AT&T Introduces Pay-For-Play Parental Controls for Cell Phones

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:29:42 EDT

AT&T's mobile division is going to follow Disney Mobile and others by introducing its "Smart Limits" parental controls: parents use a web interface to set call blocking, calling hours, text message and download limits. But unlike many similar child-protection systems, this one will cost users $4.99 per month—per kid.

Like Disney's built-in parental controls, AT&T lets parents' own numbers remain immune from the limitations, and 911 calling is always permitted of course.

Websites can also be blocked on many phones, but not on the iPhone, because of the way its Safari browser uses the AT&T network connection. (Basically, the only phone that doesn't have browser limitations is the only phone that has a decent enough browser for actually surfing the good, I mean illicit, sites.) [AP/Yahoo]

K-Touch Security Phone Lets You Brick it When Stolen

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:10:57 EST

The K-Touch Tianyu B832 is light on features in the traditional sense, but has one ability that's important when you truly need it. The phone lets you program five numbers into the notification list, so that when it detects that the SIM has been swapped out, it'll send text messages to those five numbers.

If one of the five numbers then replies with an SMS, the phone locks itself until something happens—the original SIM is put back, perhaps? Other than this lockdown feature, the phone has TV-Out, MP3/WMA/AAC playback, WAP browser, JAVA, and is only available in China/Hong Kong. – Jason Chen

Tianyu B832 [RingHK via Slashphone via Uber Phones]

Gizmodo: Lockdown

AT&T Introduces Pay-For-Play Parental Controls for Cell Phones

K-Touch Security Phone Lets You Brick it When Stolen