Karma: Social WiFi
 

There's a new device I just got that has earned a permanent place in my bag for traveling (along with one of its competitors that I won't name). It's called Karma, and it's a new WiFi hotspot that lets you earn data for sharing your hotspot. Here's how it works:

1. Register at Your Karma (it uses facebook)
2. Order a Karma Hotspot ($79)
3. Share your Hotspot (Free)
4. Profit! (with free data!)

For every person that connects to your hotspot you get 100mb of free data, and so do they. Think about those instances where you can't find free WiFi in an airport and how easy getting free data would be (for both you and them). The data you earn never expires, and if you need more you can purchase it for $14/GB, and it too never expires, you keep it until you use it, unlike other services.

The device runs on Clearwire's 4G network, so the speed is actually faster than AT&T for me, which really isn't saying much. I got mine a couple of days ago and I love it.

What a unique concept. Ignoring the free 100 mb blocks the $14/gb not expiring can work for many.

This part of their website made me laugh

Lisa arrives early to the gate to get some work done, but is struggling to find a Wi-Fi connection. Luckily, John sits down nearby with his Karma hotspot. As Lisa scrambles to find connection, she immediately sees John’s open Wi-Fi signal and connects.

Anybody who joins an unknown wifi connection at an airport and then fills out a registration form is probably asking for trouble.

You land on a splash screen, which then sends you to facebook to authenticate. It's really user friendly, even my gf could figure out how to connect, especially since facebook login integration is so easy if your facebook account is always logged in.

Karma: The Social WiFi
 

And soon, all your Facebook friends will be getting spammed and you will be auto- posting offensive videos

No thanks

Huh? :confused:

Facebook is simply used for a login, much like you can do here on FT. If you have your security settings set correctly, you will have nothing to worry about.

While I can understand you being skeptical about companies and facebook, your friends that end up spamming you are the ones you should be mad at for falling for it. No, WN is not going to give you two free tickets for Valentine's Day, don't click that!

This is just using the login information. Many sites use this now.

Karma: The Social WiFi
 

I have a bridge for you ;)

Uh huh....I'm lost.

Brilliant idea if it turns out to be legit but i'd never sign in using my facebook login.

You don't supply them with your facebook login. You login through facebook's site, just like when you login to FT with it.

facebook rolled out this whole protocol to use their accounts on other websites, Karma is just using this. FT does it, AOL does it on their blogs, newspapers do it, it's really not that uncommon at all.

Karma: The Social WiFi
 

Which is partly why folks generate spam from their FB accounts. FB does not offer this "service" just because they're sweethearts

No thanks

No offense, but I'm not getting into a debate on the feasibility of using the facebook login protocol for a service, and it's effect on the high school drop out next door spamming you because they clicked on some scam.

There are legitimate uses for it, and there are non-legitimate uses for it, just like everything.

---
This is a new and upcoming company. They're using facebook's protocol for their launch, but have made comments that they're exploring other options for login. This is just a good one for them to use because it keeps them from being scammed by someone setting up hundreds of fake email addresses to register for free data. Most people only have one facebook account, thus eliminating that problem.

Enjoy

I type my facebook credentials into their website. FB may well have set it up to allow them to do this, but no website that isnt www.facebook.com is getting my login details, and i suspect theres plenty of others who feel the same. They'll need more options to grow long term.

As i said, its a good idea.

This is a very legit company w/ serious backers. I'm sure they'll handle personal data just fine. I'm not sure how the model will work out for them, but I'd trust them based on the quality of their investors.
https://yourkarma.com/about

And you're technically being forwarded to facebook's website to input your credentials, so they're not skimming your password. Tin foil hats off for a moment :)

Karma: The Social WiFi
 

Until they change their privacy policies without warning

Of course I'm sure they'd never do that....