New Plans!
November 16, 2009
by Carol Politi
Check out the new rate plans that are available to all kajeet customers! The graphic on the left shows a few of the popular options. If you scroll down on the kajeet.com rate plan page you will see the entire range of options available. Current customers can login at kajeet.com and go to Talk and Text Paks to purchase one of these new plans. (Our customer care – 1-866-452-5338 – can also help you decide which plan is best for you.)
The new options include an expanded set of Unlimited Texting Plans as well as Voice and Text-only plans. There are great options here for both first time phone users as well as kids that love to text and talk – and even for those parents that keep asking us if they can start using the kajeet plan. (Sure beats the $350 termination fee just introduced by Verizon for Smartphones!).
Here is a summary of the popular unlimited plan options:
- $14.99 – Unlimited Texting & 60 Talk minutes/month
- $19.99 – Unlimited Texting and 150 Talk minutes/month
- $29.99 – Unlimited Texting and 300 Talk minutes/month
- $50 – Unlimited Talk and Text!
The above are all automatically renewing plans, which means you need to purchase them with a credit or a debit card (prepaid cards will also work).
In addition to the above, we still offer the $4.99 Talk Plan which is a great value for first time phone buyers. The plan delivers access for the month – including unlimited use of kajeet Parental Controls and free kid-centric mobile internet sites – with additional Talk for only $.10/minute and Text for only $.10/message. The $9.99 Night and Weekend Pak is also still available as a bolt on to all these Plan options. If you purchase the N&W Pak you will get an additional 1,000 minutes starting at 7 PM!
There are also voice and text-only bundles available. Check out the details on the rate plan page at kajeet.com. (Again, scroll to the bottom of the page to see the full array of plans available.)
Please comment here to let us know what you think of the new plan options.
kajeet Mobile Web – New!
November 13, 2009
by Carol Politi
We just launched some great new mobile web services! This new offering provides significantly more flexibility for those that want to surf the web from their kajeet device and gives parents the ability to select the level of access they think works best for their family.
The kajeet Navigator (i.e., the browser on your phone) now has a set of free sites, a set of kid-friendly sites selected by kajeet (these cost money to access), access to social networking and IM (these cost money and are in a separately controlled category), and a category that allows you to access the web freely without controls. The new Feature Manager on kajeet.com allows parents to control the access their kids will have to various sites on the mobile web. Login to kajeet.com and select Configurator/Feature Manager to see the full set of options.
What does it cost?
The web services are charged based on use – $0.35 per 0.25 megabyte (each 0.25MB expires 24 hours after purchase). What that means is that we charge you for 0.25 MB and that this is good for a day. (Some carriers charge in MB, for comparison purposes this equates to $1.40/MB).
What on earth does 0.25 Mbyte get you and why did we take this approach? First, it gets you:
- About 10 mobile-friendly web pages
- About 2-3 full web pages (i.e., non-mobile optimized pages)
Why did we take this approach? It is nice to be able to, for a very small cost, casually browse the web – e.g., look at the weather once in a while. Many of our customers just want a bit of web access and they don’t want to buy a big bundle. (For those that are very heavy users, we will add a bundle option in the future!)
Please note: it is still free to browse our Navigator store for ringtones, games, and applications – and all kajeet users still get access to select free mobileweb sites! Access to your “MyKajeet” is also free.
We would love some input on this – so please comment here on the new features. Your comments will directly reach our product team and they will listen to you! We could specifically use help in the following areas:
1. What sites would you like to see in the “free” category. Our plan is to consistently make available at least 3 sites as part of our base service. These need to be appropriate for kids of all ages. We would appreciate customer feedback to help us decide if we have made the right choices.
2. Do you know of other kid appropriate sites that should be specifically listed and made available in our “Other Great Sites” category? This is a category of sites that again need to be appropriate for kids of all ages. This category is a bit light at the moment and we would like to make it more robust.
Please comment here to let us know what you think, and to let us know how you would like to see these features evolve. Thanks!
Text Paks on the Phone
November 2, 2009
By Carol Politi
We offer a variety of ways to purchase Text Paks – including the option to purchase these on the handset itself. Because we assume that a child is the user of the handset, it is only possible to make one time (i.e., non-recurring) Text Pak purchases from a kajeet handset.
There are three options for one-time Text Pak purchases available on the handset:
1. 200 texts for $4.99
2. 1,000 texts for $9.99
3. Unlimited texts for $19.99.
This ability to fund these one-time Text Paks from the wallet allows you to provide an allowance in your son or daughter’s kajeet wallet and let them decide how they want to spend it – talking, texting, playing games, etc. (Note that your calls will always go through – even if they run out of their allowance – if you fund your Parent Wallet).
The handset purchase options are especially ideal if your son or daughter may not be purchasing a Pak every month. For example, if they know they will text more over a holiday when they are not with their friends or if they want the ability to spend their phone allowance on texts one month and games the next.
