Wi-Fi hotspot maker Karma Mobility will this fall unveil a specialized version[1] of its KarmaGo hotspot device that includes built-in security features, including support for private anonymous browsing through Tor, an integrated VPN, black listing, and ad blocking. For customers, the promise is a device that encrypts your web activity, hides your physical location and identity, and adds protection against invasive advertising and malware, among other things.
To what extent this will all work as promised still remains to be seen – the “Karma Black” device, as it’s called, isn’t being made available for sale until September, the company says. It’s also not detailing specifics, like the product’s hardware specs or its pricing at this point.
However, Karma is promising some sort of trade-in offer for existing KarmaGo customers who want to take advantage of the new Black product. Beyond the additional security features, the device may be worth swapping out because it’s likely to sport new hardware internals, as well.
It’s sort of funny that a privacy-focused device is coming from Karma, of all companies. The original value proposition for the device maker was one where users would openly share their hotspot with others nearby. This would reward the Karma device owner with a credit to their account and additional data. If you actually wanted the security of using a private Wi-Fi network with a passphrase, you’d have to subscribe to Karma’s premium[2] service.
According to Karma’s announcement, the Black device will also take advantage of the same 2G/3G/LTE service the KarmaGo offers, which is today available as tiered “Pulse” monthly subscriptions[3], based on GB used per month, or available on a pay-as-you-go basis through “Drift.”
The company last year had...