Roger Fingas
A small but significant addition for Verizon iPhone subscribers in the iOS 10.3 beta is the ability to make and answer calls from any iCloud-connected device, including Macs, iPads, iPods, and the Apple Watch.
The option, enabled through the "Calls on Other Devices" section of the Phone menu in the iOS Settings app, was highlighted in tips received by AppleInsider as well as MacRumors. Verizon is the last of the four major U.S. carriers to support the technology, which is also offered by some prepaid brands and a few international carriers.
Once the feature is active, users can toggle which devices are able to accept iCloud calls, routed through Wi-Fi. If configured properly the feature will work regardless of whether or not an iPhone is nearby or even on.
The first iOS 10.3 beta was issued to developers yesterday, and makes some other substantial changes including the switch to the Apple File System, the addition of a Find My AirPods app, and a better reviews infrastructure.
Developers, for instance, will be able to respond to user reviews, while customers should eventually see fewer ratings pop-ups or be able to block them entirely.
It's not clear when the finished version of iOS 10.3 will be ready, but as one of Apple's more important point releases, the company will likely seed at least four or five betas before wrapping up.
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12 Comments
AT&T calls this "NumberSync". I didn't realize until a few days ago that this technology even existed - I though the closest thing was Continuity/Handoff/whatever that routed calls through the iPhone from other Apple devices (therefore requiring the iPhone be on and on the same network as the other devices). I stumbled across it while poking around in the settings on my iPhone a few days ago. Once configured, I can now use my Apple Watch, iMac, MacBook Pro, or iPad to send and receive calls even if my iPhone is off or not on the same network. Pretty nifty little "new to me" feature. :)
Now that IS innovation. And, besides enrolling your devices with some service (Google Voice, Hangouts, others) that's really not something that Android can do. And they couldn't support tablets or watches, etc, easily or well.
Sounds like a pretty big addition to me !
That not is new for Verizon iPhone it always been there, I used it a lot
T Mobile has had this for a while, too. Really nice when you can't get signal in big buildings but have a wifi signal. T Mobile was the first to allow this. Not sure why verizon took so long. Mobile minutes haven't been an issue or significant revenue source for a while, so it's not like it's costing them anything