Apple Still Fighting for Smaller SIM Card Standard for Future iPhones

[MacRumors]

Current micro-SIM (bottom right) punched out of a mini-size SIM card (top right)​

The Financial Times reports that Apple is up against rival smartphone makers over the next industry standard for miniaturized SIM cards. (via Engadget).

In May 2011, we reported that Apple had submitted a proposal for a standardized SIM Card design smaller than the micro-SIM currently used in the iPhone 4S and iPad. A smaller SIM card design would allow Apple to create smaller and thinner devices.

Other companies including Motorola, Research in Motion, and Nokia are pushing their own standards for these so-called "nano-SIM" cards.

Micro-Sims are already common in the latest generation of smart devices, such as Apple's iPhone 4S and Nokia's Lumia. The nano-Sim is thinner and about a third smaller than the micro-Sim, and would allow more space for other functions.

Apple is said to be already backed by "most of the European operators". Apple has reportedly taken some controversial steps to gain more votes in the final decision on proposals next week.

One of Nokia's objections to Apple's proposal is the use of a "drawer" to protect the nano-SIM card. The drawer design is seen on the iPhone 4S and iPad, allowing the user to eject the SIM from the side of the device.

Article Link: Apple Still Fighting for Smaller SIM Card Standard for Future iPhones

 

[GFLPraxis]

Too many standards! Decide on one instead of rolling out a new smaller one every year!

 

[Rennir]

Why are companies deciding the standards and not regulations bodies?

 

[Inakto]

Smaller sims are the way to go. Make way for more battery!

 

[mobilehaathi]

I want the internal sim card where i can switch carriers at will without swapping any parts.

 

[wikus]

So basically, Apple wants another frivolous patent and demand a crap load of money from *every single* OEM for every sold phone. Another means of control and monopoly, just like Microsoft back in the day. Someone should put an end to this horse hockey. I used to love Apple.. but that was 10 years ago, before Apple brainwashed everyone with the iPod marketing.

Apples business model: Take something, cut away the plastic, patent it, demand money and sue everyone.

My respect for Apple is decreasing every day.

Why are companies deciding the standards and not regulations bodies?

Because it pretty much was a standard until Apple tried to have its own way. You can thank Apple for this debacle.

Note: I expect this comment to be downranked into oblivion because any criticism against Apple on this forum is seen as some kind of mortal sin. That said, I'm not sorry for what any and every Apple zealot needs to hear. Why is this mindless devotion to a brand of such importance to so many??? I'm sure Guy Kawasaki would appreciate this kind of reality check.

 

[MacinDoc]

Sounds like Apple wants to be able to continue to use the drawer design. The opposing triumvirate's design may not be compatible with Apple's drawer and could potentially require a redesign of the iPhone (though not likely the current model).

 

[arn]

I want the internal sim card where i can switch carriers at will without swapping any parts.

Apple apparently proposed this (eSIM), but carriers said no.

arn

 

[realeric]

Apple should unlock iPhone first when contract ends.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Apple apparently proposed this (eSIM), but carriers said no.

arn

Yep, that's what i was thinking of, alas I can still hope....

 

[wikus]

Apple should unlock iPhone first when contract ends.

That's not really Apple's fault though, its a carrier issue. They request the phone and lock it. Apple doesn't have much say in that.

 

[Xtremehkr]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9B176 Safari/7534.48.3)

I imagine the only reason Nokia is objecting is because Microsoft are upset that Apple are leading and they're having to follow.

So far the Windows - Nokia alliance has really produced little of merit. Capable smart phones but nothing new or innovative. Microsofts strong suit continues to be aggressive marketing, not their products.

 

[Stridder44]

One of Nokia's objections to Apple's proposal is the use of a "drawer" to protect the nano-SIM card. The drawer design is seen on the iPhone 4S and iPad, allowing the user to eject the SIM from the side of the device.

Wait, what? Am I missing something? How is this design bad? Of all the manufacturers, I'd expect sensible Nokia to agree with the drawer design (or something like it).

 

[wikus]

Wait, what? Am I missing something? How is this design bad? Of all the manufacturers, I'd expect sensible Nokia to agree with the drawer design (or something like it).

Because Apple wants a PATENT on it which will force everyone to pay Apple even more money.

Basically, Apple wants *ZERO* competition.

 

[Crzyrio]

Wirelessly posted

So basically, Apple wants another frivolous patent and demand a crap load of money from *every single* OEM for every sold phone. Another means of control and monopoly, just like Microsoft back in the day. Someone should put an end to this horse hockey. I used to love Apple.. but that was 10 years ago, before Apple brainwashed everyone with the iPod marketing.

Apples business model: Take something, cut away the plastic, patent it, demand money and sue everyone.

My respect for Apple is decreasing every day.

Why are companies deciding the standards and not regulations bodies?

Because it pretty much was a standard until Apple tried to have its own way. You can thank Apple for this debacle.

Note: I expect this comment to be downranked into oblivion because any criticism against Apple on this forum is seen as some kind of mortal sin. That said, I'm not sorry for what any and every Apple zealot needs to hear. Why is this mindless devotion to a brand of such importance to so many??? I'm sure Guy Kawasaki would appreciate this kind of reality check.

Not down ranked cause of your critism but because your simply wrong.

Have you looked inside of an iPhone? Do you see how tightly packed everything is?

Even the a space of .0001 cms makes a huge difference to the designers and engineers. As technology progress's things are going to become smaller, what the point of making something sleeker and give it more funcinality if you have something as simple as a card size holding you back.

