Engadget - FreedomPop's made a name for itself by selling cases that enable iPod Touch users to get at least 500MB of data each month for free, and now the company has partnered with TextPlus to give users the ability to send SMS messages as well.
ArsTechnica: FreedomPop, a cellular hotspot company that lures customers with free, entry-level data packages, is getting into the smartphone business. The company announced today that it's launching a mobile phone service in which the entry-level package costs nothing and includes 500MB of data, 500 text messages, and 200 anytime voice minutes. Anything beyond that requires payment of usage fees. The company is calling this first offering a "beta" and will take signups at FreedomPop.com/phone.
Bloomberg-"FreedomPop Inc., backed by Skype co- founder Niklas Zennstrom, is starting a free wireless Internet service for the home that will compete with Web connections from telephone and cable companies."
GigaOM - VP of marketing Tony Miller said that FreedomPop still plans to launch late this summer or in early fall with Clearwire-powered WiMAX modems and its even more anticipated WiMAX sleeve, which fits over the iPhone 4 and 4S. “We’re going to launch with Clearwire, but we’ll be live with Sprint by the end of the year,” Miller said.
