Ever wanted someone to contact you but not wanted to give them your mobile number? No, me either, but if you did happen to answer yes, your prayers have been answered! Loaf is a new texting service that allows for you to send and receive texts without the recipient getting hold of your number. The way it works is quite simple; sign up free of charge on the Loaf website for your free Loaf username, register your mobile number and then where you would have originally given your mobile number to a person, simply give them your Loaf username.

Putting my scepticism to one side, there are actually some useful applications for this service. For instance, if you’re selling something on eBay or in a magazine or your local paper and want to provide contact details without giving away your personal mobile number, use your loaf. Personally I just keep a spare pay as you go sim card for this purpose but hey, each to their own. Loaf also list a wealth of other scenarios which would benefit the use of anonymous texting such as giving out your Loaf id to someone you meet out in a bar or for dating thanks to the handy block feature which allows you to block messages from a specific sender. I’m not sure how flattering it is to give someone your loaf id rather than your mobile number as surely this sends out the message “i like the look of you but am slightly concerned you will turn out to be a weirdo”.

Will it take off? Who knows, personally the idea of anonymous texting isn’t for me but at 25p per text sent, no charge for receiving and a relatively painless setup, it may be exactly what you’re missing from your mobile life.