Video Hands-on with EB Satellite/Terrestial Phone

Until now satellite phones have been anything but sleek and have lacked any sort of data capability (with the rare exception of text messaging). EB is changing all that with its reference PDA phone design, which will ride on TerreStar’s powerful satellite IP-based network when it launches toward the end of 2009.

We’re talking about a device that’s not much thicker and heavier than a Samsung BlackJack, and it’s chockfull of high-end features. Plus, you will be able to roam on AT&T and be able to get satellite coverage over a hundred miles off shore. Try doing that with your typical smart phone.

EB is targeting government customers and first responders, as well as the financial industry. But well-to-do consumers will also want to take a look at this device when it becomes available, especially those that are into outdoor activities. During our brief hands-on we liked the feel of the QWERTY keyboard, which had little raised dots, and the 2.6-inch touch display was bright and crisp. Other features include Wi-Fi, GPS, a side microSD card slot, and a 3-MP camera.

But in the end it will be all about how good the voice and data performance is over TerreStar’s network. EB expects 1.3 hours of talk time over satellite, and 64Kbps data speeds, which isn’t too bad. E-mail should be fine. And next to an antenna you’ll get over 500Kbps. We look forward to seeing which OEMs and ODMs pick up this reference design.