Twitter introduces login to apps and web with phone number

Twitter has released new development tools. One of the new features is Digits, which developers can build into their apps and let users log in with their phone number. This should be an alternative to logging in via Facebook, Google or Twitter accounts.

Digits is part of Fabric; a set of new development tools for mobile app makers, Twitter created known during its developer conference Flight. The technique of using the phone number should make it easier for users to log into websites and apps because there is no need to remember a username and password. In order to log in via the Digits service, a confirmation must be issued once via a text message.

Twitter states that using Digits is easier than existing login methods that work via social networking sites, for example via Facebook, Google or Twitter itself. Because the phone number is used, users do not have to fear that things will be posted on social networking sites in their name. In addition, a telephone number is universal: Digits is therefore immediately available in all countries and it also works on Android, iOS and the web.

In addition to Digits, Fabric contains a number of new things. For example, there is the analysis software Crashlytics and the advertising manager MoPub. Twitter offers software kits from these two companies to help users create better apps and monetize them. Earlier there were rumors that Twitter would come with such tools.

There is also the Twitter Kit: this should make it easier to embed tweets in other apps or on the web, and the drafting of Twitter messages from other apps has been improved. Twitter Kit also ensures that logging in to apps and websites via a Twitter account is simplified.

Fabric has already been made available to the developers who attended the Flight meeting. In the near future, the tools should be made available to all developers.