NTT DoCoMo announced that they will launch the "imadoco search" location service, allowing parents to monitor their children's whereabouts, for example.

Parents need an i-mode handset to use the service, while their children must have 3G FOMA handsets. Even if the children do not have GPS-compatible handsets, their location can still be identified through FOMA base stations. Parents can also use their PCs to check their children's location.

In addition, parents can receive periodic e-mail updates to their handsets so they know where their children are at all times, and can receive alerts if their children go outside of designated areas.

Subscribers whose kids carry the newly developed, child-friendly SA800i handset automatically receive e-mail on their children's whereabouts if the handset alarm is activated. They can continue to receive up to 10 more e-mails, one every 15 minutes. In addition, if the handset itself is turned off, then the handset automatically sends service subscribers e-mail giving their children's location. In such cases, parents can adjust the setting to receive either a one-time e-mail notice or continuous e-mail alerts.

The monthly fee for the location service will be 210 yen (covering up to five people), with each search costing 5.2 yen. All prices include 5% consumption tax.

imadoco is Japanese for "Where are you now?"

via http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/26689.html