First Look: New Affordable and Pocket-Sized Satellite Hotspot

The upstart brand Smartwear has created a pocket-sized and lightweight satellite hotspot that can connect from anywhere in the world to send and receive text messages

Like other satellite hotspots, it can update users with location info, weather reports and alerts using an app on any Bluetooth-connected iOS or Android smartphone.

In case of an emergency, you can transmit an SOS message directly through the device without a phone.

We haven’t had the chance to take one out into the mountains yet, Somewear tested the IPx7 waterproof device all over the world.

According to Smartwear, the device’s rechargeable lithium polymer battery reportedly can last for up to 1,000 text messages.

It will cost around $500 and comes with different data subscriptions staring around $20/month.

Here’s to ? thank you’s! We just crossed 100% on Kickstarter and couldn’t have gotten there without you guys. We’re so grateful for the support and can’t wait to ship these bad boys out to you this summer! Check the link in the bio if you’re still looking to get a Somewear Hotspot by this summer!

A post shared by Somewear (@somewearlabs) on Apr 6, 2018 at 4:26pm PDT

This device is smaller and competitively priced with Garmin’s InReach or the Iridium GO! offerings and is capable of much more than a simple SPOT device.

“Somewear basically turns your cell phone into a global communication device,” said pro mountaineer Jeremy Jones in a press release.

“In my profession, you learn quickly that if something goes wrong in the mountains you need reliable communication with emergency responders. Cell phones rarely work in the mountains, which is why Somewear has become a critical part of my backcountry kit.”

For more info visit the Kickstarter page here.