking care of the necessary chips. But in the end, everything is different, as Mediatek is coming up with its solution. However, as the first device is not a smartphone. It is the Motorola Defy Satellite Link accessory. Motorola unveiled this device at MWC 2023 in Barcelona.
Motorola Defy Satellite Link
This is a smart pendant with the Motorola Defy Stallite Link designation. The pendant uses Bullitt satellite technology. The pendant uses a chip from MediaTek. The pendant will connect to the Stellite using the open 3GPP NTN “Direct-to-Device” standard. The big advantage of the pendant is the ability to connect your phone via Bluetooth and compatibility with Android and iOS.
Users who don’t want to get a new smartphone, the pendant is an ideal alternative for them. The pendant is expected to cost $99. Satellite communication also requires a service fee, which will cost $5 per month for the SOS Assist feature. The manufacturer will offer a package with an annual subscription called Essentials Messaging, which will include up to 30 messages through Bullitt Satellite Messenger per month on top of the SOS Assist feature. Other users will then receive a message from Bullitt Satellite Messenger in the form of a simple SMS with an invitation to download the app (available on both iOS and Android).
According to CNBC, the service should be available in Europe, North America and later in Australia, Africa, Latin America and New Zealand. Defy Satellite Link also has a handy call-assist feature (by sending an SOS message with location data) in case the paired phone goes dead. The pendant includes a 600mAh battery that should last several days on a full charge, and a dedicated button for sending a message. It also boasts IP68-rated durability, so it won’t be corroded by water or dust. The pendant is expected to hit the market in April this year.
Alternative for Motorola Defy Satellite Link
An alternative to the Motorola Defy Satellite Link is the Garmin inReach Mini. It is a compact satellite communicator and GPS navigation. It can be used in a wide range of outdoor activities so you can use it for hiking, cycling, quad biking or boating. With GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS signal reception and an integrated compass, it ensures highly accurate navigation. In addition, emergency communications and positioning data are transmitted via the Iridium satellite network with 100% global coverage. The black and white transflective display will provide perfect readability even in direct sunlight. When paired with your smartphone with Android or iOS, you can monitor incoming emails, two-way text communication and receive other notifications. Users will also love the new USB-C interface and compatibility with the Garmin Explore app.
Equipment It is equipped with IPX7 waterproofing and MIL-STD-810G military resistance. The device can deal with extreme conditions such as temperature fluctuations, rain, snow, sweat or even mud. The device will last up to 14 days on a charge when recording a location every 10 minutes and up to 30 days when recording a location every 30 minutes. The device costs 350 Euro. Garmin inReach Mini offers 3 subscription options for satellite connectivity. The subscription fee starts from 20 Euro per month. The subscription can be selected in a monthly or annual payment method. You can suspend the service during the low season. You can increase or decrease your subscription free of charge, depending on your current communication needs.
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