Apple vs. Nokia, RIM and Motorola On Nano-SIM Standard 144
angry tapir writes "Next week, two proposals for a new, smaller SIM card, dubbed nano-SIM — one backed by Apple and the other by Nokia, Research In Motion and Motorola Mobility — will go head-to-head as ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute) decides which card future smartphones and tablets will use. Measuring approximately 12 millimeters by 9 millimeters, the new SIM will be about 30 percent smaller than the micro-SIM. The thickness of the cards has been reduced by about 15 percent, according to Giesecke & Devrient. The nano-SIM is also approximately 60 percent smaller than traditional-size SIM cards."
Too small (Score:5, Insightful)
After a certain point, you may as well forget the SIM and just build it into the device.
Items that are meant to be removeable and transferable need to be large enough for a consumer to manipulate with their fingers.
Re:Too small (Score:4, Insightful)
Apple tried to do this, unfortunately, all the telcos baulked at the idea that any phone would be trivially reprogrammable to join another network –all you would need to do was tap a button on the phone and be instantly on a new contract.
Re:Too small (Score:5, Insightful)
Actually, exactly the reverse was the issue. When apple proposed this, the telcos baulked at the idea that users would be able to switch to a contract with another company at the tap of a button on their phone.
Re:WHo get how much (Score:0, Insightful)
Apples and my personal definition of Reasonable in Reasonable And Non-Discriminatory are kilometers apart.
Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!! In a story with Motorola and the discussion of industry essential FRAND patents, you're targeting _APPLE_?? Motorola is attempting to gouge select, specific companies (that would be counter to Non-Discriminatory) at the rate of 2.25% per device (that would be counter to Reasonable). Seriously, Apple has openly stated their intention to support FRAND obligations while Motorola's _ACTIONS_ have been the absolute opposite of Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory in relation to their FRAND obligations. And you pick on Apple?
Sometimes the mind simply boggles...
Re:Too small (Score:4, Insightful)
The point behind the SIM card is that it shall be easy to change phone without any fuzz. And if the SIM cards has different sizes depending on device it's counteracting that.
Don't underestimate the advantage you can get by having different phones for different situations. A cheap simple rugged phone for outdoor and a flashy smartphone when doing business.
Re:Coolness Factor? (Score:5, Insightful)
Nothing to do with size (Score:5, Insightful)
Apple, like all other GSM/UMTS manufactures pay a licensing fee to companies like ORGA and Nokia to use the SIM cards. I will also point out that from the beginning, Apple did not want to use a SIM card. However, the SIM is a core requirement to using the GSM and UMTS standards. It is additionally required for both PTCRB and GCF certification schemes.
One of the main benefits of the SIM / USIM is portability. The core spec was designed such that you could insert your SIM into any phone and be billed accordingly. It was actually against the rules to have a SIM locked phone back in the old days.
No, Apple doesn't care how big it is, because lets face it, the SIM is not big. Apple is more interested in controlling the standard. Then, suddenly, ORGA, Nokia and even the carriers will need to pay Apple to use the new SIM format.
Keep in mind though, it is not only carriers and phone makers who are effected. There are many smaller companies who have invested millions into the development of test equipment and software to test the current format of SIM.
Re:When has Apple ever abused FRAND terms? (Score:3, Insightful)