A new app out there for the iPhone allows you to create a temporary number that routes to your real phone number and can be set to stop working (or “burn”) after a set amount of time. The $1.99 Burner app comes with enough credits to create a temporary phone number called a “mini-burner” that expires after 20 minutes of talk time, 60 text messages, or after 7 days. Users are given the option to “burn” it sooner if they choose to. Here, inbound and outbound calls use up your actual phone plan minutes and/or texts, but the actual identity of the caller and callee are kept private. Users can then buy more credits in various tiers starting at 3 for $1.99. These credits are used to buy burner numbers of different lengths, or to extend burners you’re currently using.
The developers of the service consider it to be perfect for dating, job searches, short-term projects, craigslist transactions, or other times when you want to maintain a little privacy. It’s not meant to be used for 911 or other emergency calls and it should also be noted that Burner numbers don’t support MMS, only SMS.
The thing that makes the Burner service (which is similar to Google Voice) unique is the fact that the phone/text number is temporary. It should be a given that the service isn’t meant to be used to do anything illegal or something that might put you in danger if the caller finds out your true identity, but rather used for maintain anonymity. The control the app gives users when it comes the number from within the app itself is ideal to keep yourself from having to deal with things such as annoyance, creepiness, and stalking.
Users who are interested in utilizing the service can download the app from the App Store for the aforementioned price of $1.99.
Source: App Store via BoingBoing
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