Apple Offers Royalty-Free Patent Licenses to Push Proposed Nano-SIM Standard

[Chupa Chupa]

There are non its just that other companies are terrified of Apple right now.

If that were true they'd just tell every iPhone carrier worldwide they are using these SIMs in future iOS devices and they'd better support them. Then the carriers would fall in line and tell all the other phone manufacturers that they'd better use them too. Then Apple would charge royalties to all the manufactures.

Obviously that isn't happening.

 

[lilo777]

Still missing the catch

Do you know what the phrase "but there's a catch" even means? Your irrelevant link tells me you don't....

Sometimes people are clueless. It's you who does not understand what "catch"means in this context. Offering worthless patent (on a shape of a piece of cardboard) in exchange for real tech patents (3G) is a classic catch.

 

[thermopyle]

I'm going to be absolutely disgusted with Apple if they come out with a mini version of their connector. I understand the current one being used still; they were using that long before miniUSB became standard (in a time when no standard existed), so it's legit for them to continue doing so. Switching to some proprietary new format when miniUSB has become standard, however, would just be a for-profit move that inconveniences everybody. There's absolutely no legitimate reason to come up with a completely new format at this point.

 

[Xenomorph]

What's the point of smaller SIM if it needs a tray to hold it?

What does this even mean? All the SIM card slot designs on the iPhones used tray, regardless of size of the SIM.

The smaller card means smaller tray, which means more room for other fun stuff like better internal components.

I'm a fan of the smaller SIM allowing for bigger "other stuff", but I'm not a fan of the fact I now have multiple phones that take multiple SIM card sizes. I ended up buying some some adapters off eBay.

 

[jhende7]

I would rather not having to hook up the phone to a computer to "download" the SIM information. It's just much simplier to swap SIM card if needed without downloading anything. You mean the SIM holder on the iPhone is an eyesore? And software-based SIM card won't lock you into a contract? I can take my SIM card right now, and place it into ANY carrier-compatible phone, and it'll work right away. No software. No downloading. Works on dumbphone too.

You sound like my Grandpa going on about how his 32 inch tube tv is just as good as these new fangled HDTVs.

A couple decades down the road, the notion of SIMs (as we have them today) will be ridiculous. It will be like when our parents told us about the times well before TV, or more recently the internet.

Remember when cell phones had extendable antennas? Very useful for getting 2 inches closer a reciever 10 km away!

Your thinking way to inside the box my friend! I'm afraid you'd never make it as an Apple engineer.

 

[lilo777]

What's the point of smaller SIM if it needs a tray to hold it?

What does this even mean?

Let me help you here. When Apple offers to reduce the size of a SIM card but then requires the use of a drawer this negates the original purpose because the size of a nano-SIM with a drawer is the same or bigger than the size of a micro-SIM (without a drawer). And remember, not all phone designs use drawers.

 

[garylapointe]

The SIM "CARD" is one of the greatest inventions in mobile technology? Are you kidding me? Perhaps a great invention for the purpose of locking consumers into contracts?

The only way I've ever seen the cellular SIMs as being useful, is traveling internationally and just purchasing a pay as you go SIM locally by pulling your card out. Yes, as Apple customers, we don't have that option (by default) but that's not the norm.

Never had any SIM issues when I was with Sprint PCS at all. (To be clear, Sprint didn't originally use SIMs)

Gary

 

[TallManNY]

How much smaller would this nano sim be? The current card is already "wafer thin". Can someone do the calculation about cubic space saved by having a nano sim? If we still have a tray that mush have a spring and be robust enough to be a moving part, there won't be a ton of space savings as compared to going "simless". Once we have the size savings, we can compare that to total volume of an iPhone. For fun and a sense of rediculousness, we could also compare this to the total volume of an iPad. I don't think length or width of an iPhone is getting any smaller anytime soon, so at most this might help the iPhone be a touch thinner. But I suspect Apple could save a heck of a lot more space on their iPhone by replacing the Gorilla glass on the back with impact resistant plastic (while also reducing the need for a case).

I like the idea of a sim card that allows flipping in a prepaid sim card for cheap local usage during travel. Though I confess I don't travel that much so I've only done this twice. Still the theory is nice and I suspect it fits with a lot of people's lifestyle, especially out of the U.S. where travel to another country is a lot more frequent.

