AT&T rolls out FamilyMap locator service for protective parents, bummed kids
Following its competitors down the path of familial omniscience, AT&T has rolled out its aptly-named FamilyMap service for tracking signed-up phones from afar. Interestingly, any AT&T phone is supported -- if you're looking to track one that doesn't have GPS / AGPS, it simply falls back to less-accurate techniques like tower triangulation, which is better than nothing. Besides simply scouting your kiddies (or spouse, or whomever else agrees to your oversight) on a map, you can do cooler things like set up automatic emails or text messages to get location updates, track a swiped phone, and more. Sadly, your ability to spy is limited by the fact that AT&T periodically sends tracked phones text messages reminding them they've got Big Brother on their tail, but it's better than nothing. The first 30 days are free to try, then you're looking at $9.99 a month for up to two phones or $14.99 for up to five.
[Via Boy Genius Report]
[Via Boy Genius Report]
























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nc @ Apr 15th 2009 1:33PM
Well, children want cell phones earlier and earlier in life, so maybe this is a way parents will be more willing to purchase their child one.
Dustin Leiblein @ Apr 15th 2009 12:06AM
I was able to turn off the notifications under MyAccount then Notification settings.
Michael @ Apr 15th 2009 1:49AM
Can I sign up for this service and locate who stole my girlfriend's iPhone so I can pound them?
Dustin Leiblein @ Apr 15th 2009 1:59AM
The phone your tracking still has to have the active sim card in it. If you have since changed the sim on the account or if the thief has changed the sim out of the phone, then you cannot track it.
James villan @ Apr 15th 2009 3:35PM
dude! verizon has this for like 3 years allready there soo behind tech is not even funny =-)))))
James villan @ Apr 15th 2009 5:00PM
I Almost forgot ...Verizon has 2 not 1 GPS tracking feature Chaperon for kids and Location Manager for business, also u can
Set boundaries for the kid, warn u if the kid leave the safe area or pre-set location or and it lets the parents receive turn by turn
Directions to there kids location
Location manager lets u plan routes and track them if u get of the set route will set a warning txt to manager lol
Yea so let me know what u think =-))