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New smaller SIM format gets standardized, shrinks 40 percent (update: Nokia gives bitter OK)

Mat Smith — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:38:00 EST

ETSI has given the nod to a new SIM format standard, which will be 40 percent smaller than the existing micro-SIM design. Agreeing to the design in Osaka, Japan, the shape will be 12.3mm by 8.8mm and will measure the same thickness as existing SIMs at 0.67mm thick. The design promises to work with existing hardware and appears to fly closer to Apple's suggested size, following plenty of crossed words between manufacturers over the next iteration of the card.

Update: Nokia has since put out a statement saying it will honor ETSI's decision and license out the needed patents on fair terms after the standards group made sure the vote was fair. We detect more than a small number of sour grapes from Espoo over having its own design rejected, though: it still sees Apple's nano-SIM as "technically inferior" and thinks the existing micro-SIM will still be the "preferred option." We can think of a couple of reasons why Nokia might not be so keen to switch.

[Thanks Prodan]

Jon Fingas contributed to this report.

New smaller SIM format gets standardized, shrinks 40 percent (update: Nokia gives bitter OK) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AGA's iTotal Control range cooker packs GSM connectivity, lets you pre-heat via SMS or web

Joe Pollicino — Tue, 29 May 2012 01:04:00 EST

There are many options available if you want to control your appliances over WiFi, but how about an oven with its own SIM card and phone number? That's exactly what AGA has done with its latest kitchen-oriented offering, the iTotal Control range cooker. Regardless of whether you're cooking in one, or all three of its ovens, sending an SMS message to this smart appliance lets you control each one. It even texts you back to confirm whether your commands like "baking oven on" successfully initiate. The cooker naturally works over WiFi as well, giving you an on-screen emulation of its control panel on either your computer's web browser or AGA's iOS and Android apps. An external GSM remote access device -- basically a router / modem -- connects to the appliance to make it all happen, with cellular service provided by Orange. Ready to get cooking? The iTotal Control is set to sell for a hefty base-price of £10,090 (~$15,826), and you'll also be tied to a one-year contract with Orange for £5.95 (~$9) a month to enable the texting functionality. Simmer over the details at the source link below.

Continue reading AGA's iTotal Control range cooker packs GSM connectivity, lets you pre-heat via SMS or web

AGA's iTotal Control range cooker packs GSM connectivity, lets you pre-heat via SMS or web originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 01:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple patents ejectable SIM card tray as nano-SIM battle rages on

Darren Murph — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:48:00 EST

We're guessing it's just coincidental timing here, but it looks as if Apple has been granted a patent surrounding "ejectable component assemblies" that are designed to be "flush with the external surfaces of the housings of the devices, despite variations in their manufacture." In other words, a SIM card tray. Granted, there's no specific verbiage in the independent claims of this one letting us know what exact size we're talking about, so it's highly unlikely that a patent application filed in December of 2010 (but granted today) would be directly referencing the nano-SIM war that's currently ongoing. That said, the description most certainly sounds like the tray that we've seen throughout the iPhone's life cycle, and if Apple's trying to go small in future handsets, there's a better than average chance that the ejection mechanism will be all too familiar. Legalese lovers can find the usual load down in the source link.

Apple patents ejectable SIM card tray as nano-SIM battle rages on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vietnam considers limiting SIM card access, suggests 18 per person is enough

Zachary Lutz — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:39:00 EST

How many SIM cards do you have in your stash? If your answer is less than three per operator -- of every network provider -- then you may have trouble sympathizing with the apparent plight of some Vietnamese. Proposed legislation from the Ministry of Information and Commerce would effectively regulate each citizen to a maximum of three SIMs per carrier (of which there are six), leading to a theoretical limit of 18 SIM cards per individual. The draft law is intended to curb unauthorized distribution in that nation, where SIM cards with student discounts and the like are re-sold without carrier knowledge. The proposal could affect businesses too, limiting each company to a maximum of 100 SIM cards -- but there's no word on whether this cap is per network or absolute. Meanwhile, industry officials insist that a limit of five SIMs per operator would be more reasonable, given the number of SIM-enabled devices available to consumers. What's most clear, though, is that Vietnam is awash in marketing opportunity -- just imagine how popular Nokia could be with a mobile phone that supports 18 SIM cards.

