Apple MicroSIM is to become MicroSLIM, according to reports.
The tech giant’s SIM cards are to shed some pounds in a bid to shape up – possibly for iPhone 6 which is tipped to be out mid next year.
Well, the slim down is mainly to help Steve Jobs’ engineers build smaller and thinner devices. The revamped SIMs could be available as early as next year.
Apple SIMs got their first major overhaul last year with installation of the MicroSIM for the iPad but now it seems it is set for a further cut down.
MicroSIM for iPad is essentially the memory chip but without the added plastic, and measures up to a minuscule 12 x 15mm.
“We were quite happy to see last week that Apple has submitted a new requirement to (European telecoms standards body) ETSI for a smaller SIM form factor — smaller than the one that goes in iPhone 4 and iPad,” Anne Bouverot, Orange’s head of mobile services told Reuters.
“They have done that through the standardisation route, through ETSI, with the sponsorship of some major mobile operators, Orange being one of them.”
However, what is also interesting about this development if it comes to pass is that Apple SIMs will be non transferrable to other devices and will be pulling away from the industry standard, unless others follow suit.
It also means iPhone users with 4 or older models looking to upgrade will have to purchase new SIM cards.
This also means phone unlockers’, who have made an industry out of unlocking iPhones, number could be up.
