Disney phone service has parents in mind -- CNet News.com/NYTimes, 2006-04-04

[Andrew]

Disney phone service has parents in mind -- CNet News.com/NYTimes

With the help of Walt Disney, parents can make sure it's still a small world for their children, at least when it comes to their cell phone use.

On Wednesday, the company is expected to introduce a wireless phone service that will allow parents to set limits on their children's cell phone use as well as track them on a map using Global Positioning System technology. Parents can determine what hours and days of the week children can use phones, blocking school hours for example, and what numbers they can dial. They will also be able to set spending limits on their phone bills.

The new service, called Disney Mobile, has not been priced yet. It is expected to be unveiled in Las Vegas at the annual trade show for CTIA, a wireless industry trade group, and will be available in June. The service comes on the heels of Disney's February debut of Mobile ESPN, a service for sports fans.

[Dlandmom]

For some reason, I already thought this type of service was already available.

Anyhow, I think it's a great idea...I'll be curious to see the pricing structure by the time my kids are old enough to use phones. I really like the idea of my kids having some type of phone for emergency use, yet I definitely don't want them to be making "fun" calls otherwise until they're much older (how old, I don't know yet, lol).

[yellowrosedtxn]

I wish these phones would be offered earlier than June. I have three kids and the oldest has a phone but the two youngest don't. They are 9 and 10. But I thought for our trip, I would get the two youngest a tracfone to have while we are at Disney. This way if we get separated for ANY reason, then I would be able to reach them.

I hope that I don't have to use that phone for anything on our trip, but I will feel much better than trying to use walkie talkies. We never used ours last year at all.

[Andrew]

Disney to market phones / New devices will let parents restrict use, keep tabs on kids -- SFGate, 2006-04-06

Las Vegas -- Entertainment titan Disney unveiled a mobile-phone service Wednesday in a move to leverage its close relationship with parents and children into a successful wireless brand.

Disney officials kicked off the CTIA Wireless 2006 cell phone convention in Las Vegas by touting its Disney Mobile phone service as a communications option for increasingly busy families.

The service, which starts in June, includes tools that allow parents to monitor and control calls by family members, and a Global Positioning System locator that can provide real-time maps and addresses of family members.

[MrsPooh]

Piglet has been bugging me for a cell phone, and I thought he was too young for one. I wouldn't mind him having something like this for when he is with friends and can call me at any time, and the GPS is a great safety feature.

I might be interested in this.