[SIM cards via ShutterStock]

Vietnam considers limiting SIM card access, suggests 18 per person is enough originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cubic Telecom's Maxroam data SIM card lets you roam the globe without breaking the bank

Amar Toor — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:17:00 EST

It's never easy to travel the globe on a tight budget, but Cubic Telecom is doing its best to ease the financial burden a bit, with its new Maxroam card -- a global data SIM card that allows American travelers to access the web for just 65 cents per MB. The card, available without any subscription or contract, works within a total of 43 countries, including India, Australia, South Africa and Europe. All you have to do is purchase the card, insert it in your unlocked handset and activate it online. From there, you'll be able to use Maxroam until you reach the data limit, without worrying about expiration dates or time constraints. It's available now at the source link below, though as Cubic Telecom points out, final data rates may vary with the euro/dollar exchange rate.

Continue reading Cubic Telecom's Maxroam data SIM card lets you roam the globe without breaking the bank

Cubic Telecom's Maxroam data SIM card lets you roam the globe without breaking the bank originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some iPhone 4S owners reporting ominous 'No SIM card installed' messages

Zachary Lutz — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:55:00 EST

Could it be that Apple's latest smartphone is plagued with a troubling design flaw? Just ask the handful of iPhone 4S users who've experienced issues with their SIM cards, and they'll tell you this is very much the case. While we have no reason to believe a majority of iPhone 4S owners are affected, the problem appears to span across numerous carriers and parts of the globe -- even Sprint and Verizon Wireless users aren't immune. Some report resolving the problem with a new SIM card, while others have reason to believe it's the reader itself. Then there's a group known as Woo Servers, which suggests the malfunction is related to a short circuit caused by a design flaw with the SIM card tray. They've provided a detailed list of instructions to remedy the problem, with a simple piece of tape as the cure. Sadly, not everyone seems to benefit from the advice. So, Cupertino, care to lend a hand?

Some iPhone 4S owners reporting ominous 'No SIM card installed' messages originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SIM-based NFC gains global support from 45 mobile carriers, all huddled around GSMA's standard

Zachary Lutz — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:02:00 EST

You knew that NFC hardware can be embedded into SIM cards, right? Right? Regardless of whether you've been paying attention, the practice is about to become a whole lot more common, as 45 of the world's largest mobile operators have extended their support for the GSM Association's standard. Among the networks, you'll find heavy hitters such as China Mobile and China Unicom (which account for nearly 800 million subscribers between the two), along with familiar names such as America Movil, AT&T, Deutsche Telecom, KPN, Orange, Rogers, SFR, SK Telecom, Softbank, Telus, Verizon and Vodafone. Even Isis, the unholy mobile payment lovechild of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, has pledged its support... in hopes of taking your money, that is. The new standard is expected to drive the proliferation of NFC across the globe, with Anne Bouverot, Director General of the GSMA commenting, "Mobile operators, working together, are ideally positioned to roll out services based on the requirements published by the GSMA, providing proven security and interoperability, global reach and customer care for consumers and businesses and a secure platform for service providers." Now, as you'd expect, we just wanna see it happen. For a complete list of the cooperating carriers, check out the PR after the break.

