New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip

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.

New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip

[psyclotron Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:09PM]

but can it move the island?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:50PM]

We have to get to higher ground first, in order to triangulate the signal.

[OriginalJosh Posted Sep 22nd 2008 5:36PM]

stupid picture got changed...now all the lost references are...uhhh, well, lost

[Raul7 Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:10PM]

That phone in the picture is such an iPhone rip-off
I mean look! It has a touchscreen!

[Setesh Posted 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

[psyclotron Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:16PM]

what's worse: a troll or a troll imitating a troll? the world may never know.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:26PM]

you sir fail for even suggesting something from Lost is a knock-off of an Apple product

[derekwilkinson Posted Sep 22nd 2008 4:39PM]

Well, it DOES use the iCal icon...

[WixosTrix Posted Sep 22nd 2008 4:59PM]

@ Derek

well then i can also be a Tilt rip off...look at the live messenger icon

[Whyte Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:12PM]

This brings back memories...

*runs to the tv and watches Lost

[vypergts Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:34PM]

Memories? Hell it's the wallpaper on my lg voyager right now!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:06PM]

looks like it can reach naomi's boat

[From My Cube Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:19PM]

not mentioned are the outrageous charges carriers will charge you to use the service

[jashsayani Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:25PM]

Connecting to Satellite....
All Satellites are busy. Please try after some time. Thank You.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:27PM]

Naomi was good...

[psyclotron Posted 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

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:37PM]

*Ana Lucia.

[y3knik Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:41PM]

If you think that is the only loose end in that series.. you sir are lost!

[(Unverified) Posted 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,

[psyclotron Posted 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

[(Unverified) Posted 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.

[(Unverified) Posted 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

-

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:41PM]

Can you hear me n... oh wait...

[Malikye Posted Sep 22nd 2008 2:44PM]

You're in the "Dead Zone"

[(Unverified) Posted 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.

[psyclotron Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:19PM]

them's are great facts and all but what does this have to do with Lost? ;P

[robertgmartin Posted Sep 22nd 2008 7:22PM]

That dude needs a serious manicure..

[ikrolm Posted Sep 22nd 2008 7:28PM]

seriously, a 'yahoo' icon?

[Ryan Deen Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:44PM]

Looks like Naomi needed to visit Happy Nails and Feet.

Five dollah, make you hollah.

[Malikye Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:52PM]

oops, they changed the picture on us. now it has nothing to do with Lost

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 4:47PM]

what kind of phone is that???

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 4:46PM]

wow I am a fucking idiot... just ignore the previous comment

[psyclotron Posted 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"

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2008 3:40AM]

That was actually Sayid's hands not Naomi's :)

[Stryfe01 Posted 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.