July 11th, 2007
Radar Lets You Monitor Your Kids’ Cell Phone Calls
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
No, not that radar. This Radar text messages parents when their kids get a call from someone not on an approved list of the parents’ choosing. It will also monitor IMs, text messages, emails, etc.
The Brumfields signed up to be early users of Radar, software designed to let parents monitor incoming calls on their child’s mobile phone. Anytime Joshua gets a call from someone not on a call list approved by his parents, they will receive a real-time text alert on their cell phone or online.
For example, during the first two days on the phone, Joshua got six calls from a stranger within a few hours–and the Brumfields got six text alerts. So they asked Joshua about the calls, and he told them they were from a man looking for his ex-girlfriend who didn’t believe that her number had changed. The stranger had grown more aggressive with each call, thinking that Joshua was a new boyfriend. Source: News.com
We Say: Unfortunately however, it currently only works on the Blackberry Pearl, though soon it will be avaiable on the Motorola Razr. The Pearl is not something I’d give my kid. Maybe the Razr. The problem is obviously you will need some sort of smartphone for this to work on, not what I’d prefer to give my kid (a simple cell phone).
Bob Lotter says:
As the CEO of eAgency Systems, Inc and the inventor of RADAR, I am always interested in what others have to say about our new service for children and parents.
The Blackberry Pearl is an awesome phone and kids love it. It does pictures, video, email, text and music. Best of all it can be gotten for as little as $50 or even free.
The Razr is not the only phone we will be launching on and it is not a smartphone. Working on regualr cell phones is not a technology challenge for us, it requires that the cell phone carriers certify and approve the application to run on their networks, as this simply takes time.
We felt RADAR was important enough to launch before the new school year and this is why the Blackberry Pearl is the first.
July 11th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Michael Santo says:
You have a point there, about the Razr. If I recall correctly, it uses P2K as an OS, an arcane OS to be sure, so I am sure you have to work closely with MOT on this.
It seems like the easiest ports however, would be to smartphones, like say, WM or Blackberrys, and I’d prefer to give my kids free phones
July 13th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Carrington says:
This seems like more of a way to catch a cheating spouse than a child. I know of no parent in their right mind who will give their CHILD a Pearl. Great idea! Was prepared to purchase the software spot on. However, my son has a top level cell but he’ll never get a Pearl. Not on my dime anyway.
July 26th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Chris Brightwell says:
Actually, you can purchase a Pearl at no cost when you sign up for RADAR. You can even get a 30-day FREE trial. Visit our site at www.mymobilewatchdog.com and go to “Get My Mobile Watchdog.” We’ll be happy to give you the information.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:59 am