[SIM card photo via Shutterstock]

Continue reading SIM-based NFC gains global support from 45 mobile carriers, all huddled around GSMA's standard

SIM-based NFC gains global support from 45 mobile carriers, all huddled around GSMA's standard originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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nano-SIM's flimsy form factor poised to frustrate fleshy-fingered phone users forever

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:43:00 EST

Most of us feel the average Subscriber Identity Module card is too small for our sausage-like digits, device makers loathe giving up that amount of space to an oversized plastic rectangle. Efforts to slim it down have been underway for ages, which is why some smartphones come with a micro-SIM, the easy-to-hold outer rim chopped off to make space for bigger batteries inside your device and to ensure your greasy fingers get all over the metal contacts. Sadly, it's time to wave goodbye to the idea of operating a smartphone without electron-tweezers, thanks to Giesecke & Devrient's new nano-SIM. The German fathers of the technology have shrunk the whole operation down to a 12mm x 9mm rectangle that's a third smaller than the micro-SIM and 60 percent smaller than the classic model: and as if to show off, it's also 15 percent thinner, too. The company will be exhibiting the chips tomorrow in Paris and has already sent initial samples to smartphone makers, expecting ETSI to sign off on the standard by the end of 2011 -- assuming they've been able to pick theirs off the table.

Continue reading nano-SIM's flimsy form factor poised to frustrate fleshy-fingered phone users forever

nano-SIM's flimsy form factor poised to frustrate fleshy-fingered phone users forever originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint explains iPhone 4S unlocking policy: phones will be unlocked, then locked, then unlocked again

Zach Honig — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:20:00 EST

Yeah, that makes just as much sense to us as it does to you. Following yesterday's PR debacle, the final word from Sprint appears to be as follows:

"Sprint's policy is to have the iPhone 4S SIM locked to our network domestically and internationally. At launch, the International SIM will be unlocked. We do expect a SIM lock to be pushed to the devices shortly after launch. We will then allow existing customers in good standing to unlock the SIM for international use if needed in the future."

So, if we're reading that correctly, the iPhone you purchase and activate will be unlocked. Then, a SIM lock will be "pushed" to your device. But, if you've been a good, policy-abiding customer, your iPhone can then be unlocked manually by Sprint. Who knows what'll happen if you buy your phone and flee to a non-extradition country before Sprint comes knocking at the door, shackles in hand. Will you be left to live in peace with your newly-acquired international Micro SIM? Will you need to plead your case before a tribunal of mobile carrier overlords? Only time will tell, we suppose, or perhaps further clarification from Sprint. Jump past the break for the complete announcement.

Continue reading Sprint explains iPhone 4S unlocking policy: phones will be unlocked, then locked, then unlocked again

Sprint explains iPhone 4S unlocking policy: phones will be unlocked, then locked, then unlocked again originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint and Verizon confirm iPhone 4S Micro SIM unlock for international travel (update: Sprint remains locked?)

Zach Honig — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:11:00 EST

If you own an iPhone 4 on AT&T, using the device while traveling internationally means paying sky-high roaming fees, jailbreaking or limiting data use to when you're on a WiFi network, either with a public hotspot or through a service like Xcom Global. Verizon iPhone 4 owners, however, don't have the option of GSM roaming at all, and can only make calls and use cellular data in countries that support CDMA. All that changes with the iPhone 4S, however -- Macworld has confirmed that Sprint will sell its version of the device with the Micro SIM slot unlocked, with Verizon offering free unlocking to customers after the first 60 days of service. iPhone 4S owners will then be able to purchase a Micro SIM overseas, allowing them to access data and make calls at local rates, for a fraction of what it would cost to roam. AT&T iPhone 4S owners won't have this option, however, so if you make frequent trips overseas, this benefit alone may be enough to justify purchasing the phone through Sprint or Verizon, saving some users hundreds or thousands of dollars in international roaming fees.

Update: A Sprint spokesperson has said that our source article was incorrect, telling us that its SIM will not be unlocked and adding that the card will not even be removable:

"Our SIM does not come out of the device - I believe the same is true of Verizon's iPhone but you would need to confirm that with them. Customers can sign up for one of our international rate plans and use this phone all over the world. When traveling internationally, there is a setting that must be turned on within the device to connect to GSM. The phone will work with a SIM that is provided within the device out of the box. International voice and data charges are on a pay-as-you-go basis and vary based on the country where the customer is using their phone; a list of rates is available at www.sprint.com/international."

