AT&T NumberSync Assigns One Phone Number To All Your Mobile Devices

We've sure come a long way since cell phones exploded in popularity. It used to invoke a great feeling to hold out that flip-phone and admire its sheer awesomeness. Today? Most would laugh at those older devices. Now, we have super advanced smartphones that can do everything from take great pictures to play videos to check your heart rate. And, as if that wasn't enough, we've since piled on tablets, smartwatches, and many other smart devices or wearables.

With so much personal fragmentation like this, it can be a bit frustrating that if someone calls you, and you happen to be nowhere near your phone, you're not going to know about it. Wouldn't it be nice to leave the house for a jog and be able to rely entirely on your smartwatch for important calls or messages?

Flickr: jamesjustin

AT&T hears you loud and clear. With its soon-to-roll-out NumberSync service, you'll be able to receive calls and texts on any device that is supported by the company's network. That includes, of course, smartphones, as well as tablets and smartwatches. AT&T gives these useful examples of where NumberSync can come in handy:

• You will no longer need a fitness band and your smartphone to stay connected when you go for a run.
• Forget your phone on the way to the store? You won't have to turn around to be able to ask your spouse if eggs should be on your list.
• Stay connected with your friends on the soccer field on Saturday afternoon even if your phone is in the car.
• And you can text your boss from across campus when your phone is sitting on your desk and she will know it is you.

This all sounds good. So good, in fact, that it's inevitable that competitors are going to follow AT&T's lead - something we're already seeing happen. After AT&T's announcement was made, both T-Mobile and Sprint reached out to Re/code to say that their own solutions are en route. T-Mobile's Mike Sievert even makes a promise: "What we are working on will make this version one offering from AT&T look small."

Oh T-mo, will you ever leave the big T alone?

NumberSync is expected to become available before the end of the year.