The Bullitt Group, known for building ruggedized phones, is on a mission to build devices that allow their users to send and receive messages anywhere thanks to the advent of direct-to-satellite communication. This can be done with the new Motorola Defy 2 and the Cat S75 that we talked about in the other post. Additionally, users can also grab the Motorola Defy Satellite Link device which gives any Android and iOS device the ability to communicate in the wilderness.
Motorola Defy 2
We’ll start with the Defy 2, a rugged 5G smartphone. It has been tested to withstand drops onto steel plate up to 1.8m/6ft, can spend up to 24 hours in extreme temperatures (-30°C/-22°F to 75°C/167°F) and can withstand humid environments, including salt spray. While you’re on the go, your phone is protected by its special antimicrobial coating with silver ions. Once you get home, you can wash your phone with soap and disinfectant.
The Moto phone is powered by a Dimensity 930 chipset with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you can add more using the microSD slot. It runs on Android 12 out of the box and will be updated to version 13 and later v14. It will receive quarterly security updates for the first 3 years, then receive emergency SMR updates for another 2 years.
The 6.6-inch display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. It is a 20:9 FHD+ panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The touchscreen can be operated with gloves and wet fingers. At the top is an 8 MP selfie camera, the fingerprint reader is on the back.
Also on the back is a 50 MP (f/1.8) main camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle module and a 2 MP macro camera. The phone is powered by a 5,000mAh non-removable battery, which can be recharged at 15W via cable, Qi charging is also supported.
Soon you’ll be able to text anyone (they’ll receive it as an SMS) from anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Each message is up to 140 bytes long and supports Unicode, meaning all writing systems are covered. You can also attach your location to the message. People can receive your messages without any special equipment or software, although if they want to reply, they’ll need to download a free Android/iOS app.
The Bullitt-powered satellite messaging system can send and receive messages virtually anywhere
Services start at $5/€5 a month, this basic plan allows you to send up to 30 messages. There’s also a premium plan for $30/€30 that lets you send up to 400 messages a month. Plus, you get free SOS support for 12 months. The service will cover Europe and North America in the first quarter. It will then expand into the ANZ region, Africa and Latin America by mid-year. More regions will be included later this year.
What if you want to continue using your current phone and only use satellite messaging occasionally? That’s what the Motorola Defy Satellite Link is for. It’s a small, portable device that can be clipped to your backpack and controlled via Bluetooth using your phone. It is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance and has also undergone MIL-STD-810H testing
The Link is quite small, measuring 70 x 50 x 11mm and weighing 70g. It is powered by a 600mAh battery, which should last for several days. Even if you lose your phone, you can still use the SOS button. The automatic check-in of the location is indicated by one of the LEDs.
The Motorola Defy 2 will be available in the second quarter from select carriers in North and South America. It will start at $12, which includes 12 months of SOS Assist.
The Motorola Defy Satellite Link will be available internationally from April 2023. The device alone costs $100, or you can get it for $150 with a 12-month subscription to the Essentials Messaging plan (up to 30 two-way messages per month). check MotorolaRugged.com for details.
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