 

[jhende7]

Sometimes people are clueless. It's you who does not understand what "catch"means in this context. Offering worthless patent (on a shape of a piece of cardboard) in exchange for real tech patents (3G) is a classic catch.

Hilarious!

A) That you have such in depth knowledge of Apple's nano SIM specs that you can confirm that it is simply them cutting a piece of cardboard with squiggly scissors into a cool and small new shape.

b) That you think freeing up the archaic 3G patent trove under more open, equitable and fair terms is "a catch"

Good try through!

 

[yg17]

The SIM "CARD" is one of the greatest inventions in mobile technology? Are you kidding me? Perhaps a great invention for the purpose of locking consumers into contracts?

You have the option of buying a full price unlocked phone from a retailer and a pay as you go SIM from any GSM (by GSM, I mean GSM/UMTS/HSPA/LTE - technologies of the same family that use SIMs) carrier and you won't be locked in any contract. If you don't like your carrier, buy a SIM from another one and put it in your phone.

That's harder to do on SIM-less CDMA carriers where you have to buy a phone from them. They might let you pay full price and sign up without a contract. I'm not sure. But you have to buy the phone from them, you don't get to choose from the vast selection of unlocked GSM phones out there and your phone can't usually be used on another CDMA carrier.

It's even harder to pull off in the US where 2 of the 4 major carriers are CDMA and the other two GSM carriers don't even use the same frequencies for 3G. But in Europe, it's more practical. Plus people in the US like getting phones for dirt cheap in exchange for a two year contract.

For being a tangible external eyesore and pain in the a**?

The SIM in most phones is underneath the battery cover. In the Phone, it's hidden away inside a tray. Put a bumper or case on your phone and you won't even see the tray. What phone are you using where the SIM is an external eyesore?

For holding back new phone designs for the last 15 years?

15 year old phone with a SIM card:

Recent phone with a SIM card:

Yup, looks like design has been held back thanks to the SIM card.

No, the SIM Card * (in it's current form) is not an innovation in my eyes. It's whole purpose could be easily generated through software to provide a more sophisticated, but user friendly application.

Hmm, what's more user friendly. Swapping a card between two phones which doesn't even take a minute. Or, installing software/drivers on your computer, then plugging your phone into a computer, then opening said software, then doing whatever's required in said software to update your phone.

Even my parents who are computer illiterate can swap a SIM card between two phones.

20 years from now people will be laughing at the notion of us sticking little pieces of cardboard into the side of our phones to make them work. Frankly, it's ridiculous, archaic and not fit for the 21st century.

I think in 20 years, we'll still be using SIM cards and laughing at your post.

 

[garylapointe]

And remember, not all phone designs use drawers.

No, many just put it in the battery compartment. Whoops, we can't do that

Gary

 

[faroZ06]

This is good. Apple is trying to set the standards in ports.

 

[Daveoc64]

I would rather not having to hook up the phone to a computer to "download" the SIM information. It's just much simplier to swap SIM card if needed without downloading anything. You mean the SIM holder on the iPhone is an eyesore? And software-based SIM card won't lock you into a contract? I can take my SIM card right now, and place it into ANY carrier-compatible phone, and it'll work right away. No software. No downloading. Works on dumbphone too.

Indeed.

I can put a different SIM in my iPhone in seconds and switch between any of the UK carriers (and regularly do)

That just wouldn't be possible without a SIM.

The current system that doesn't use SIMs is incredibly closed (i.e. CDMA, where the carriers don't let you use your phone on their network).

 

[garylapointe]

15 year old phone with a SIM card:

Recent phone with a SIM card:

Yup, looks like design has been held back thanks to the SIM card.

For the record, the smaller phone that you chose to illustrate this, used the micro-sim card. Not the same size card at all.

(It's not like I'm complaining the photos aren't to scale...)

Gary

 

[yg17]

For the record, the smaller phone that you chose to illustrate this, used the micro-sim card. Not the same size card at all.

Yep, I know. Same basic principle, and the micro SIM is just a SIM with the extra plastic chopped off.

