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KnowRoaming offers free WhatsApp use around the world
KnowRoaming's SIM card and sticker were designed to help frequent travelers save money by connecting to local networks. This latest feature stays true to that mission. You'll now be able to use WhatsApp for free around the world (the service works in 142 countries) if you use any of the company's products. KnowRoaming swears there's no catch -- you're not required to buy credit to be able to use the feature, and sending messages isn't the only thing you can do for free. You can make voice or video calls and send images at no charge, as well.
KnowRoaming's money-saving sticker SIM goes hardware-free
KnowRoaming's magical SIM sticker auto-detected when your phone was working outside its home territory, switching to local carriers and saving you a bunch of money in the process. What's smaller than a sticker that goes on your existing SIM card, though? No sticker at all. in a collaboration with Alcatel (and TCL), it's announced a Soft SIM software platform, which sounds duller than it actually is. In short, it means no SIM tinkering necessary, and your phone will automatically link up with whatever network it needs to deliver voice, data and SMS services.
KnowRoaming sticker SIMs can now help more people avoid roaming charges
Remember KnowRoaming? That seemingly magical sticker SIM supposed to be attached on top of your usual one, so you can avoid expensive roaming charges? It's finally available for purchase. KnowRoaming works with a GSM Android, iPhone or Windows mobile device and connects you to a local carrier as soon as leave your home country (where it stays dormant) and enter another one. We first heard of it in 2013, when the startup was trying to raise money for production through a KickStarter campaign. It started shipping kits to its backers in February this year while it was still in beta, but after 12 months of testing, it's now ready for a wider release.
KnowRoaming review: This SIM 'sticker' makes it easy for travelers to save on data
Thanks in no small part to T-Mobile's free global data initiative, US carriers have begun to lighten the fee load when it comes time to roam. But you'll still pay an arm and a leg in many countries, and discounted plans from AT&T and Verizon, while more reasonable than they once were, require a monthly subscription that can be a hassle to add and remove. If you're expecting to use gobs of data abroad, KeepGo's disposable-SIM program is probably your best bet, but an intriguing alternative from KnowRoaming will keep leisure travelers and other casual users connected in 220 countries without the need to worry about coming home to an enormous bill. That solution, an incredibly thin card with passthrough leads and an adhesive back, simply sits atop your existing SIM, springing into action whenever you arrive in a foreign country. Join me as I travel to Europe and beyond to see how well this sticker works.
KnowRoaming's international sticker SIMs begin shipping to backers today
KnowRoaming, the company behind the roaming SIM "stickers" that popped up on Kickstarter last year, has begun shipping its device to the first 500 backers. The $35 pre-order kit, which includes a SIM sticker and a single-use applicator, enables international roaming at rates far lower than what you'd normally get with your carrier (unless, of course, you're using a Simple Choice plan with free global data from T-Mobile). What makes KnowRoaming unique, however, is a design that integrates with your existing SIM. Once you attach the sticker to your carrier-issued card, your unlocked smartphone will detect when you've traveled abroad, switching your device over to a partner network. Current rates range from 13 cents per MB of data, 9 cents per minute of talk time and 16 cents per text in the UK, to a whopping $34.80 per MB, 27 cents per minute and $1.07 per SMS in Chad (though most countries offer tariffs at the cheaper end of the spectrum). CEO Gregory Gundelfinger plans to ship between 25 and 50 sets each day, so if your sticker isn't in this initial batch, you can expect to have it at your door soon. Update: KnowRoaming is currently in beta, and while data may work all the time, you should expect to experience some hiccups. If you absolutely need to be connected during your travels, we'd recommend using a service like Keepgo, which we've found to be both affordable and reliable, especially if you plan to consume large amounts of data.
KnowRoaming to start shipping international 'sticker' SIMs soon
Frequent travelers who pre-ordered KnowRoaming's SIM stickers last year might finally be able to get their purchases as soon as next week. According to the company, it'll start sending out the first units to early adopters on February 5th, months after the original December shipping date. As its name implies, KnowRoaming's SIM sticker is a thin film that adheres to regular SIM cards. It can, in theory, automatically switch travelers' connections to local networks when they cross borders, thereby avoiding roaming charges. The firm hasn't revealed a retail availability yet, but at the rate things are going, it may be best not to hold your breath.
Insert Coin: KnowRoaming's SIM 'stickers' let you talk, text and surf worldwide on the cheap
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. You still can't power on your smartphone across the pond in London and expect to pay the same fees you do back in New York, but several offerings make it cheaper to get online across the globe. One of our favorites, KeepGo (formerly iPhoneTrip), has been our preferred method for browsing the web in Canada, Cambodia, and everywhere in between. But daily rates do add up, and that service requires that you swap in a separate SIM, tucking your primary card away until you're back on your contracted network's home turf. KnowRoaming, a new player in this space, has an even more appealing option, however. That firm's SIM "stickers" include all the electronics in a thin film that you can attach to any SIM card using the included applicator. The sticker sits dormant in your unlocked phone when you're at home, but once you cross a border, the service prompts you to jump onto a local network, bypassing your original SIM in the process.
