WTF IS SONNET?

I think I’ve seen one of these used in a game of hexagonal hockey.

You’re thinking of the pointy puck. While this disc does bear a passing resemblance, it’s more about sticking with you than being hit with a stick. Ever been at a festival with a 4G connection, only to find you can’t do anything online? It’s a common problem and it’s caused by the way traditional mobile networks work – like you and five of your housemates crowding around the tap all trying to get water at the same time.

I’ve actually got quite a big sink.

Bet you don’t have a big aerial mast, though. In any case, Sonnet does things differently. This Kickstarter-funded lump uses a process called crowdconnecting to deliver data and reception, even when you’re in the back of beyond. Connect your smartphone to the weatherproof puck via Wi-fi and Sonnet becomes a signal base station. Users can then connect securely using their own Sonnet from up to 5km away – a distance achieved through the use of low-frequency, long-range radio waves, much like the humble walkie-talkie.

So I can fire up my old CB radio?

Not quite, but if you’ve mates with an array of Sonnets you could end up with a mesh network that allows you to connect no matter where in the world you are – and to relay data much further, using each Sonnet as a range-extender. Bandwidth is limited, so you probably won’t be watching Game of Thrones in Nepal – but with enough Sonnets it should deliver sufficient signal to text your mum or, you know, call for help.

I won’t be able to study for my geography exam, then?

On the contrary, offline maps are built in for geo-location, as well as an SOS mode that pings your co-ordinates to all nearby Sonnet users. Worried that your off-grid gurning is being routed through a ruffian’s phone? All messages besides distress calls are end-to-end encrypted, so you needn’t worry about your wilderness snaps falling into the wrong hands.