App users will no longer have to remember passwords, according to Twitter. A Twitter product for developers called “Digits” will allow users to log into apps with a phone number.
While most apps require an email address to log in, Digits lets you sign up for apps with phone numbers. By entering a phone number, selecting your country, and entering a one-time password in the app (sent via SMS), you're good to go.
Digits is part of Twitter Fabric, a “toolkit” designed to help developers build better, more, and more profitable apps. But it’s not really about Twitter. Digits is a standalone service that any developer can use.
The announcement came at the first Twitter Flight mobile developer conference in San Francisco. The company said Digits will be released in 216 countries and 28 languages for iOS, Android and the web later.
Digits solves a problem that every mobile user faces: the need to remember usernames and passwords – often long and complicated – to use an app. But companies can get creative, too. McDonald's is one of the first companies to use the service through its Alarm app. This allows friends to share coupons and offers with others. In order to redeem the offer, someone must prove they are a real person.
Developers will be able to integrate Digits into apps for free. It's unclear if and how Twitter plans to monetize Digits.
