Google Enters the Wireless Game With Project Fi

Those with Nexus 6 smartphones now have another carrier to choose from, but it's not some Silicon Valley startup—it's called Google. The company today announced the launch of Project Fi, its long-awaited entry into the wireless service biz. For now, it's available on an invite-only basis for Nexus 6 users, and the Verge notes that it has a unique pricing plan: Customers will pay only for the data they use. For $20 a month, they'll get talk, text, and international coverage, and then it's $10 per gigabyte of data. They'll be refunded for any data they've paid for but didn't use.

"Let's say you go with 3GB for $30 and only use 1.4GB one month," explains the company post. "You'll get $16 back, so you only pay for what you use." Another notable feature: The service will automatically switch users between Wi-Fi and cellular, depending on which is fastest where they are, reports Business Insider. Google isn't building its own network but is partnering with Sprint and T-Mobile. "Still, for wireless companies, Google's entrance to the market could be worrisome," observes CNET. "Google, with its financial resources and influence, has the power to shake up the entire industry." (More Google stories.)