In their latest "un-carrier" move, T-Mobile is bringing multiple numbers to a single device, and allowing customers to beta test it for free.
This week, T-Mobile began sending out invites to customers to beta test their newest service, Digits. I was one of the lucky few to test it out during the past week. Similar to Apple’s continuity feature, Digits is a service that allows users to either own multiple phone numbers on one device, or use their current phone number to call and text from almost any Internet-capable device.
The service is very identical to apps like Pinger and Google Voice, which provide you with an extra phone number to be used however you want. Sure, it’s a number provided to you by T-Mobile, is linked to your T-Mobile account, and works natively on some Samsung devices, but for every other user, iPhone or Android, it’s just weird and complicated. Like other T-Mobile apps, the Digits app is slow and looks like a glorified TextFree app.... Yeah, I said it.
But it would be unfair to write Digits off as just a glorified something, considering the program is still in beta and already shows signs of potential. Although there is no native integration with iMessage, T-Mobile has already made use of CallKit on the iPhone, allowing Digits calls to come in as elegant as normal phone calls.
Digits is currently in Beta, so expect things to change. It is unclear if this service will be included in customers’ plans, or will be an add-on feature you will have to pay for. It is a work-in-progress, and this is where T-Mobile’s customers’ come in. The un-carrier is actively seeking beta testers to take part in shaping the future of Digits, for when it launches to the public. Customers who want to try it out can sign up here.
