A gadget for text messaging within a 50 mile radius without telecom service is reportedly recording a spike in interest around the world.
The mobile accessory, called GoTenna, lets the user communicate via Bluetooth without cell service. It has taken off with Bitcoin enthusiasts, partly because it protect user’s privacy.
Industry experts are reportedly already saying that if developed well to allow communication with a wider radius, GoTenna could deal a further blow to SMS, which is already losing grounds to OTT (over the top) web messaging apps like Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook, Tango and other.
GoTenna designer, Daniel Levy is a Web developer living in the Puna District of Hawaii, where he had to live through a 12-day blackout after a rather vicious hurricane earlier this summer.
Many residents in his community were stuck powerless, while other used solar energy until the local utility company restored the grid. It was after that, Levy said he sought a solution and came upon GoTenna.
The device is a small Bluetooth-enabled rod packed to the brim with modern radio innards. It allows the user to send message to a compatible device which is up to 50miles away from the when it is.