Update 2: We heard from Sprint a second time, which redacted part of its previous statement. The carrier further explained "the SIM is removable and is not affixed to the device," which as you may notice directly contradicts the statement made earlier today. We've reached out to Apple twice and are awaiting further clarification.

Update 3: A Verizon spokesperson has confirmed that the original version of the article is in fact correct:

"The iPhone 4S works like all of our global phones. The phone comes in box with a SIM locked to our network and the network of our roaming partners including Vodafone, one of our parent companies. Customers sign up for a Verizon Wireless voice plan (beginning at $39.99 for 450 min.) and a data plan beginning at 2GB for $30. When they choose to go out of the country, they should call Verizon Wireless and sign up for a global plan. The customer can also request to have the SIM unlocked if they want to use a local service while out of the country. The request needs to be made prior to leaving the country, their bill must be current and the phone must be active on the account for 60 days before we will unlock the SIM."

[Thanks, Julio]

Sprint and Verizon confirm iPhone 4S Micro SIM unlock for international travel (update: Sprint remains locked?) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's carrier ranking patent application hints at global iPhone

Joseph Volpe — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:10:00 EST

Apple may be hard at work creating the one phone to rule them all (around the world), if this latest patent application is any indication. The filing, first submitted in April of last year, describes a software-based method of determining carrier rankings, allowing owners to browse through a database of network-specific features, such as voice and data, to determine their best fit and sign-up for service. Ideally, this future iPhone set-up would come courtesy of a truly global phone, packing all the necessary radios and software to surf along the globe's wireless frequencies sans extra SIM cards. Rumors of an open handset have been circling Cupertino for a bit, much to the dismay of operators who fear the move would diminish their function as the industry's gatekeeper, shifting power to consumers. Certainly, Jobs and co. have a high hurdle to overcome if this purported world phone is to ever become a reality. In the meantime, why not just snag an unlocked device?

[Thanks, Neil]

Apple's carrier ranking patent application hints at global iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile hawks Micro SIMs for 'free', hopes your iPhone likes EDGE data

Dante Cesa — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST

Been wanting to stick it to Ma Bell, but have found yourself shackled by those pesky micro SIMs and your inexplicable fear of all things pointy? If you're wielding an unlocked device with a diminutive slot, T-Mobile's giving away the pint-sized cards gratis -- provided you're also willing to sign your precious life away on contract. It's a shameless play for Cupertino's sweetheart, sure, and this isn't the first time we've seen the carrier try to ship us some teensy SIMs. Making the plunge? Enjoy your rebellious ways while they last -- we hear Little Magenta's assimilation by the borg isn't too far off.

T-Mobile hawks Micro SIMs for 'free', hopes your iPhone likes EDGE data originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected

Myriam Joire — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:29:00 EST

There are few things we enjoy more than seeing the glittery innards of a device splayed before us in the name of science -- especially when it happens to be the CDMA version of Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play. The Verizon bound phone made a cameo at the FCC today where it was subjected to -- and passed -- the usual battery of SAR tests before getting dissected. What's intriguing about the pictures in the FCC report is that the CDMA model features the same combination SIM / microSD card slot as its GSM sibling. While some are theorizing that Verizon's gaming handset might support LTE, we think it's more likely that the Xperia Play uses a dual-mode CDMA / GSM radio and that the SIM slot will either remain empty and disabled in firmware or that the Xperia Play will be one of Verizon's global offerings. Take a look at the gallery below and judge for yourself.

