A truly connected world is possible especially in this day and age of computers, smartphones, and the Internet. Access may be limited but everyone in the world can be “wired”. It may be different and a bit challenging in some countries but there are people and groups who want to make a better world by coming up with technologies and innovations that are very useful.
Trust the geeks and geniuses to come up with new gadgets and services that will make our lives better. Take for example the goTenna Team, a group who turned to Kickstarter for funding with the goTenna Mesh. The new project is aiming to raise $150,000 but with 28 days to go before deadline, the goal amount is almost hit. Over 700 people have already pledged their support for the project, perhaps believing the goTenna Mesh is worthy to go into production.
goTenna Mesh is a device that can pair with your smartphone to enable communication. Even when you are off-the-grid or out of network range, you can still connect to the outside world. You can communicate with other goTenna Mesh devices to share GPS locations and send messages even sans the networks, satellites, or routers.
This one sounds like a dream but its developers made it possible by connecting those little goTenna Mesh devices. The idea is: the more devices and more people are joining the network, the better and more stronger the connection becomes. It’s best for crowded places where Internet or cellular connectivity may be loaded or for outdoors where connectivity is limited.
goTenna Mesh uses special protocols so you can connect with other goTenna Mesh users. You can broadcast your location, start group chats, or send private messages within the goTenna Mesh network. The technology takes advantage of good old radio tech plus your current smartphone.
The goTenna Mesh team also introduced a software development kit for this concept. The SDK is expected to allow developers to “use goTenna hardware and protocols to transmit small bursts of secure data, at long ranges, completely off-grid”. The technology certainly has potential because it’s really plain and simple. It’s something that even health tech companies and the US Air Force are testing within their industries.
A pair of goTenna Mesh costs $129 which you can now pre-order on Kickstarter. It will be sold for $179 once it’s launched commercially. There’s an optional annual subscription worth $9.99 for the whole year. That’s for the first year alone and after that, it will be $29.99.
SOURCE: Kickstarter
