Key difference -- Apple stood on stage and said point blank, "Thanks to our new Apple SIM, you can switch between any of these carriers whenever you want and use one SIM card." AT&T obviously agreed to those conditions at some point because they're on the list of carriers that support the Apple SIM. Now, clearly, after the device has launched, AT&T has changed their mind.
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AT&T Locking Apple Interchangeable SIMs in iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 [Updated]
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Key difference -- Apple stood on stage and said point blank, "Thanks to our new Apple SIM, you can switch between any of these carriers whenever you want and use one SIM card." AT&T obviously agreed to those conditions at some point because they're on the list of carriers that support the Apple SIM. Now, clearly, after the device has launched, AT&T has changed their mind.
Maybe. We'll see. My T-Mobile Test Drive phone arrives in a few days, and I've been an AT&T subscriber for 15 years. I'm tired enough of their crap to go through the hassle of switching carriers.
Are you sure they did? I thought the news of the Apple SIM only came after the initial announcement. And obviously Apple programmed iOS to display this message when AT&T was picked, so it's not like it was something AT&T just decided to start doing today.
I don't see what all the hate is about. It's probably a technical limitation on AT&T side. If you want to switch providers freely it sounds like you have T-Mobile and Sprint to choose from. I doubt this issue even affects 99% of people, and everyone here is making a big deal of something minor. Most people will be happy just having one cellular model to choose from, and not needing to worry about if a store has stock in the exact color, size, and carrier they are looking for.
I had this question when Apple first talked about this because afaik, sim cards have always been set up to be one and done - some carriers don't even let you reactivate a sim once you've gone to a new one, let alone erase the linkage in their system to an old number in order to put it on a new number...
That said, that doesn't at all explain why it wouldn't be able to be used with OTHER carriers.
That said, that doesn't at all explain why it wouldn't be able to be used with OTHER carriers.
I am confused. Is smartphone locking different from tablet locking? My two year iPhone 5 contract with AT&T expired. I asked ATT to unlock the phone. After ATT approved, the phone is unlocked by connecting it to iTunes then do a backup and restore. It seem the unlock changed something in the phone not the SIM card. Now the unlocked phone still works with ATT network.
So it seems this iPad unlock is not the same as the iPhone. The iPad is not locked. ATT just changed the SIM card so it is identifiable by ATT network.
So it seems this iPad unlock is not the same as the iPhone. The iPad is not locked. ATT just changed the SIM card so it is identifiable by ATT network.
iPads are never locked. the only exception to that is verizon had a special iPad 2.
however sprint makes you buy a sprint model
with apple sim and the iPad air 2 , sprint no longer makes you buy a sprint model.
with the iPad air 1 , sprint was willing to activate your iPad if you go through red tape.
You acted like you actually subscribed service for iPad...lol. Most people don't care because they use iPad Wifi and tether through their phones.
I can sorta see why AT&T is doing this. For start, you can not reuse an old post activated SIM with AT&T. Each time you want to transfer your number to a SIM, it has to be a never used AT&T SIM card. Don't know why, maybe its some kind of account theft prevention.
All we're losing out in this case is the Apple SIM. If you're going to switch over to VZW/T-Mobile, etc.. just get a new SIM from those carrier. Yes it's annoying, but its not the end of the world.
All we're losing out in this case is the Apple SIM. If you're going to switch over to VZW/T-Mobile, etc.. just get a new SIM from those carrier. Yes it's annoying, but its not the end of the world.
I have T-Mobile and like T-Mobile but, there are many areas I go where I have no connectivity. It doesn't matter how cheap it is or if you get free radio if you can't connect.
If you can connect with T-Mobile, it's the best plan. If you have spotty connections, it's not.
even if you have zero coverage i think paying NOTHING for 200 megabytes of free iPad data is still worth it.
maybe someone will steal your iPad and bring it to a tmobile 2G area and you will get it back
Who cares? Get another sim if you switch. You people act like you switch carriers daily. Very likely a system thing and they just don't want to reprogram stuff.
U realize ATT and Verizon are essentially the baby bells? Essentially a dulopy in this country.
I have T-Mobile and like T-Mobile but, there are many areas I go where I have no connectivity
If you can connect with T-Mobile, it's the best plan. If you have spotty connections, it's not.
T-Mo acknowledged the other day that they need to improve their network. That's really the only thing holding them back now.
They've already shown that their marketing can ripple the pond. They just need beef up the service.
Hopefully, now that they've stopped flirting with acquisitions, they will invest in their business as a standalone entity and eventually stand toe-to-toe with Big Blue and Big Red.
AT&T IS NOT LOCKING THE iPAD!
No, they're not, but they are doing proprietary damage to a universal SIM. Once it is AT&T it is not universal any more.
Yes. But when u add a layer (going to the store to get a sim). It functions as a deterrent to switch providers/carriers.
Like voter ID laws in the USA. It's a deterrent against people wanting to vote.
People wouod rather change carriers from comfort at their home without sales people tricking them into putting ipad sims on post paid plans ETc.
If Apple are charging for the SIM why should I pay for a replacement when it was advertised as a Universal SIM.
And you still can. They can mail you a SIM card. Are we really that short on sense anymore? Again I am pretty sure it's a system thing. You can't even put an existing number on a SIM card in old iPhone with ATT. It has to be moved to a brand new SIM card. My guess is it's a security thing.
Ummm The poster was talking about taking their iPad to London from the US. The local language in both countries is English in this case.
In Europe pre-pay SIMs are commonly available from airports and top up vouchers can be purchased from convenience stores or top ups can even be bought by going online with the SIM installed in the iPad. IIRC international credit/debit cards work just fine.
You are correct. We found out about the Apple SIM after the event. I was mistaken.
I would signup just to lock into the plan but then I would use a provider that worked.