Kajeet

In the wake of child-oriented cell phones like the Firefly and the LG Migo getting pulled back or discontinued, a carrier that specifically targets families with tweens has emerged. Called Kajeet, it is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) tailored especially for families, much like Disney Mobile. Similar to Disney Mobile, Kajeet also provides fully capable phones to its customers, trusting that the parents will provide service limitations while the child will learn how to use a real cell phone. Unlike Disney Mobile, however, Kajeet is a pay-as-you-go carrier, and it prides itself on its no-contract, no-fee service. Although it is a year old, Kajeet only started making headlines early this year, thanks to its recent deal with Nickelodeon to provide Nickelodeon-themed mobile content like ringtones and wallpapers. Since Kajeet doesn't manufacture its own devices, we can only give you a brief overview of the service.

Kajeet is primarily made up of two things: the Kajeet Navigator, which is a Web portal software application found on all its phones, and the Kajeet Configurator, a Web-based application that you can access from your PC's browser. The Configurator is key to Kajeet's brilliance: it's where parents can add a phone for another kid, set up approved and blocked phone numbers, decide who pays for which calls and what features, manage when phones can and can't be used, view calls made to and by their kids, check the balance in their Kajeet "wallets" (more on that later), and view the complete details of the calling plan. A Kajeet "wallet" is essentially where you put the money you use to pay for the service--parents can even allocate set amounts to their kids' "wallets" as a sort of allowance so that they can learn money management. Because Kajeet is a pay-as-you-go service, the wallet is also a handy tool to know how much balance you have left in your account.

As hinted, Kajeet utilizes the Sprint backbone to deliver its service. And it so happens that it is also compatible with a variety of previously Sprint-only handsets that can be purchased directly from Kajeet, including the LG LX150, the Nokia 6165i, the LG 225, and the Sanyo Katana. The cell phone's software remains exactly the same as the Sprint version, save for one primary difference: the Kajeet Navigator application. Essentially a sleek and colorful Web portal, the Kajeet Navigator provides access to a slew of music ringtones, wallpapers, and games. You can also access applications like Google Maps, Mobile AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), a scientific calculator, and more. Each Kajeet phone should already come preloaded with a few of these things for free (our Katana came with four free ringtones and four free demo games), but you always have the option to download more for a fee. As we mentioned earlier, you can also purchase Nickelodeon-themed mobile content from such shows as The Rugrats, Fairly Oddparents, or Spongebob Squarepants. For example, you can purchase the Spongebob Squarepants theme song for $2.50 each.

Pricing is as follows: you pay 35 cents a day to have unlimited use of Kajeet Configurator, free browsing of the Kajeet Navigator, personalized voice mail, Google Maps for Mobile, and customer service. Other services can rack up additional fees: it's 5 cents per text message, 10 cents per minute of talk, 25 cents per picture message, and $6.99 a month for unlimited mobile instant messaging.

Overall, we really like that Kajeet is trusting children with real full-fledged cell phones that will transition them easily into adulthood. The service also allows parents to really control their child's cell phone usage via the Kajeet Configurator. Though it doesn't have the GPS location-based service that Disney Mobile has, it's still a pretty decent service that lets parents teach their kids responsible cell phone usage. Add that to its low pay-as-you-go pricing, and we think the Kajeet service is great for families.