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Twitter Gets Satellite Access

Posted by timothy on Sunday February 12, 2012 @08:47PM from the how-to-monetize-per-country-filtering dept.

jimboh2k writes "Satellite operators Iridium and Thuraya have signed on to provide access for Twitter users outside of normal mobile coverage. The service acts like the SMS function already available on the social network, allowing users to tweet during emergencies."

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obligatory relevant xkcd: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-12 21:04 · Score: 5, Funny

http://xkcd.com/723/
@sahara by arcite · 2012-02-12 21:11 · Score: 5, Funny

@sahara, flat tire, canteen empty, delirious, to follow mirage, please feed Rex.
Re:Okay. by Zorque · 2012-02-12 21:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

In many cases it's been a very useful tool for warning others about impending emergencies, or about letting the outside world know what's going on. It may not get you the help you need but it could save others from having to do the same.
@us_sub by SpaceCracker · 2012-02-12 21:58 · Score: 5, Funny

@us_sub, just launched icbm + nuclear warhead. more info on wikileaks.

--
sigo ergo sum
Re:Okay. by pla · 2012-02-12 23:38 · Score: 5, Interesting

Yeah, that's the first thing I think about in an emergency. Logging on to twitter and posting some bullshit. How useful.

Well, I suppose that counts as the obvious symmetry to the jackasses who, watching someone burn to death in a wrecked car, will whip out their cell phones - Not for anything so mundane as calling for (never mind actually trying to) help, mind you, but to record it for YouTube.

We've become a society of narcissists and voyeurs. Welcome to the dawning of a new age.