GoTenna | Send and Receive SMS Without a Cell Tower

Startup GoTenna  has launched its eponymously named device, which lets users send and receive encrypted text messages without the need for a cell tower. The device uses BlueTooth LE to pair with a user's smartphone.

GoTenna pairs with an iOS 7 and higher or Android 4.x and higher device via Bluetooth low energy. Its app will automatically continue to try and send a message until successful and will notify users when a message has been sent. It is possible to send group messages, to send encrypted and "self-destructing" messages to maintain privacy and to "shout" broadcasts to anyone within range.

The GoTenna enables individual and group messaging, lets users "shout" broadcasts to anyone within range, and has an emergency chat feature. The latter two features employ unencrypted messages. It saves messages received when the user's smartphone is turned off.

A GoTenna can be connected only to one smartphone. Stored messages are deleted automatically if another smartphone tries to connect to it, which is a safety feature.

-TNW