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If you’re OK with the idea of an ad-funded life in which everything you do is watched over by an iframe advert for mature dating, this might be of note. Mobile network Samba is now up and running in the UK, which lets you build up a mobile data allowance by purposefully watching ads.
Currently, only iPad users are eligible to join the ad-funded internet revolution, as it requires users to install an app or browser plug-in to monitor use and serve the critical ads. Once users have got themselves a Samba micro-SIM or dongle (coming soon) for laptop tethering, the ad-watching can begin.
Samba says that sitting through 2.5 minutes of ads ought to earn users enough credit to download just over 500MB of data, which is provided through the Three network. Extra credit can be earned by buying stuff through linked affiliates, or you can just buy some with money if it’s all too much fuss. [Samba via BBC]
15 year old me would have loved this. But now with decently priced unlimited data why bother?
No ties to contracts, and whatever data you have accumulated stays on the sim ready to use at any time. For iPad users, or for emergency dongle peeps, this is a great solution.
Heh ‘dongle’
i know a few people who would be willing to do that if you could get the 2.5 mins of adds out of the way all in one go, as 500mb could last a near month least it does on my iphone
This sounds like a really good idea.
Another article full of mistakes. I have been using samba for the past month or so now:
Samba is available as a standard sized sim or mini-sim card but dongles are not yet available from Samba themselves. The sim can be used in any 3 or unlocked dongle (cheaply available on ebay/amazon), the mini-sim will fit an ipad.
The adverts give you 3.5mb of data per advert (length of advert varies) nowhere near the 500mb talked about in the article. You can also earn 250mb for completing feedback questionnaires for Samba.
Its very useful if you occasionally need an internet connection away from your home/office but not often enough to justify paying for data.
Yep, Gary said the dongle was coming soon, implying it’s not available yet. We hadn’t heard that they would support non-Simba dongles, but if you could point us in the direction of some information that confirms it, we can then add it to the post.
The dongle is not available, but the simcard can be used in any 3 branded dongle (http://help.sambamobile.com/Faq/Answer/54)
Simcard for dongles for sale here: https://www.sambamobile.com/Signup/SelectDevice
The ads work on any browser and there are useful firefox and chrome extensions that monitor your usage.
That website hurt my eyes
An interesting bit of info is that data you have accumulated through add watching isn’t subject to any time-limitation on it’s use, but if you purchase a bundle from the website, you have only 30 days to use it.
Wow, Now that’s a good idea.
Having a contract for my iPhone means I don’t partically want another for an iPad. This solves the problem.
It also takes the work out of targeted advertising.
http://giffgaff.com/goodybags#data
Did I miss the page where giffgaff data was free?
Where did you say “I WANT FREE DATA FOR MY IPAD” … Oh no, you didn’t. You said you didn’t want a contract. Last time I checked Giffgaff goody bags aren’t contracts.
I’ve had a Samba sim card for a couple weeks now, since I was on the initial beta list. The service is good, and its very easy to accumulate data. I’ve currently amassed 1.4GB through the daily adverts, and its still going up!
Honestly to god, anybody heard of GiffGaff? Free sim – free web and text and 250 minutes for £10 a month?
This whole concept is a stupid idea. Anybody who can afford a mobile device and wants to use the internet can afford a £10 a month top up. You’re gonna end up topping up to get minutes/texts anyway!
Honestly to god, hahah!
The service is obviously designed for minimal internet use. You are not obligated to any contracts, or payments to the service, and whatever you have accumulated can be used weeks, or months down the line without spending a single penny.