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Latest iOS 9.2 beta turns all your Apple devices into phones with AT&T NumberSync

AT&T customers using iPhones will likely be the first to try AT&T NumberSync: A way for OS X and iOS devices to place and receive phone calls even if Airplane Mode is on for their handset.
Written by Kevin Tofel, Contributor
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Credit: 9to5 Mac

That didn't take long.

Last month, AT&T announced its NumberSync initiative; a way to route phone calls over Wi-Fi networks to computers and tablets. The feature is appearing this week in the latest iOS 9.2 beta 2 software.

9to5 Mac spotted and tested the feature after installing the iOS 9.2 beta 2 software on an iPhone.

The setup process looks simple and reminds me of how you enable Wi-Fi Calling on an AT&T iPhone. You'll need to verify your address for emergency 911 services before using NumberSync.

After configuring the function, your iPhone doesn't even need to be on AT&T's cellular network for you to accept or place calls on a supported Mac or iPad.

its testing, 9to5 Mac put a phone in Airplane Mode without any disruption in phone service on the secondary devices.

While this might sound like Continuity in iOS 9, which routes incoming calls to OS X and iOS tablets, it's slightly different.

Continuity relies on your iPhone to notify other devices over Wi-Fi when a call comes in, allowing you to have a conversation on the closest device at hand.

With AT&T NumberSync, it's AT&T that's doing the call notification and routing; handy for when your iPhone is off, missing or without any battery life.

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