Motorola and Bullitt Group have partnered to launch the new motorola defy range of rugged smartphones, which includes a satellite-to-mobile messaging service. The motorola defy satellite link is a Bluetooth device that provides satellite connectivity to any Android or iOS smartphone, allowing users to send and receive messages via satellite when traditional messaging coverage is unavailable.
The device is compact, lightweight, waterproof, and dustproof with a physical SOS and location ‘Check In’ button. It has passed Mil-Spec 810H testing and has a 600mAh battery, providing sufficient battery life for multiple days of use. The motorola defy satellite link will be available from April 2023 across international retailers according to the Bullit Group website.
The Motorola Defy range of rugged smartphones itself is also impressive, with features like drop protection up to 1.8 meters, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus display. The range is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor and has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The cameras on the devices are also noteworthy, with a 48-megapixel primary camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
While the Motorola Defy range is aimed at those who need a rugged smartphone for outdoor and work environments, it is interesting to compare it to the recently launched iPhone 14, which boasts a satellite-based emergency SOS service.
The iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature allows users to reach out to emergency services from just about anywhere on the planet – even when far away from cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature is a fallback emergency system, which only activates when the user has no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage available at all – from any carrier.
The feature is solely for emergency use, and the user won’t be able to make calls or send text messages without traditional cellular connectivity. The feature is unlikely to be used often, but it is reassuring for those who find themselves in remote or off-grid locations.
It is interesting to note that the iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature is limited to emergency use only, while the Motorola Defy satellite link provides a more comprehensive satellite-to-mobile messaging service for everyday use.
