Karma has released an LTE version of its pay-as-you-go mobile hotspot

Karma, makers of the small, portable Wi-Fi hotspot that lets you pay-as-you-go, contract free, for the data you use ($14/1 GB), is now accepting pre-orders for its latest device, the Karma Go portable LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The new device, which also supports up to 8 concurrent users, runs on Sprint’s Nationwide 4G LTE network, with fallback to 3G CDMA. Before, the device ran on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network (previously known as Clearwire.) Now that the company has switched to LTE, the Karma Go provides users with broader coverage. The new device maintains its lilliputian size, at 2.59″ x 2.59″ x .47″, so it easily slides into your pocket. It also offers up to 220 hours of battery life in standby mode, or 5 hours during use with upload speeds of 2-3 Mb/s and download speeds of 6-8 Mb/s. As before, the data you purchase to use with Karma never expires, allowing you a true pay-as-you go experience without having to commit to a contract. That makes the device ideal for the occasional business traveler, for example, or anyone who doesn’t like getting stuck without an internet connection. In addition, what really makes the company unique is its philosophy around Wi-Fi sharing. Unlike with the mobile hotspots sold by mobile operators, Karma users are encouraged – and incentivized – to share their connection by earning free data for doing so. When a Karma hotspot is powered on, it broadcasts a signal like “Free Wi-Fi by Karma,” and when others connect to it they’re prompted to login with their own Karma account or create a new one. After doing so, both the sharer and recipient earn 100 MB of free data.