T-Mobile’s Dual-Mode Phone Nears Wi-Firific Release

T-Mobile is preparing to launch what it calls, “T-Mobile At Home” — a service that will allow customers to use one phone that will, as if by magic, switch between cell and Wi-Fi networks, depending on your location, the accessibility of a wireless network in the area, and how pretty you are. While this service isn’t groundbreaking and has already been provided by a few other companies in a few other countries, this is the first time it has been offered in the US — which officially validates the technology and makes it meaningful — take that, France.

As explained in what appears to be a crude picture of our mobile phone evolution on the left, the new phone would allow consumers to use the phone as regular cellphones are often used — but, when in range of a Wi-Fi network hotspot, the phone will automatically switch to that — saving you precious minutes and giving you better call quality.

T-Mobile will charge a basic, flat monthly fee for the new service which, besides having the obvious benefits, will also increase download speeds of games, wallpapers, and videos as well as possibly being able to retrieve voicemail messages via the internet. The service may even eventually be able to receive internet calls much like Skype does.

Perhaps not as useful in small towns as it will be in big cities, Wi-Fi hotspots are the key here — if your city is a veritable Wi-Fi web (we’re looking at you, San Francisc), then T-Mobile’s new phone will be a godsend — otherwise, there isn’t much reason to get it, besides cool-gadget bragging rights.

Watch the T-Mobile website like some sort of Wi-Fi hawk for more info.