AppleInsider Staff
Apple is reportedly plannning to untether some of its Continuity features in iOS 9, working with mobile network operators to forward calls and text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad over the cell network.
This feature is already available to T-Mobile subscribers running the iOS 9 beta, according to The Verge. Removing Wi-Fi from the equation would allow users to take calls and send or receive SMS messages on their iPad, for instance, if they forgot their iPhone at home.
There is no word on what, exactly, carriers need to do to enable Continuity to run over their networks. It's also unclear whether carriers will charge extra for this functionality, as some do for Visual Voicemail or tethering.
Continuity, a suite of features designed to make for a smoother experience when using multiple Apple devices, was introduced in iOS 8. In addition to phone call and SMS capabilities, Continuity also encompasses Handoff — Â which allows users to start a task on one device and continue it on another — Â as well as smaller features, like the ability to automatically connect to an iPhone or iPad's personal hotspot.
Continuity has been widely praised since its release, and competitors have begun to follow Apple's lead. Samsung introduced its Flow competitor last November, while Microsoft will add similar features to Windows 10.
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
31 Comments
Removing Wi-Fi from the equation would allow users to take calls and send or receive SMS messages on their iPad, for instance, if they forgot their iPhone at home.
Does anyone forget their phone these days? Once, years ago, I forgot my phone. When I told a coworker, they gasped in disbelief.
I think a better feature (at least for T-Mobile users) is "wifi calling on other devices". Scenario: my house has bad cell reception, I use wifi calling to remedy, but I also want to answer incoming calls from my Mac or iPad. This is not possible in iOS 8 but works like a charm now!
Does anyone forget their phone these days? Once, years ago, I forgot my phone. When I told a coworker, they gasped in disbelief.
Just a context, man. I can see this works very well for people who have 2 iPhones (personal and work). They now can just forward all sms and calls to work phone instead of only calls as before. I saw many of my coworkers with 2 iPhones. They'll be thrilled for this.
Does anyone forget their phone these days? Once, years ago, I forgot my phone. When I told a coworker, they gasped in disbelief.
It doesn't have to be for when a phone is forgotten. I love answering/making phone calls from my iMac. Even though I have speakerphone, it's just nicer to not have to fiddle with my phone.
The only problem I have with it is if my call requires me to hit a dial-number (like automated menus), I can't do that on my iMac.. that I know of.
Wow Tmobile is first on this. Very good for them