Are you or your child using the handset purchase option? Please let us know what other tools you would like to see on the handset.
Unique kajeet Applications
October 14, 2009
by Carol Politi
Our customers are finding all sorts of unique uses for the features we brought to the market for kids. The applications range from simple extensions into a new consumer market to businesses that are making use of the administrative capabilities we provide on kajeet.com. kajeet is being used by seniors, by family caregivers, by trucking companies, by window and door companies, and more! I’ve profiled a few of these applications here.
kajeet has become kajeet for seniors for a number of our customers. The Samsung M300 is especially popular with seniors because it has large numbers on the keypad that are very easy to see. The flip phone functionality allows you to open the phone and answer the call all in one motion – without having to search for the call button. The basic $4.99 plan is easy on the wallet so is perfect for an emergency phone. Because this service fee is pulled directly from a credit card there are no potentially confusing prepaid cards to worry about. The GPS provides location information that can ease the mind of adult caregivers.
kajeet is being used by both children and adults with developmental disabilities as it helps them get out and safely engage more and more with their communities. The M300 is again a good choice here – as it has an easy to use keypad & simple user interface. Caregivers can fund the parent wallet as an emergency wallet and be sure that it will never run out of funds. And the call list can be used to ensure the phone can only be used to call certain numbers if this is desirable. For those new to navigating around their community, the GPS can be used make sure caregivers can find individuals and more easily get them assistance if they become lost.
On the other side of the spectrum, a number of small businesses are using kajeet to stay connected with their employees. kajeet’s parent account is being used an administrative account – providing a single interface for an administrator to manage all the cell phones used by their employees. It’s even possible to message employees from kajeet.com, allowing administrators to reach out directly to employees from their desktop. The call list allows companies to limit the calls they pay for to a specific list of numbers, and the wallets allow employees to fund their own “wallet” to pay for personal calls. Finally, GPS makes sure companies can check in on employees that might be busy on site and verify they can get to another job in a reasonable time frame. (We designed our tools for parents who are the “administrators” of their households so it should be no surprise that company administrators like the kajeet.com management tools!).
At kajeet, we are still all about kids. However, we love seeing that the unique features we have brought to market for kids are being used in such unique ways. Comment here and let us know how you are using kajeet!
LG 260 Rumor or Sanyo 2700?
October 9, 2009
by Carol Politi
I recently replied to a comment on this blog questioning how one should select between the LG260 Rumor and the Sanyo 2700. We have had this question a lot so I’ve decided to republish the device comparison as a full fledged blog posting.
Both are great looking QWERTY devices, but there are many differences between the two that might influence which would be the best device for your kid.
Summary:
- The LG 260 Rumor has a bar design that slides open to reveal a QWERTY text keyboard. The key features of the device include Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, speakerphone, a music player, and a memory card slot. This is a great voice and text phone that also supports a nice music player. People that want to both call/text and play music will prefer this phone.
- The Sanyo 2700 also is a bar design and has a QWERTY that is used for all key functions (similar to most smartphone keypad designs). The key features of the device include Bluetooth, a QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera and speaker-independent voice control. This is a phone for people that want voice and text as the primary functions, and it also has a nice display for web browsing as well.
Differences:
The primary differences are as follows:
- Display. The Sanyo 2700 has a 2.2” display. The Rumor has a 2″ display. The larger display is nice to have (especially for web browsing). There is a bit of a difference in the colors supported but this should not materially impact the user experience.
- Texting. Both devices are very solid texting devices. The Rumor supports the pull out QWERTY keyboard while the 2700 has a native QWERTY keyboard that is used for all functions. The native keyboard is nice as it removes a task when texting (the need to pull out the keyboard). However, the keyboard on on the Rumor is a bit more spread out and may be preferred by those with larger hands. Whether you prefer one or the other is going to come down to a personal preference on style.
- Micro-SD. The LG 260 Rumor has a micro-SD card slot. The Sanyo 2700 does not. The SD card is handy for both pictures and music.
- Internet Access. The screen on the Sanyo 2700 is larger than that on the Rumor which gives it a bit of an edge when it comes to browsing. There is no real difference in the browser technology/performance.
- Music. The Rumor has a nice music player (and supports the micro-SD card which you need to transfer songs). You can create play lists, etc. With stereo headphones this is a nice experience, and it allows you to play back music you have purchased (perhaps your own CDs, etc. – assuming you have the digital rights to use it on the phone). If you want to play music, you will need the Rumor.
- Video. The Rumor supports video capture. The Sanyo 2700 does not.
The Sanyo 2700 also has a nice voice dialing feature – it supports what is called “speaker independent” voice dialing which means it automatically attempts to match the name you speak with the entry in your phone book you would like to dial.
Please comment here to let us know which device you have and the features you like or would like to see in future devices.
