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Comment by fermuch | Hacker News Reader

How is this different to Hologram[1] or EsEye[2]?

Hologram seems to offer an api with as much access as twilio's (data usage report, switching between "networks" (what package you buy, which includes certain countries and pricing...) and monthly payment of a fleet of chips. I'm failing to see the added value of twilio, but the more competency the better!

[1]: https://hologram.io/ [2]: https://www.eseye.com/

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it looks like hologram's per-MB cost is 4x twilio's

But much cheaper per device. I guess it depends how much data you are expecting to transfer.

Does it provide voice connectivity?

Not that I'm aware of, but it might be possible. I don't have a chip with me right now so I can't test it.

At my current job we use it for gps trackers and IoT devices attached to vehicles, so we don't use voice.

I wish folks would abstain from making "how is this different to X?" comments. They add very little to the conversation.

I actually like alternative solutions listed when something is posted on HN that I know nothing about. It's obviously best when the poster does some homework and lists the largest differentiators. I've seen the question "how is this different to X?" used, more often than not, in more of a combative context however where the user defends an alternative and then points negatively at the original.

Just my $0.02 and I"m sure there's a better format that could be used, just not sure what that is exactly :)

Are you kidding? They're one of most useful types of comments, as they both inform the readers of potential differentiators and alternatives.

I didn't click the links for this one. But often they provide an existing similar service, available today. This is great if the idea shown is so great you need it yesterday, and you hadn't seen it before.

It is the difference between innovation and prior art/similar business, for me that makes sense to discuss.

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