According to a report from earlier today citing unnamed sources of SamMobile, Samsung is currently working on a new application designed to give users a wide range of parental control features. The app / service will apparently be known as “Family Care”, but as yet it is unclear when the company will be ready to release it to the public.
The aforementioned report makes mention of the application’s alleged main features and the way it will relay data between two connected smartphones. Apparently, users will have the option to install Family Care on multiple devices and pair them together using QR codes. This will allow parents to use their smartphone for setting parental control parameters to the other paired smartphones meant for their children. The application will feature the usual parental control options you would expect, including usage time and permissions for app installations. In addition, the app could also be used for setting notifications, reminders, and for requesting a pickup at the current time and location, or otherwise. Interestingly enough, the source claims that the application will also give parents the option of setting tasks for children through their connected devices, for example allowing parents to set schedules for homework and so on. In any case, the Family Care app should offer a slightly different experience across paired devices. The source mentions that once the pairing setup is complete, users will be able to interact with the Family Care applications through a user interface that revolves around cards. Information will be shared across both connected devices through these cards, but obviously, one device (the parent device) will have more privilege in the Family Care application than the other.
The source doesn’t have a lot of information in regards to the app’s stage of development, but mentions that development “is well underway”. However, it remains unclear if the so-called Family Care application will be ready (or planned) to debut along with the Samsung Galaxy S8 early next year, or if Samsung has any plans to making the service available on non-Galaxy devices or on wearables including the Samsung Gear S lineup. Needless to say, until Samsung makes an official announcement, all details above remain subject to change.