Japan-based NTT DoCoMo will be launching their new child-friendly 3G mobile phone on December 20, equipped with several features designed “for the safety and convenience of children.” It includes an emergency alarm that emits alternating noises as well as an LED light for tracking, and it even automatically notifies the child’s parents when it’s triggered (it also gives them the location of the phone/child). A bracelet component is sold with the phone for the child user to use as a remote control/locator, a misplaced phone giving off a beep if within 10 meters. The phone also includes a preset that prevents accidental powering-off, automatically turning the handset back on in as little as five minutes and sending a message regarding the incident and the phone’s location to a another registered DoCoMo phone.
[via Textually]
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I can see great potential uses of this device. Your child gets lost at DisneyLand and you can zero in on him/her within 10 meters. Awesome.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Anyone ever thought of the kids rights and freedom? Sure it’s dangerous out there, and parents are naturally interested to keep a 24h eye on their kids. But when you’re already tracked down as a kid and have to react to beeping buttons all the time, what will (/can) a system do with you later? Mind the gap. There’s definitely more to that topic.
December 13th, 2007 at 4:09 am