T-Mobile Confirms Support For iOS 8's Wi-Fi Calling Feature On iPhone

Not long after Apple subtly announced that Wi-Fi calling would launch as part of iOS 8, T-Mobile updated its corporate blog to confirm that it'll indeed be supporting Wi-Fi calling on its network. The news from Apple originally came in the form of its usual "under-the-radar" iOS update slide, in which Cupertino listed a bunch of features added in iOS 8 which weren't offered dedicated stage time. Among these more minor changes were per app battery information and a time-lapse mode for the Camera app. Though Apple didn't elaborate on Wi-Fi calling during its keynote, T-Mobile -- the United States' so-called "uncarrier" -- confirmed its support for the feature in a corporate blog post. There, chief marketing officer Mike Sievert said:

One of the best things about T-Mobile Wi-Fi Calling is that it’s so simple to use. You don’t need to activate anything or download a special app. Just connect to any available Wi-Fi network, check that Wi-Fi Calling is turned on on your capable smartphone, and make a call (or send a text, email, etc.) as you normally would. That’s it.

Apple indeed launched FaceTime Audio last year, offering iOS device users a way of placing Wi-Fi calls using the FaceTime protocol. Wi-Fi calling, however, is far more intuitive and easier to use for owners of compatible smartphones. Of course, the feature also results in clearer, more reliable audio, it's more battery efficient, and it frees up the carrier's network for data access, as MacRumors rightly notes. Apple's iOS 8 beta 1 is available for registered developers right now, and it's expected to launch publicly in fall (alongside a revamped iPhone handset). For a recap of all of yesterday's WWDC news, be sure to check our dedicated roundup post. We'll have more news concerning T-Mobile later this month, when the network is set to hold its "Uncarrier 5.0" press event. In the meantime, see: OmniOutliner For iPad Gains TextExpander Support And More With 2.1 Update, Apple Brings A Time-Lapse Feature To The Camera App With iOS 8, and AppAdvice International: Apple Maps For China, Eco-Efforts In Japan.