Being an adventuresome jungle explorer is all well in good, but what you and probably almost everyone else is aware, is that cellular reception isn’t always available. So if you’re ravaging through bush country but still want to be tech connected, do you buy an expensive Satellite phone or do you compromise for a service that connect to satellites to send a 41 character custom message via email or text.
“Simply pair your smartphone with SPOT Connect, and get connected to a global satellite network that lets you send messages and GPS coordinates from virtually anywhere on the planet. Update Twitter and Facebook. Send email and text messages. Request non-emergency help from professional service providers. And in the case of a critical emergency, send an SOS message requesting emergency assistance.”
The $170 device and $99 per year subscription service limits you to 41 characters of custom messaging or 120 characters of a predefined message, enough to send quick updates to those you love or your followers. More importantly if you’re stuck in a cave knee deep in guano you can transmit your GPS coordinates to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) and to Facebook and Twitter in case of an emergency.