T-Mobile announces free WiFi texting on a plane
If you've got a newer smartphone via T-Mobile, you might have the ability to text for free when you travel. Today, at their Uncarrier 7.0 event, T-Mobile announced they were working with Gogo to allow customers to text worldwide while at 30,000 feet. Rather than relying on slow WiFi for an email, you can now fire off a quick text in the air.
The in-air program starts September 17th, ironically the same day iOS 8 (with WiFi calling) is available. To that end, T-Mobile offers the iPhone 5C and 5S, both of which will take advantage of this feature.
If you're using Android, Here is the list of phones available for in-flight WiFi texting:
Samsung Note® 4
Samsung Galaxy S®4
Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy Avant™
Samsung Note 3
HTC One® M7
HTC One M8
LG G3
These are what T-Mobile is calling "Gogo ready phones", but say more will be coming soon. Of course, that also means you'll have to be on a flight using Gogo internet, from a US airline. There is no cost to you, so it's another way T-Mobile is making staying connected easier.