Use the Apple Store app to alert you when it's time to upgrade

Apple released on Tuesday a small update to its Apple Store app for the iPhone. The update added the ability to add your wireless account to the app and receive an alert once your line is eligible for an upgrade.

Adding your account to receive upgrade alerts only takes a few seconds. Before you add your account, you'll need to know the last four digits of the account holder's Social Security number, the billing ZIP code, and the account password. At least this was the information I needed for a Verizon account; your experience may vary.

• To add your account to the app, you'll need to grab the update for the latest version of the Apple Store app. Once you have the update installed, launch the app and tap on the "More" tab. Then select "Notifications" from the list.

• Slide the switch next to Upgrade Notifications to the "On" position. You'll then be prompted to enter the account information mentioned at the beginning of the article (pictured below).

After verifying your account information, you'll be taken back to the Notifications screen. Then when your number is eligible for an upgrade, you'll receive an alert from the app.

The goal, obviously, is to receive an alert from the app and then purchase a shiny new iPhone from your not-as-shiny iPhone.

This definitely makes it easier then calling your carrier and asking when you're eligible to upgrade, forgetting the date a few months later, and then having to call back in. This feature only available in the U.S. at this time.