Many thanks for this surprising news! How great is this! I hope dcr has already tested it and is releasing a review very soon.

Dcr hands on details:

www.dcrainmaker.com/.../garmin-inreach-messenger-satellite-communicator-hands-on-details.html

when I read that the device must be paired with an app in order to be able to send an sos, I had to declare this as useless gadget

You can also sent a SOS without a connected phone/app directly via the messenger

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-5919E4DF-BE2C-4897-AE03-3BF5B0AD3ACA/EN-US/GUID-F0FE98CC-2639-4E05-9653-D77E97346B89-homepage.html

Initiating an SOS Rescue

You can initiate an SOS rescue with the device turned on or off if the device has battery power.

1. Lift the protective cap from the SOS button .
   
   
2. Press and hold the SOS button.
3. Wait for the SOS countdown.

   The device sends a default message to the emergency response service with details about your location.

4. Reply to the confirmation message from the emergency response service.

   Your reply lets the emergency response service know that you are capable of interacting with them during the rescue. If you do not reply, the emergency response service will still initiate a rescue.

For the first 10 minutes of your rescue, an updated location is sent to the emergency response service every minute. To conserve battery power after the first 10 minutes, an updated location is sent every 10 minutes.

TIP: You can also initiate an SOS rescue and interact with the Garmin^® IERCC using the Garmin Messenger app. You must have an active satellite subscription to use the SOS feature in the app.

At least with regard to sent track points, iR messages, and SOS, the device is fully functional without the app. At least, that's the way I understand it.

This is false, where did you read this?

Just like on the Mini/2, you can do everything from the small screen and 3-button interface. You can also do the supported subset from an inReach compatible watch.

Compared to the Mini/2 it seems to have the same inReach features (and the Messenger app - which is great). It has much more limited mapping and tracking features though, basically limited to TracBack. No mapping/course/activity. It doesn't have a (real) compass either.

What is your kind of use for the messenger? If you are going out for a hike etc, I assume you have a wearable/handheld/paper map with you for navigation/orientation or are you using only your phone with an outdoor app? Thanks

Mostly 1-day or 2-day hikes / camping and other activities (snowshoeing, kayaking) outside of cell phone range. I am also using it while driving in the boonies to said activities. For that, the new seamless Messenger app is a big deal as it's common to go in and out of cell phone coverage.

I actually switched my primary nav device from my phone (66i as backup) to an Epix 2. Now, phone is backup / big screen and I rarely pull it out.

So I am switching from (cell phone + 66i) => (Epix 2 + Messenger + cell phone). Still on the fence on Messenger vs. Mini 2, but Messenger is it for now. The nav capabilities of the Mini 2 are not useful for me (already have 2 nav devices), so it's more of a form factor and mounting question.