September 22nd, 2008 by
Filed under: Cellphones
SkyTerra’s Mobile Satellite Ventures, ICO Global Communications and Qualcomm have jointly announced today a partnership that could have far-reaching implications in the mobile realm. In short, the trio has agreed to “integrate satellite and cellular communication technology in select multi-mode mobile baseband chips,” which will essentially enable handsets to have “ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America, including areas where traditional cellular service is currently unavailable or unreliable.” The release proclaims that this hookup will lead to satellite connectivity being in mass-market devices, but only time will tell how long it takes for compatible handsets to get adopted by carriers. Unfortunately, we do know it won’t happen prior to 2010, as that’s the planned ship date for the newfangled chips. Thanks for the heads-up, guys — but oh, how the tease hurts us.
[Via PhoneScoop]
Update: Images provided are of Mobile Satellite Ventures’ design concepts.
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Posted in Satellite, partnership, qualcomm, agreement, baseband, Cellular, sat phone, satellite phone, SatellitePhone, SatPhone, global, ICO Global, IcoGlobal, skyTerra | No Comments »
April 21st, 2008 by
Filed under: Cellphones
We’ve already seen one hybrid satellite phone shown off far in advance of its promised release date this month, and Elektrobit now looks to be doing things one better, with it debuting an even less satellite phone-looking device that’s supposedly coming even sooner. If the company is to be believed, you’ll be able to get your hands on the Windows Mobile-based device pictured above sometime in 2009, with it offering everything you’d expect from a standard smartphone with the added benefit of always-on satellite access for times when you stray beyond a cellular signal. That bit of convenience will come from the TerreStar satellite network, which hasn’t actually launched yet but, last we heard, was still on track for the end of this year. As for the phone itself, you can apparently expect to get Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, along with HSDPA support, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, a 3-megapixel camera, and voice controls, among other standard smartphone features. No word on a price just yet, but Elektrobit says it’ll be “cost competitive” with standard cellphones.
[Via The Boy Genius Report]
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Posted in windows mobile, WindowsMobile, satellite phone, SatellitePhone, elektrobit, hybrid satellite phone, HybridSatellitePhone | No Comments »
April 4th, 2008 by
Filed under: Cellphones
On a typical day, anything shown off at CTIA with a “coming in 2010″ sticker would cause some serious unrest, but given that we’ve already found that LTE is eons (or so it feels) away, we’re just taking things in stride. The MSV prototype shown above will purportedly become a proud member of the L-Series, and its satellite / cellular hybrid system will enable it to play nice on traditional cell bands as well as snag sat coverage anywhere in North America. Apparently the firm is planning on shooting up a pair of birds in 2009 as well as landing a deal with an undisclosed US carrier, and the 0.6-inch thick unit itself should feature a 480 x 320 multi-touch screen, WiFi and an integrated camera. No word on a price just yet, but feel free to check back in a few years.
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Posted in prototype, ctia, Lost, ctia 2008, Ctia2008, l-series, MSV, sat phone, satellite phone, SatellitePhone, SatPhone | No Comments »
