We already knew that some people think that 212 area codes are the "new rent-controlled apartments," "retro-chic," and platonic ideals of hipness. But are they cool enough to hoard? A record executive wanted a 212 area code so badly, he paid $3,000 for 100 of them. At least that's still better than paying $1 million for one. more ›

Let's have a warm round of applause for 929, the new digits for the so-called "outer boroughs." As you'll no doubt recall, last year the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) concluded that unless a new area code was provided for NYC, we would actual exhaust our supply in 2012, just as the Mayans predicted. And so began a "customer education" campaign to prepare everyone for the upcoming changes. Still feeling kind of anxious about these new numbers changing our lives forever? That's okay! We're going to be just fine—as long as you're not using a rotary telephone. You're not, are you? Because if so, this 929 going to take years off your life. more ›

The New York Public Service Commission has officially announced that come April 16th, New York City will be getting a sixth area code to join 212, 718, 646, 917 and 347. The new code, 929, has been assigned to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, and will require "all local calls within and between the 718 and 347 area codes and the new 929 area code to be dialed by using 1+10 digit dialing." This will just make the 212 area code that much cooler. more ›

Consider yourself very cool if you're one of the few New Yorkers who managed to snag a 212 area code on your cell phone, because some people will do nearly anything to shed themselves of the dreaded 917s, 718s 646s or 347s attached to their name. As Ashley Granata of fashion website Fashim told the Wall Street Journal, "212 numbers are the new rent-controlled apartments." Except, like most "old-school New York" trends, the coolness is based on myth. more ›

Rappers in the outer boroughs will soon have a new area code to rhyme stuff with. According to a press release, “929” will join “718” and the much-maligned “347” in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. That’s because all the existing phone numbers will be tapped out by 2012, reports Neustar. Wow, those went quick. more ›

A new area code will soon replace 718 and 347, which serve Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. Thanks to the ever-growing number of cellphone accounts, officials must establish a new three digit code before existing numbers run out for the boroughs in 2012, according to NY1. The digits themselves have not yet been selected. The new area code would be instated on an "overlay plan," meaning old numbers won't be reassigned to the new code. Oh 347, we hardly knew you. more ›

Move over, 646 and 347—there may be new area codes in town. CityRoom reports that the NY Public Service Commission (the same agency that oversees utilities like Con Ed) has issued a report with two options to deal with the shortage of potential 718 and 347 phone numbers to give out to folks for their cellphones, second cellphones, and whatever other devices. Option 1: "A new area code would be superimposed over the same geographic area covered by the existing 718/347 area codes," which covers all boroughs except Manhattan. Option 2: "A new area code would be superimposed over the same geographic area covered by the existing 718/347 area codes, as well as the area covered by the 212, 646 and 917 area codes," meaning the whole city would get the new area code. The PSC is accepting comments from the public. And apparently the 646 will run out of numbers by 2014! Remember when Elaine Benes tried to explain that it wasn't a NJ area code—"No, it's just like 212 except they multiplied every number by 3… and added 1 to the middle number." more ›