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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:09PM
but can it move the island?
Lowest Ranked @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:50PM
We have to get to higher ground first, in order to triangulate the signal.
Josh @ Sep 22nd 2008 5:36PM
stupid picture got changed...now all the lost references are...uhhh, well, lost
Patriks7 @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:10PM
That phone in the picture is such an iPhone rip-off
I mean look! It has a touchscreen!
Seth @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:15PM
please remember to use the /s switch at the bottom of your comments - the site is filled with idiots who don't comprehend sarcasm
phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:16PM
what's worse: a troll or a troll imitating a troll? the world may never know.
mackid105 @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:26PM
you sir fail for even suggesting something from Lost is a knock-off of an Apple product
Derek @ Sep 22nd 2008 4:39PM
Well, it DOES use the iCal icon...
WixosTrix @ Sep 22nd 2008 4:59PM
@ Derek
well then i can also be a Tilt rip off...look at the live messenger icon
White @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:12PM
This brings back memories...
*runs to the tv and watches Lost
vypergts @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:34PM
Memories? Hell it's the wallpaper on my lg voyager right now!
From My Cube @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:19PM
not mentioned are the outrageous charges carriers will charge you to use the service
Jash Sayani @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:25PM
Connecting to Satellite....
All Satellites are busy. Please try after some time. Thank You.
TareX @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:27PM
Naomi was good...
phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:32PM
i was more pissed off they killed Ana Maria. she was sultry.
although i heard she was a Queen Diva on the set...
but i still can't figure out why they killed Hugo's love interest... they never explained the loose end of why she was in the same mental ward! damn fickle writers and viewers
absinthe party @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:37PM
*Ana Lucia.
y3k.nik @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:41PM
If you think that is the only loose end in that series.. you sir are lost!
Lowest Ranked @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:55PM
Lowest Ranked,
Your Welcome
**Spoiler Alert**
For those of you who read from the bottom of the page up
Dear,
phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:00PM
dudeman, they're like spoilers from the second season; if you've held out this long it's like asking people not to reveal Bruce Willis is dead in 6th Sense
TareX @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:10PM
@ phanbouy
If they hadn't killed Anna Lucia, I would have snuck into the set myself and had the job done. Couldn't stand her, with that mannish insecurity and paranoia.
And on a second note: BRUCE WILLIS WAS DEAD ALL THE TIME!?!?!?!?!? WHYYY??? I WAS JUST IN THE LAST 15 MINS IN THE MOVIE AFTER HEARING ABOUT IT FROM MY FRIENDS!! THEY WARNED ME ABOUT SPOILERS!! DAMN YOU!! WHY DID I HAVE TO CHECK A TECH BLOG JUST BEFORE THE MOVIE ENDED??
And I'm out.
vijay @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:30PM
Now we have something interesting you got your signals emitting from satellite not from your nearest building tower, so does that mean you will need a huge instrument to communicate? what will happen to the current carriers? You dont need a gps system any more if this is connected to the satellite as it knows where you are? You can still make calls while in the plane? For security will there be any Jammers available for such a thing not to be functional in a security zone? Folks tell me what could be the best take aways if its price is as iPhone suppose?
http://www.dabberdesign.com
-
iEye @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:41PM
Can you hear me n... oh wait...
Malikye @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:44PM
You're in the "Dead Zone"
vicvega @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:06PM
looks like it can reach naomi's boat
phil @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:10PM
This isn't a new device. Qualcomm has the GSP 1600 phone out in the world already: satellite, analogue cell, and CDMA:
http://www.bythom.com/globalstar.htm
It's out of date and it's hooked into Globalstar, whose satellite system is failing:
http://www.globalstarusa.com/en/news/update.php
I guess Qualcomm is trying again with a new satellite company. I wish them the best, but it will be years before the system is fully available.
phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:19PM
them's are great facts and all but what does this have to do with Lost? ;P
Ryan @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:44PM
Looks like Naomi needed to visit Happy Nails and Feet.
Five dollah, make you hollah.
Malikye @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:52PM
oops, they changed the picture on us. now it has nothing to do with Lost
PJLarabell @ Sep 22nd 2008 4:46PM
wow I am a fucking idiot... just ignore the previous comment
phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 5:04PM
well it's cool you traveled back in time to warn us, but you should've said "subsequent" not "previous"
PJLarabell @ Sep 22nd 2008 4:47PM
what kind of phone is that???
Robert @ Sep 22nd 2008 7:22PM
That dude needs a serious manicure..
iKrolm @ Sep 22nd 2008 7:28PM
seriously, a 'yahoo' icon?
Tom @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:40AM
That was actually Sayid's hands not Naomi's :)
Aliem @ Sep 23rd 2008 7:20PM
I took a survey about this a few days ago. It seems like it will be nice, but I didn't quite like the pricing structure.