Sanyo 2700
October 6, 2009
By Carol Politi
Have you checked out kajeet’s new Sanyo 2700 devices on kajeet.com? These are great!!! (And they are on sale for $10 off during our launch period – through October 12!)
Here is what the reviewers are saying:
“The Sanyo SCP-2700 is slim and lightweight, with a great keyboard and an easy-to-use interface. It offers extensive messaging support, including support for corporate e-mail. It’s also very affordable.” CNET
PhoneScoop provides a good physical description of the phone in its review: “It is small, somewhat sleek, relatively attractive, and very light weight. In other words, it is easy to carry around. The sides and edges are rounded, making it comfortable to hold in your hand. The back plate covering the battery has some slight texture to it due to the checkered pattern, but the rest of the plastics are smooth. This phone was made to fit in your jeans pocket.”
The Sanyo 2700 is great for kids that love to text and it also comes with the kajeet service and free parental controls allowing you to configure limits, turn off texting at night, and more.
Comment here & let us know how you like the 2700!
Green Tip of the Week
October 5, 2009
By Carol Politi
“Host a Clothing Swap”
Update your closet and help the planet by hosting a clothing swap. Get friends together with clothes they don’t want and exchange. Check out swaporamarama.org for a clothes swap in your area.”
Tips by Jenn Savedge, Author of The Green Teen.
(Of course, talk to Mom before you give anything away!)
What do you do with clothing your kids outgrow? Let us know your tips!
Sleep
September 29, 2009
Sleep
by Carol Politi
Another series of articles have come out describing all the distractions today’s kids have to deal with not only throughout their day, but also throughout their night. A recent article “Night-texting’ taking its toll on N.J. teens” highlights kids that are texting even while they are sleeping.
Research has shown that the lack of sleep impacts not only kid’s school work but also their emotional and physical health. kidshealth.org has a good summary of teen sleep needs.
Kids are going to wake up if they get notified of a text message on their phone. Some parents have a rule that all phones must be powered down and put in a designated spot before the kids retire for the evening. That can work! Another option for kajeet parents is to establish a TimeManager policy that prevents the phone from sending or receiving texts during certain hours. Many kajeet parents put on a block during the nights and during school hours. (Emergency numbers that the parent designates can get through.)
I think we would all love it if our kids would just learn to apply reasonable limits – this is an important part of growing up. However, with texting, we have to be worried not only about our own kid’s behavior, but also that of their friends in homes with different policies and limits. Sometimes it makes sense to give them a little help! Please login to kajeet.com or call kajeet customer care at 1-866-452-5338 to configure TimeManager on your kajeet device.
Best Adventure Books for Kids
September 14, 2009
by Carol Politi
Outside Magazine does not typically focus on kids. However, their recent blog does a great job of profiling adventure classics for kids. The blog was spurred by the recent New York Times article on a teacher that allowed the kids in her 7th and 8th grade classroom to choose their own books.
The Outside picks? Below and on the Outside Blog:
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer- Mark Twain
- Redwall series – Brian Jacques
- Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
- Moby-Dick – Herman Melville
- Lord Jim – Joseph Conrad
- The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane
- Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
- White Fang – Jack London
- The Call of the Wild – Jack London
- A River Runs Through It – Norman Maclean’s story collection
- My Side of the Mountain – Jean Craighead George
- Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain
- The Black Stallion - Walter Farley
- Misty of Chincoteague – Marguerite Henry
- Into the Wild – by Jon Krakauer
- Lord of the Flies – William Golding
- Brighty of the Grand Canyon – Marguerite Henry and Wesley Dennis
- Following the Equator – Mark Twain
- Young Men and Fire – Norman Maclean
- Down and Out in Paris and London – George Orwell
- The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
- Walden and Civil Disobedience – Henry David Thoreau
- On the Road – Jack Kerouac
As you might expect, not every book is appropriate for every family or every age range. Check out the book descriptions to determine which books on the list might be most appropriate for your family and your child.
Do you have feedback on the books above or recommendations on great adventure books for tweens? Please comment and let us know! We can get the word out to kids on the phone.
Green Tip of the Week
September 11, 2009
by Carol Politi
“Recycle Your Shirts
Got a shirt you just don’t wear? Before you toss it in the trash, pass it on to a friend or a local thrift store. If it is worn out, cut it up and use it as rags around the house.”
Tips by Jenn Savedge, Author of The Green Teen
As we post these tips on the handset, I’m finding myself thinking that my mom did these things naturally when I was growing up. Reusing clothes, bags, etc. and donating lightly used items were all a second nature to her.
I also noted in a recent trip to Toronto that everyone was carrying grocery bags to the store – and that I was not even offered a bag when I checked out. People that had only a few items simply carried the items. There are great trends here that if replicated could vastly reduce the waste we generate!
Please comment & let us know what your family does to reuse or otherwise prevent things from ending up in landfills.
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