 

[lilo777]

No, many just put it in the battery compartment. Whoops, we can't do that

Gary

Exactly. And remember that SIM cards are used not just in smart phones (that cost hundreds of dollars) but in dumb phones too. Those phones cost just a few bucks and requirement to use a drawer in them makes design unnecessary complex and expensive.

 

[garylapointe]

Indeed.

I can put a different SIM in my iPhone in seconds and switch between any of the UK carriers (and regularly do). That just wouldn't be possible without a SIM.

The current system that doesn't use SIMs is incredibly closed (i.e. CDMA, where the carriers don't let you use your phone on their network).

But when I travel to a country with my iPhone I can use my phone without changing the SIM, it's called international roaming. I don't need to change my SIM for that. I just need a compatible system for for that.

Changing the SIM just lets me be on their network (usually cheaper). If they could work out better protocols between countries/networks would we need the SIM. It's not like there is cellular tower circuitry in the SIM card...

Gary

 

[lilo777]

For the record, the smaller phone that you chose to illustrate this, used the micro-sim card. Not the same size card at all.

(It's not like I'm complaining the photos aren't to scale...)

Gary

For the record, Samsung phones (Galaxy SII) are even thinner than iPhone and they use regular SIM card.

----------

But when I travel to a country with my iPhone I can use my phone without changing the SIM, it's called international roaming. I don't need to change my SIM for that. I just need a compatible system for for that.

Changing the SIM just lets me be on their network (usually cheaper). If they could work out better protocols between countries/networks would we need the SIM. It's not like there is cellular tower circuitry in the SIM card...

Gary

International roaming is for suckers. Changing a SIM card for a local one is a much cheaper solution.

 

[jmgregory1]

I'm going to be absolutely disgusted with Apple if they come out with a mini version of their connector. I understand the current one being used still; they were using that long before miniUSB became standard (in a time when no standard existed), so it's legit for them to continue doing so. Switching to some proprietary new format when miniUSB has become standard, however, would just be a for-profit move that inconveniences everybody. There's absolutely no legitimate reason to come up with a completely new format at this point.

Different thread issue, but I'll bite on this one. I hate mini USB, but I also hate the 30 pin. There has to be a better way of connecting to both power and for data transfer. Whether Apple comes up with the solution or someone else, there has to be a better way. I've heard rumors of a mag-safe style connector, which sounds like a great idea, if it can be done. The iPhone/iPad,iPod should have a more sealed case and eliminate the male to female pin connectors altogether.

 

[jhende7]

The SIM in most phones is underneath the battery cover. In the Phone, it's hidden away inside a tray. Put a bumper or case on your phone and you won't even see the tray. What phone are you using where the SIM is an external eyesore?

Put a bumper on? My argument revolves around making things more aesthetically pleasing, and your solution is to put a bumper on it? Really!? Not to mention all the valuable internal space that's being taken up?

Yup, looks like design has been held back thanks to the SIM card.

Did I say it has halted design breakthroughs or has held them back? Reading comprehension is key my friend.

Hmm, what's more user friendly. Swapping a card between two phones which doesn't even take a minute. Or, installing software/drivers on your computer, then plugging your phone into a computer, then opening said software, then doing whatever's required in said software to update your phone.

Even my parents who are computer illiterate can swap a SIM card between two phones.

Drivers......Software...hooking up to a computer....plugging phone in?

Again, your thinking like a Geeky Google or Microsoft engineer. Your thinking, how would this be possible with today's technology without the elaborate need to do a bunch of complicated stuff.

I see a future where I buy a phone that has SIM functionality built right in. I pull it out of the box, turn it on and it automatically detects where I am and what available carriers I can use. I choose my carrier SIM (digitally) and am on my way. If I travel, again, the iPhone will show me which carriers are available to me and I once again digitally purchase the SIM and am on my way.

You have fun pulling out your blackberry battery and swapping SIMS though (if they are around in 20 years). I'm sure you'll get some good chuckles from surrounding people!

 

[scoobydoo99]

Why don't they use a device to load the data stored in the SIM directly on the iPhone? It would be surely more painless than changing a 14-year old standard, and could provide a smart way to prevent iTheft.

and you're the Verizon guy !