If anything this should have been done a long time ago, most of the sim card is a waste of space. The only part that is require is the golden part on the card. So why include the other useless plastic? For fun?

 

[rols]

Because Apple wants a PATENT on it which will force everyone to pay Apple even more money.

Basically, Apple wants *ZERO* competition.

Where does it say that Apple wants it patented? I didn't see that in the article.

 

[lilo777]

From a technical standpoint, why should a drawer be part of a SIM card standard? Does anybody think this makes any sense? If you want a drawer - use it. Others may prefer different design. The card should be compatible with all of them - just like it is now. The only reason for Apple to push for this stupid standard is to eliminate the design advantage that many competitor phones have now. With replaceable batteries, they obviously do not need any drawers. Apple does. If you want to have a replaceable battery AND still have to have a SIM card with a drawer, you introduce unnecessary parts to your design. And the way Apple is trying to achieve it - by buying seats in European Telecommunications Standards Institute - is just disgusting. Clear abuse of market power. 1984 anybody?

 

[wikus]

Wirelessly posted



Not down ranked cause of your critism but because your simply wrong.

Have you looked inside of an iPhone? Do you see how tightly packed everything is?

Even the a space of .0001 cms makes a huge difference to the designers and engineers. As technology progress's things are going to become smaller, what the point of making something sleeker and give it more funcinality if you have something as simple as a card size holding you back.

If anything this should have been done a long time ago, most of the sim card is a waste of space. The only part that is require is the golden part on the card. So why include the other useless plastic? For fun?

Believe me when I say this;

I *fully* agree with you that all the parts should be as small as possible, regardless of who is pushing for that.

I *don't* agree with it being Apple and trying to patent the damn thing so they can screw everyone else in the process. If the last couple years of litigation from Apple hasnt shown you theyve got some deep-seated vendetta against every other company, I don't know what will. I'm sick of all this crap Apple is trying to pull, it mirrors PERFECTLY what Microsoft was like in the 90s yet the Apple cult is completely in denial of the fact.

----------

And the way Apple is trying to achieve it - by buying seats in European Telecommunications Standards Institute - is just disgusting. Clear abuse of market power. 1984 anybody?

Image

Ironic how Jobs and co. tried to sell everyone on the idea of being against big brother in 1984... the actual year. Fast forward to today and they ARE big brother.

 

[lilo777]

Wirelessly posted



Not down ranked cause of your critism but because your simply wrong.

Have you looked inside of an iPhone? Do you see how tightly packed everything is?

Even the a space of .0001 cms makes a huge difference to the designers and engineers. As technology progress's things are going to become smaller, what the point of making something sleeker and give it more funcinality if you have something as simple as a card size holding you back.

If anything this should have been done a long time ago, most of the sim card is a waste of space. The only part that is require is the golden part on the card. So why include the other useless plastic? For fun?

Exactly. And now Apple wants to add another useless part - a drawer. Why? Keep it small. Sure, some companies (like Apple) do not know how to install SIM card without a drawer but others have no problem with this.

 

[spillproof]

Where does it say that Apple wants it patented? I didn't see that in the article.

In the actual Financial Times article it said:

All handset makers would be able to use the design chosen under licence but the Apple-led proposal has caused some concern among its rivals that the US group might eventually own the patents

making wikus correct in his judgment.

 

[Dionte]

Only thing I like obout the sim card is the ability to switch carries. Otherwise I'd say get rid of it and make it a micro sd card slot instead.

 

[rivertrip]

From a technical standpoint, why should a drawer be part of a SIM card standard? Does anybody think this makes any sense? If you want a drawer - use it. Others may prefer different design. The card should be compatible with all of them - just like it is now. The only reason for Apple to push for this stupid standard is to eliminate the design advantage that many competitor phones have now. With replaceable batteries, they obviously do not need any drawers. Apple does. If you want to have a replaceable battery AND still have to have a SIM card with a drawer, you introduce unnecessary parts to your design. And the way Apple is trying to achieve it - by buying seats in European Telecommunications Standards Institute - is just disgusting. Clear abuse of market power. 1984 anybody?

Image

The article is poorly written. The wording is consistent with both Apple insisting on a drawer and Nokia wanting a design that makes a drawer impossible. It's also possible that neither claim is correct.

 

[ombrenelcielo]

Wait, what? Am I missing something? How is this design bad? Of all the manufacturers, I'd expect sensible Nokia to agree with the drawer design (or something like it).

Apparently you don't have to switch sims so often.

 

[lilo777]

The article is poorly written. The wording is consistent with both Apple insisting on a drawer and Nokia wanting a design that makes a drawer impossible. It's also possible that neither claim is correct.

Perhaps. I have read about it on other site and it looks like Apple proposal may not technically include the drawer but their SIM card design is such that it would be impossible to accommodate without using a drawer whereas Nokia's design is better (in their opinion) in that it can be used without a drawer. This interpretation changes the technical perspective a little but not the methods that Apple is using to achieve their goals.

 

[root42]

First of all, a full sized SIM card is the one shown *left* in the image. A mini SIM card is the one broken out of it, and Apple made a micro SIM card by again braking something out.

Second, a SIM card has its merits. If I travel abroad or maybe do some sports activity, where my iPhone might break, I might want to take some other phone compared to my iPhone with me. I can easily equip that other phone with my SIM card. Yes, this would also be possible with an electronic SIM, but just swapping a piece of plastic is a very simple thing that even non-tech savvy people can do.