There were mixed reviews Thursday to news that Rogers Communications is launching a new wireless service. Rogers One Number allows users to extend their cellphone number onto their computer. Users can text and make phone calls on their non-mobile computers using the number associated with their wireless phones.

“Canadians have told us that with more and more technology, their lives have become more confusing and complicated. We now have a seamless and easy-to-use solution for them with Rogers One Number,” Rogers Communications executive vice president and chief marketing officer John Boynton said in a press release.

Rogers Communications announces a new service to unify users texts, emails, and calls.

Rogers said the service combines texts, calls and emails into a single inbox and syncs a user’s contacts across their phone and computer.

Winston Sih is a tech expert who got to beta-test the Rogers One Number service. He says he’s very impressed with the service.

“We run lives where we have multiple phone numbers, multiple emails, and many ways of communicating. Rogers One Number allows you to unify and have that one identify. It takes in your many phone numbers, your many emails, and all of your text messages into one place,” he told thedailyplanet.com on Thursday.

“I don’t understand what that offers that you wouldn’t get through a regular smartphone,” said Jeremy Brooks, a professor in the network support technician program at Humber College.

Brooks said he sees how Rogers One Number is offering a level of convenience, but said there is not really any new innovation being introduced.

Skype offers no-charge calling and users can text message from your computer already.

“It’s done usually through the portal that your ISP(Internet Service Provider) provides. It’s a client(program) you install on your computer,” he said.

Rogers hasn’t engineered new technologies with One Number, but Brooks said the purpose of the release is primarily to keep customers.

“They’re trying to keep you on their network. They want you to stay with Rogers for everything. They’ll give you a convenient login - nothing special there,” he said.
 

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