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AT&T FamilyMap lets users track their kids and loved ones

Categories: AT&T,
By: , IntoMobile
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at 2:03 AM

AT&T FamilyMap

AT&T has a new service in its portfolio. The so called FamilyMap is designed to allow AT&T subscribers to track their kids and loved ones from a mobile phone or PC. The service relies either on cell tower triangulation or built-in GPS to locate a phone, and BGR reports that it can even active the GPS chip, which is kinda awkward. But that’s not the only strange thing with FamilyMap. Besides the first notification SMS that alerts user that he/she is being tracked, everything else is done in a silent manner, raising tons of privacy concerns…

If you’re interested to give FamilyMap a try, a free 30 day trial is available. Afterwards, the service will cost you $9.99/month for two or $14.95 for five phones. Here’s a link to AT&T’s page with more information.

[Via: BGR]

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

  • smartmobile

    It is rather amusing to see that anybody has privacy concerns. If you are a parent and you pay for your kids mobile phones, it is simply your right to use such a service. If you are a dependant teen and you are concerned about your parents following you, no reason tom complain : simply get off the couch, get a job and pay for your own mobile phone … that simple. No privacy issue !

  • geekyivan

    I am not sure if anyone wants to pay so much for this basic service. For Android, we have Google Latitude for free. For BlackBerry, there is a free version of 'GuardianWare BlackBerry' which let us track other trusted ones. Personally I prefer GuardianWare, I can get notified when my kids reach or leave their schools.