AT&T intros phone insurance, tracking bundle
updated 06:55 pm EDT, Thu March 31, 2011
AT&T outs new Mobile Protection Pack for phones
Provider AT&T on Thursday began offering a new Mobile Protection Pack for several phones offered by the company. Priced at $10 per month, it combines existing Mobile Insurance and Enhanced Support services with a new Mobile Locate app that will find a lost or stolen handset. Users can also lock or sound an alarm of their missing handsets using this service from a remote location.
The last five locations of their device can also be found, with turn-by-turn directions to each of them available. The alarm will sound for three minutes even if the handset's set to vibrate or silent. Finally, users can remotely lock the handset and unlock it once found using a PIN they created. iPhone users don't get the app but already have the Find My iPhone feature.
The Mobile Insurance service was previously known as the Wireless Phone Insurance, and provides a replacement device for approved claims where a device was lost, stolen, physically damaged or by liquid after the manufacturer warrant expires. This can be added within 30 days of activation or a device upgrade. This feature is available on its own for $5 per month per number.
Enhanced Support includes direct, live phone or web chat support for device set-up, 'how-to' help, and troubleshooting. The AT&T assistants can also remotely access compatible devices to quickly make device changes in certain conditions.
