The tech giant has announced that it is making its mobile network available to all users in the United States.
Google has now announced that it is making its mobile network, Project Fi, available to everyone in the United States that is a user of the Nexus models of smartphone.
The idea is that the devices can connect to Google’s cellular networks and WiFi hotspots through T-Mobile and Sprint.
The Project Fi connections can be used for text, voice and data services. In this way, mobile device users are able to send and receive tests and phone calls, even when connected exclusively to WiFi. The service also provides comparable pricing structures to those available through more traditional mobile networks. There is an up-front fee of $20 for users to be able to take advantage of unlimited domestic calling and unlimited international texting.
Before now, Project Fi had been available only to those who were directly invited to use it.
For another $10, users can purchase another GB of data. Users can purchase as many $10 one gig data increases as they want and any unused data will be credited back to their account at the end of the month, so it won’t be lost.
According to the service’s product manager, Simon Arscott, “this mobile network service was first launched exclusively to those who received invitations as a part of their Early Access program. This allowed the company to fine tune its quality in time for its full launch to all American consumers. “Today, we’re excited to be exiting our invitation-only mode and opening up Project Fi so that people across the U.S. can now sign up for service without having to wait in line for an invite,” he said.
That said, it is important to note that only certain tablets and smartphones can connect to the Project Fi network. It may not be in invitation-only mode but Americans can use it only if they have the right devices. Certain tablets can connect, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Air 2 can connect exclusively to the data portion of the service. Talk and Text are available to people with a Nexus smartphone such as the 5X or 6P.
INSIDE Secure, a mobile security firm, has launched a new platform called VaultSecure that will help consumers manage multiple mobile wallet applications on their smart phone or tablet. The company believes that the VaultSecure platform will help transform the mobile commerce industry. INSIDE Secure suggests that this will be the first time that smart phone makers, network operators, and others in the telecommunications industry will be able to share a secure element on a single mobile device.
Days of clashing mobile commerce applications may be history
Before VaultSecure, smart phones were only capable of supporting a single mobile commerce application without trouble. Multiple applications on a single device would often cause problems due to the clashing security features they have in place. In some cases, multiple mobile commerce applications could actually make financial information more vulnerable, thus leading many mobile network operators to favor a particular platform over others. This has led to severe fragmentation within the mobile commerce market.
Platform allows various applications to coexist on a single device
This fragmentation can be seen all over the world. In the U.S., Google, Isis, and the newly formed Merchant Customer Exchange, are all vying for the affection of consumers and businesses interested in mobile commerce. Through SecureVault, the applications coming from these groups can coexist on a single mobile device, each able to access a consumer’s financial information independently. The platform will also encrypt this information for each of the mobile commerce applications, adding an extra layer of protection against malicious attacks.
Competition may prove to fierce for VaultSecure to find traction
INSIDE Secure will be selling VaultSecure to makers of smart phones and tablets. These companies will then have to work with the various companies involved in mobile commerce to incorporate the platform. Given the highly competitive nature of the burgeoning mobile commerce industry, it may be difficult to convince companies that having their platform exist alongside that of their competitors as a sound business move.
cations to coexist on a single device