You will be well-served by doing a little research on the features and benefits of SIM cards.

kyj and Mister: you would both be well served by trying to understand that gpat's suggestion is valid and has been considered by Apple. There are no "features" of the removable sim card that can't be replicated without one.

Asked and answered....
Here: https://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/27/apple-developing-custom-built-in-sim-card-for-iphone/

and here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/db917464-f344-11df-a4fa-00144feab49a.html#axzz1qEfiVYgL

and here: https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+sim+built+in

So your support for assailing gpat's comment is a list of links outlining how Apple has pursued EXACTLY what he is recommending? It's like Alanis Morissett and O Henry had a baby and named it YOUR EXACT COMMENT.

The SIM "CARD" is one of the greatest inventions in mobile technology? Are you kidding me? Perhaps a great invention for the purpose of locking consumers into contracts? For being a tangible external eyesore and pain in the a**? For holding back new phone designs for the last 15 years?

No, the SIM Card * (in it's current form) is not an innovation in my eyes. It's whole purpose could be easily generated through software to provide a more sophisticated, but user friendly application.

20 years from now people will be laughing at the notion of us sticking little pieces of cardboard into the side of our phones to make them work. Frankly, it's ridiculous, archaic and not fit for the 21st century.

Word.

You sound like my Grandpa going on about how his 32 inch tube tv is just as good as these new fangled HDTVs.

A couple decades down the road, the notion of SIMs (as we have them today) will be ridiculous. It will be like when our parents told us about the times well before TV, or more recently the internet.

Remember when cell phones had extendable antennas? Very useful for getting 2 inches closer a reciever 10 km away!

Your thinking way to inside the box my friend! I'm afraid you'd never make it as an Apple engineer.

+1

 

[Born2run45]

You have the option of buying a full price unlocked phone from a retailer and a pay as you go SIM from any GSM (by GSM, I mean GSM/UMTS/HSPA/LTE - technologies of the same family that use SIMs) carrier and you won't be locked in any contract. If you don't like your carrier, buy a SIM from another one and put it in your phone.

That's harder to do on SIM-less CDMA carriers where you have to buy a phone from them. They might let you pay full price and sign up without a contract. I'm not sure. But you have to buy the phone from them, you don't get to choose from the vast selection of unlocked GSM phones out there and your phone can't usually be used on another CDMA carrier.

It's even harder to pull off in the US where 2 of the 4 major carriers are CDMA and the other two GSM carriers don't even use the same frequencies for 3G. But in Europe, it's more practical. Plus people in the US like getting phones for dirt cheap in exchange for a two year contract.


The SIM in most phones is underneath the battery cover. In the Phone, it's hidden away inside a tray. Put a bumper or case on your phone and you won't even see the tray. What phone are you using where the SIM is an external eyesore?


15 year old phone with a SIM card:

Recent phone with a SIM card:

Yup, looks like design has been held back thanks to the SIM card.



Hmm, what's more user friendly. Swapping a card between two phones which doesn't even take a minute. Or, installing software/drivers on your computer, then plugging your phone into a computer, then opening said software, then doing whatever's required in said software to update your phone.

Even my parents who are computer illiterate can swap a SIM card between two phones.


I think in 20 years, we'll still be using SIM cards and laughing at your post.

If we are using SIM cards in 20 years it will be because they are implanted into our brains.

 

[JHankwitz]

lol.

LTE was here first and a greater percentage of the population is using it.

So, you're saying that being the first and the most used makes it the best choice? I think not!

 

[elmo151]

why not?

what is the impact on older devices?

 

[Gasu E.]

Sarcasm is clearly misplaced here. The catch is described in the original article. Apple offers its patent for free on condition that others will stop charging for their FRAND patents. They probably believe that the patent of a shape of a piece of cardboard is equally important as the patents on 3G etc. The most disgusting part here is that in order to make their patent a standard Apple are buying seats on the standard body.

You have not seen the original letter from Apple-- all you have seen is a summary statement from Foss Patents. And Foss Patents, having actually seen the original letter, clearly interprets it differently from you. So you've decided to willfully misinterpret some slightly ambiguous language from a secondary source in order to draw a pre-determined conclusion.