ABOUT

What is it?

THINGCONNECT is a new service which lets you connect your "Internet-of-Things" project to the world. It's secure, world-wide, and works anywhere a cell phone works. In many cases, it is also the most cost-effective way to connect an IoT device. Become a beta tester, get gear and get started!

 

 

 
 
THINGCONNECT keeps an IoT gadget connected to the Internet, no matter where the gadget is.

THINGCONNECT keeps an IoT gadget connected to the Internet, no matter where the gadget is.

Why do I need it?

Imagine you and your 12-year-old engineer are building a bicycle tracker. She and you specify what the gadget will look like and what it will do:

  • A blinking box that mounts to the handlebars
  • At home on the computer, it shows a pin on Google Maps, where the bicycle is

Then, you discuss what materials are needed:

  • Arduino
  • GPS
  • Battery
  • …. but how will it send its location?

When building a go-anywhere, internet-connected gadget, you need wireless service. THINGCONNECT is this kind of service, specially made for projects like the bicycle tracker, and many others. See our tutorials below, and sign up to join the beta test.

 

features

  • Guaranteed speed - A THINGCONNECT message goes from your device to the phone company to you in a predictable manner. Unlike a regular text message which is "stored and forwarded" (sometimes takes minutes, or even hours.) Plus a THINGCONNECT message is about 1/20th the cost!
  • Secure - Phone companies use the same type of messages to manage your phone.
  • World-wide - THINGCONNECT offer the same terms, functionality and price all over the globe.
  • Efficient - Using a very light-weight protocol called USSD, THINGCONNECT  is more efficient than SMS or GPRS "Data".
All the early testing of THINGCONNECT was done using the super-well-documented Adafruit FONA (more info here).

All the early testing of THINGCONNECT was done using the super-well-documented Adafruit FONA (more info here).

 

How does it work?

You save money, and communicate securely with no hassle because THINGCONNECT SIM card does not need a phone number, or a voice, text or data plan. This is what makes it unique. THINGCONNECT service uses a data channel normally only used by the telephone company to update and manage your phone. A gadget you build can send a secure, low-latency message every 5 to 10 seconds, and one message carries up to 160 bytes of information. This is why THINGCONNECT is efficient, secure and future-proof. See real-world examples below.

Through a close relationship with a US wireless telephone company which has connectivity throughout the globe, we've come up with this unique service. The same way a telephone company administers its clients' phones, you can now connect to your GSM-enabled device. Find out how it's done, and join our beta test below.