AT&T Smart Controls Website for TV, Internet and Wireless

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

This could be a very useful website.  Here is the press release:

AT&T Introduces New AT&T Smart Controls(SM) Website

Online Hub Arms Consumers with Safety Information and Helpful Tools to Better Manage Wireless, Internet and TV Experience

Dallas, Texas, November 09, 2010

AT&T* today announced the launch of AT&T Smart Controls, an all-in-one online destination dedicated to giving AT&T customers more control over their wireless, TV, Internet, and home phone experience. The new website – inspired by and for customers – provides one-click access to safety and control tools, articles, expert resources, and more, all designed to help customers and parents better manage the technology they use every day. This is another example of AT&T bringing innovation and people together to better their lives.

Key Features:

Organized to address popular topics that can help keep customers in the driver’s seat of their technology experience, AT&T Smart Controls features several categories and subjects, including:

• Manage Content: Take more control over the technology you use every day, such as preventing unwanted calls and texts on your wireless phone, setting up online content filters or blocking certain channels on your TV.
• Control Spending: Explore ways to control spending.
• Learn Safety Tips: Learn more about tools and solutions available to help protect your family, your information and your devices, plus get expert advice on how to avoid common scams.
• Limit Time: Set parameters for how often your children can go online, make and receive phone calls, the types of programming they can watch, and more. 
• Manage Location: Learn how to hide your phone’s location to protect your privacy.

“We really believe in the importance and value of AT&T Smart Controls,” said Mark Collins, senior vice president, Voice and Data Products, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “As a technology leader, we have a responsibility to educate and arm consumers with the very latest safety information. Smart Controls is an all-inclusive destination that provides convenient, easily accessible solutions to help consumers manage their technology needs simply, safely and effectively.”

AT&T Smart Controls also allows viewers to easily locate content management tools for particular AT&T services, such as the AT&T Data Calculator, AT&T * Services to help manage data and voice usage, AT&T Smart Limits for WirelessSM, AT&T Internet Parental Controls, AT&T U-verse® TV Parental Controls and more. AT&T Smart Controls also features discussion forums where visitors can chat about topics and share information with others; timely articles and educational resources on subjects such as identity theft, social networking safety and Wi-Fi security tips; as well as links to third-party experts, including government agencies, credit reporting bureaus, and more. 

“AT&T Smart Controls equips today’s consumers with some of the most important and timely digital safety information available,” said Stephen Balkam, CEO, Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). Organized by AT&T, FOSI participated in a focus group of online experts on the new website before it was rolled out. “Providing consumers with the tools and education to stay safe online is essential in today’s digital world; carriers like AT&T help further our efforts to make communications safer by creating sites like AT&T Smart Controls that help consumers make informed decisions about taking safety measures.”

Visit AT&T Smart Controls to learn more. 

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Thanks for posting that...if it weren't for you, we'd be the last to know.

Oct. 29, 2010 on Wireless:

http://forums.att.com/t5/AT-T-Smart-Controls-8480/AT-amp-T-Smart-Controls-sm-Stay-Connected-Stay-Saf...

I suppose this replaces Smart Limits that was just for Wireless?

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Looks like it's still smart limits for wireless along with new controls for TV and internet.  I thought parents would be very excited about this, because you can limit internet usage hours for the kids.  I have seen a number of message from parents asking about that feature.

I'm surprised that you are first one to respond to this message since I posted it.  I was beginning to assume that no one else those that these were as useful as I thought that they were.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

I always look for your useful announcement posts.

Someone on Wireless posted two days before ATT did on that forum.   And she was happy for the reason you stated.

Great resource for parents!

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

I thought those who have kids would have been doing back flips because of that one feature.  LOL

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Think the problem may be it isn't an ANNOUNCEMENT, but just a post (here and *there*).  

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

I know, other than you, no one reads my messages. 

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Don't think that's true!  They just don't comment or thank you like I do.

I nominate YOU to be in charge of ANNOUNCEMENTS for everything ATT!

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

I read your announcements.  I don't reply for the most part because they would usually be "Thanks for posting."  But they are useful and much appreciated.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

---

spd2demun wrote:

Don't think that's true!  They just don't comment or thank you like I do.

I nominate YOU to be in charge of ANNOUNCEMENTS for everything ATT!

---

Thanks!  I'm just observant, and I like to share the things that I discover because they may be of interest to others.

[michail77]

It interesting to see a provider offering these value added services.  Now if they added favorites and hide channel management to it they'd really make some people happy.

[oufanindallas]

Thanks TG. I do read your posts with great interest.  Not sure how much these services will be of use to me as I don't have AT&T wireless and my 2yo isn't quite ready for the internet yet.

[JefferMC ACE - Wizard]

I don't know if any of you have actually visited the new website.  There maybe some "active" content there for Wireless, but for TV it's just documentation on how to use the Parental Access Controls on the STB.

Personally, I'm underwhelmed.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

The biggest nugget that I saw were the parental controls for the internet.  I think parents will really like that feature.  I have seen several messages asking about those types of controls.

[JefferMC ACE - Wizard]

Yes, that does look useful, but was already available if you knew where to look.

Consolidating all this stuff "under one roof," is a good idea.  I guess I was just expecting that there was actually something new.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Which, again, leaves us wondering, where are the people who were complaining about NOT having that feature?

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

LOL.  I always notice that whenever you see a number of messages complaining about some programming or feature that U-verse lacks, when that programming or feature is added there seems to be silence.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

True.  But I did notice a few thanking ATT for bringing back the recently removed channels (who shall remain nameless).

[TexasEd]

Thanks, TG, for posting that info!  I think that site will be useful for those of us who are not real tech savvy and, as you say, parents who are at a loss for how to control their kids' internet or wireless access.  Personally, I'm glad my kids are grown and gone and I don't have to deal with social networking threats!  I think some forum members don't come by daily and may lose track of their infrequent posts, which may explain lack of follow-up on their issues.  Regardless, I really appreciate your efforts to keep us up-to-speed! 

[dhascall ACE - Professor]

TG, thanks for the informative post.  I always read your posts - now can I get a set of steak knives? 

At any rate as for the "Smart Controls" that would be a great way (online) to setup Favorites, Multiviews and Hide Channels.  It would be cool to specify what box that you are making the change on or universal (all boxes).

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Steak knives are on the way!  They make wonderful Christmas gifts.

[JefferMC ACE - Wizard]

I don't understand what the facination is with the steak knives.

I don't think they would cut very well and would feel very strange.  I think knives should be made out of metal, maybe with a nice wood, plastic or bone handle.  But never steak.