This entry was posted on Friday, January 26th, 2007 at 15:03 and is filed under GPS, Press Release, Wireless. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Friday, January 26, 2007
Verizon Wireless today announced a full lineup of handsets that are capable of being located through its ChaperoneSM family locator service. Chaperone, which has previously been available only on the green LG Migo phone, gives families an added peace of mind while helping locate each other’s wireless phones. Chaperone family locator service is available today on the following Verizon Wireless handsets: the LG 3450L, perfect for pre-teens who want their own mobile phone, and the LG VX8300, LG Chocolate and the Motorola KRZR K1m, all perfect choices for a teenager or other family member who wants a phone that looks like it was designed for an adult.
Based on Global Positioning System (GPS) data, Chaperone is designed to supplement the parameters family members have already established with each other through two options, Chaperone Family Locator and Chaperone with Child ZoneSM. When it first became available in June of 2006, Chaperone with Child Zone marked the first time a wireless service allowed parents to establish predetermined areas in which a family member could travel with their phone where the parent would be automatically alerted about the location of the device when it entered or left the defined area. Features of these services include:
Chaperone Family Locator – Once the family member is equipped with a Chaperone-capable phone and the service is activated on the account, parents can locate their family member’s phone from a PC via the Chaperone Web site (https://www.vzwchaperone.com). Optionally, parents can download the Chaperone Parent application from the Get It Now® virtual store, at no charge, to conduct single location requests for their family member’s phone directly from the parent’s Verizon Wireless phone. The Chaperone Parent application is available for use on a growing number of Get It Now-enabled phones.
Chaperone with Child Zone – Using the Chaperone Web site, a parent can construct an area called a Child Zone around the vicinity of locations that their family member frequents (such as schools, playgrounds or daycare centers). Different locations can be “zoned” for one time, always on, or for up to 24 hours. When the family member arrives or leaves the predetermined area with their Chaperone-capable phone, the parent is alerted via TXT Message on their Verizon Wireless phone.
“Chaperone helps busy families stay connected throughout the day, while providing parents with a valuable tool for staying in contact with their children,” said Jim Straight, vice president of wireless Internet and multimedia services for Verizon Wireless. “Now, with the service available on additional handsets designed for adults, it’s perfect for families that want to stay connected – whether family members include pre-teens, teenagers or even seniors.”
In order to access Chaperone, a Verizon Wireless customer must subscribe to Chaperone and then activate the service through a secure, password protected Web site. Specific educational materials and terms of use are available to customers and were designed to assist parents and children to use Chaperone in an informed and responsible manner. Chaperone is only available to Verizon Wireless customers on a Family Share Plan to help restrict unauthorized use of the service.
To purchase Chaperone, parents first need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Family Share Plan and must have a Chaperone-capable phone on that account. Parents can add the basic Chaperone Family Locator for $9.99 monthly access per line or add Chaperone with Child Zone for $19.99 monthly access per line.
Parents who want to access location information about their children via their Verizon Wireless handset have a variety of devices to choose from, including: LG VX4700, VX5300, VX8300, VX8600, The Chocolate, The V, The enV, Samsung SCH-a870, SCH-a930, and Motorola V325, RAZR V3m, and MOTOKRZR K1m.
To view a Chaperone demo and learn more about the service, visit www.verizonwireless.com/chaperone. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:19
I have been inquiring about the chaparone phone system for my teenage son. I have the share plan with verizon. We purchased the motorola V3m and as the agent was setting up my system my agent told me I had to also purchase a phone with the parent capabilities. I was told prior and after reading info regarding the chaparone system, my info stated I could access it thru my internet. It did not say I had to Purchase a new phone for myself to get this set up. As we proceeded I was then told the Motorola V3m was not a phone on the chaparone list for this system. I wasted 1 1/2 hours yesterday for this agent to get nowhere. My son does not know he was getting a chaparone phone and I was very frustrated with my agent. Could you please give the correct information regarding what I need to do to get this system rolling?
Thank you,
Tammy
February 24th, 2007 at 21:21
I don’t understand why the agent told you that the Motorola V3M (RAZR) is not parent capable when Verizon’s own web page lists it as being so (silver or pink.) In fact, nearly all over Verizon phones support this feature.
Tammy, take a look at Verizon’s Caperone (Parent) page for more details. The agent must not be aware of the program or may be an authorized dealer (not an actual Verizon store) looking to make more money.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:31
I went with Verizon specifically to get the Chaperone service. Their website indicates that the LG VX5300 phone is Chaperone capable (purchased directly from Verizon, not a distributer). After several hours on the phone with various customer service people & their website, I’ve learned that only certain VX5300′s (depending on serial number) are capable. It’s amazing that the cell phone company people (not just Verizon) have so much difficulty supporting their own products & services).
August 26th, 2007 at 23:59
i wonder how people will feel about gps in five-eight years. it can be used equally for good and bad. i hope the telecoms have strong programs in place to prevent abuse from within and access by outsiders who would like to track others.
December 24th, 2007 at 10:57
I was hesitant in buying my 11 year old daughter a cell phone but was “sold” on it by a Verizon agent in a circuit city in Charlotte, NC. The agent told me about the chaperone service and explained that I needed to get a new phone in order to track my daughter’s phone from mine. (no problem I was at my 2 year renewel period and had a $100 credit). My daughter wanted the Pink RAZR v3, the agent told me that phone would work with the chaperone program. When I got home to set up the program the customer service agent on the phone informed that the RAZR v3 is only “parent” capable not “child” capable. I have inquired with another agent at a different location to confirm this and evidently only a select few phones are capable of supporting the “chaperone child application”. I am still researching and asking questions to see if I can correct this mistake by Verizon. I think Verizon needs to clarify this with thier salespeople, I mean what other phone is a 11 year old girl going to want? It is an easy trap to fall into if you are on the family share plan because the RAZR v3 phone is free if you add another line.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:46
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March 16th, 2010 at 18:50
One of my favorite customer service quotes is “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” -ROGER STAUBACH
May 23rd, 2010 at 18:18
I’m in a bit of dilema, I’ve had my Apple iPhone 3G for the past couple of years and it’s been great. It is my understanding that Apple has a new update due out called OS 4 and it’s supposed to be adding some new features to the iphone. The problem is that I bought Verizon’s new HTC Incredible the HTC Incredible and it is a great phone, way better than the Apple iphone, BUT I’m hearing that Apple is going to be coming out with a completely new iphone altogether, and it’s supposed to be really nice but no one has any ideas as to when and Apple isn’t saying a thing. Should I keep my HTC Incredible, that I have a month to test and give back if I do not want to keep it, or should I give it back, keep my current 3G and wait for the release for the new iPhone- tough to make up my mind.