MinuteWatcher provides free cellphone usage alerts

Three cheers for a free new service that not only alerts you of your cellphone airtime usage, but provides a forecast as well so you can adjust your calling patterns accordingly. Unlike other minute-tracking solutions, MinuteWatcher doesn't require downloading any software to your phone; rather, it automatically signs into your account on your carrier's website, pulls the relevant data, and emails it to you on a preset schedule in graphical or text-only formats. Available immediately for customers of all the major networks, MinuteWatcher seems like a no-brainer to sign up for, unless you're sketchy about giving up some of your personal info like password, phone number, and home address.

[Via PRWeb]

[(Unverified) Posted May 4th 2006 10:14PM]

Im not so sure about this site.

[(Unverified) Posted May 5th 2006 10:01AM]

I'm not sure this is legal. Has anyone looked into that aspect? The provider doesn't address this issue.

[(Unverified) Posted May 5th 2006 11:23AM]

I don't think it's a good idea to give up all of those precious information just to get the usage alert.

[(Unverified) Posted May 5th 2006 4:37PM]

Talk about synergy -- this would be a great way for those shady companies that cell your phone information to get your user name and password so they can get your calling information more easily. No more relying on insiders or having to pose as you and call your phone company -- you've given them that info.

[(Unverified) Posted May 6th 2006 8:43AM]

For T-Mobile, just call #646# to see how many minutes you've used.

[(Unverified) Posted May 6th 2006 7:53PM]

Nothing about security of site - privacy policy is pretty clean and they disclose you'll be shown targeted ads, not a real problem. But I'd really like to understand the security of their network.

[(Unverified) Posted May 7th 2006 12:44PM]

I'm one of the people involved in this project, and I've been a programmer in the software industry for many years. This is a legitimate site who's purpose is to help people with their cell phone usage. It wasn't mentioned in the press release, but the plan is to make this an advertising support service. Also, the privacy statement I believe does address the fact that the user data, including passwords, won't be shared or used for any other purpose.

[(Unverified) Posted May 14th 2006 11:19AM]

Minute Watcher available in Canada (Telus Mobility) http://www.cellphones.ca/forums/comments.php?DiscussionID=3075&page=1#Item_1