T-Mobile has just announced a new service called Bobsled and that's worth getting excited about. Why? Because it means that you can make free voice calls through Facebook — even if you're not a T-Mobile customer.
Here's how it works.
All you need to do is log into your Facebook account, go to the Bobsled app page, and follow the instructions there to download a browser plug-in. Once you've done that, you'll notice little phone icons next to your friends' names on the Facebook Chat friend list and within chat windows. Click on those icons and you'll be able to initiate voice calls.
Simple as can be, right? No extra sign-ins, no separate applications, nothing. Just one click within the Facebook Chat windows and you've initiated a call.
If your friends don't have the Bobsled app installed, they'll receive links which'll enable them to take your calls without downloading or installing Bobsled. And if they're unavailable — or just plain ignoring your calls — then you can leave them a private or public voice message.
If this ability to place calls directly through Facebook isn't exciting enough for you, then perhaps T-Mobile's future plans will make your ears perk up:
In the near future, T-Mobile plans to evolve Bobsled by T-Mobile to include video chat, the ability to place VoIP calls to mobile and landline U.S. numbers, and will offer applications on smartphones and tablets across various mobile platforms, regardless of the carrier that powers such devices.
You should be able to try out Bobsled right now by heading to this page. If you prefer to read more about it instead, you can check out T-Mobile's Bobsled site.
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Rosa Golijan writes about tech here and there. She's a bit obsessed with Twitter and loves to be liked on Facebook.