I was reading the tech section of the New York Times and came across this gadget that allows you to access free WiFi on a pay as you go deal. No contracts, no monthly plan that charges you whether you use GB or not, and any GB / MB data you don't use rolls over to the next month. Its called KARMA


The catch, you purchase the device above for $79.00 (free shipping) which includes 1GB ($14.00) of free wifi. Karma is an open network, people can tap into (when they sign up via your Karma hotspot) your hotspot, but for each person who piggy backs via your network, you earn 100MB of data added to your account. So in theory you may never have to purchase GB /MB to access your Karma hotspot; I said, in theory. You pay as you go, so for example $14 bucks gives you 1 GB of data, you could purchase 4GB for $56 bucks. What does 1 GB give you?

Send and recieve 500 emails... with 2mb attachments

Watch 50 4 minute high quality video clips

Listen to 8 hours of music

Checkout 1000 webpages.

Here's a link to more info and all the particulars.

The New York Times article

Gadgetwise

What I find cool about this is if you own a Apple or Android Wifi devices and find yourself stuck somewhere there's no free access to wifi, this device can be used to access the Internet. On Karma's website they have Coverage tab that allows you to enter a zip code to see if their services are available in that area. Needless to say they have plans to expand their network access. I shall see.

Needless to say this portable Internet devices /services are located in metropolitan cities... I'll assume the have plans to expand their serves beyond major cities. But these types of devices can be partical for travel. Here are some other alternatives to what Karma offers... I went with Karma and I'll give a review when I recieve it. They don't have a hotspot in St. Joe so I'll have to test it when I'm in Chicago.

Clear / Clear

Freedompop

Fon works on a little bit different principle, you give up a little bit of your WiFi, in-return to be able to access free WiFi around the world. FON

You no longer have to sign up via Facebook (because I don't do FB) anymore, an email address for Karma will do. Now on sale over at Amazon , Karma that is.