Wow factor.

To be the first to offer a phone number into a virtual world where you can phone in to a specific person (avatar)?

It seems to be about the technology, whether it's useful isn't really the question. Someone somewhere will find a use for it. Cell phones are not necessary, but they are convenient.

So I am a professor giving a lecture in-worl to my students scattaered across the planet in my virtual university classroom and my wfe needs to get a-hold of me. Or my boss, or my assistant or...whatever.

?

:)

It's about )Linden Lab) being first on the block to offer (apparently useful/needed/wanted) technology not known to be available anywhere else.

Well, that's my take on it.

I do remember last year's Linden lab survey to premium account holders all about this idea. I remember some of the questions asking the importance of this feature and what I thought (how strongly agree to strongly disagree) about it being free for premium account holders as a value-add and several other questions, including whether I'd be willing to pay for the service and how.

So this is something they've been working on and talking about (internally at least) for a couple years.

Okay - all just my own deductive reasoning. I could be so far off the mark I'll find myself floating away from the milke-way. :)