You won’t necessarily need to upgrade your phone if you want to connect to a satellite in an emergency, thanks to a new gadget from HMD.
It’s no good getting lost if you don’t have a way back, but recent developments in phone technology mean your mobile devices can help. The iPhone’s addition of satellite technology is one such idea, but it’s not something every phone owner can take advantage of.
Over at CES 2025, it seems as though HMD is thinking about making satellite technology in reach of more users, whether they’re an iPhone owner or even an Android owner.
The idea comes in the form of a gadget HMD calls “OffGrid”, a small 60 gram gadget that offers satellite connectivity with a 24/7 emergency response, up to three days of battery life, and military-grade durability.
The OffGrid allows iPhone and Android owners to connect to satellites by way of the OffGrid, connecting by messaging and offering live tracking, depending on an associated plan.
The gadget itself will need a plan, either either a one year plan at $112.99 for a “freedom” plan with 350 text messages, live tracking, and unlimited check-ins, while an “unlimited” plan will cost $240 for unlimited messaging and check-ins, with live tracking a monthly fee.
The technology is a bit of an extra, working alongside a phone, but it needs one of those plans alongside its outright price, launching in Australia for $329 in February.
It’s one approach that could save people getting lost, and won’t need a new phone update in the process.