Gallery: CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected

CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gevey SIM provides janky but jailbreak-free unlock for iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3

Sam Sheffer — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:25:00 EST

If you've updated your iPhone 4 to iOS 4.2.1 or above, you might be aware that there is currently no unlocking software available for the accompanying basebands. Naturally, we'd imagine the Dev-Team will soon provide a remedy for this lack of freedom, but for now, Gevey has you covered... somewhat. For $70, this imposter SIM promises to unlock, without the need to jailbreak, all the current basebands found embedded within 4.0 - 4.3. In the video after the break, it appears multiple -- and frankly, just plain inconvenient -- steps are required to get the kit working on your iPhone. What's more, apparently you'll need to do all of this again if you switch off the phone. Oh, and we should mention this involves snipping off a corner on your SIM card, and carriers tend not to like that. Our recommendation regarding this contraption? If you're absolutely in the need of a carrier unlock and have the cash, proceed with caution. Otherwise, patience is your answer.

Continue reading Gevey SIM provides janky but jailbreak-free unlock for iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3

Gevey SIM provides janky but jailbreak-free unlock for iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP TouchPad emerges from the Vietnamese wilds, sporting SIM slot (video)

Sean Hollister — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:42:00 EST

We've seen the HP TouchPad up close and personal, but only under strict supervision -- and now that we find Tinhte has been playing with a prototype for hours on end, you can only imagine our jealousy. Anyways, without those meddlesome PR representatives to keep them from prying at ports, the Vietnamese gadget hounds discovered that the slate has a slot for a SIM card. While we can't attest to the vintage of this particular prototype -- and thus say whether the TouchPad will still have a SIM when it ships -- it's safe to assume that HP was at least considering GSM frequencies at some point during its development. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Nguyen The Bach]

Continue reading HP TouchPad emerges from the Vietnamese wilds, sporting SIM slot (video)

HP TouchPad emerges from the Vietnamese wilds, sporting SIM slot (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thieves damage South African traffic lights, reach for the juicy SIM card innards

Sean Hollister — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:08:00 EST

Johannesburg, South Africa had six hundred high-tech traffic signals, each with a cellular modem and GPS chip. The idea was, if one malfunctioned, they'd call home immediately. Well, that plan isn't working out so well, because only two hundred are still in working order -- vandals ripped apart the rest to get at their SIM cards, causing traffic jams and accidents. Apparently, the government-provided cards are a ticket to unlimited free phone calls for the thieves -- at least until the individual devices are identified and their permissions revoked. The Johannesburg Roads Agency told the Mail & Guardian that the crime looks like an inside job, because only the SIM-equipped signals seem to have been targeted so far, despite looking visually identical. The damages are piling up, with the agency figuring it will require ZAR 8.8 million (roughly $1.26 million) to repair the four hundred signals currently out of order. Needless to say, the agency is looking at ways to better secure the traffic lights. We're guessing that switching to CDMA is probably off the table. Embedded SIMs, perhaps?

Thieves damage South African traffic lights, reach for the juicy SIM card innards originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isabella Products' Mini USB stick connects unconnected digital photo frames

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST

Passed on Isabella Products' Vizit digital photo frame? 'Tis a shame, really. But hey, if you were one of the millions gifted with a lackluster, non-connected digiframe over the past few years, at least the aforesaid company is giving you a way to make things right. The outfit's newly launched Mini is one special USB key, embedded with an AT&T 3G SIM and tailor made to provide cellular connectivity to dormant frames. The key is linked to one's VizitMe content management service, and users will be able to email photos directly or have the device extract content from Photobucket and LIFE.com; once received, owners will see new images pop up on any frame that accepts USB keys. Furthermore, these same emailed images can be viewed on USB-equipped monitors and televisions. The company's planning to ship the Mini in Q2 of this year for an undisclosed rate, but naturally, we're more interested in the potential unadvertised capabilities. An off-contract, fee-free USB key with an AT&T SIM card within? Sounds like we're just a hack or two away from the most beautiful mobile broadband card this world has ever seen.

Continue reading Isabella Products' Mini USB stick connects unconnected digital photo frames

Isabella Products' Mini USB stick connects unconnected digital photo frames originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon launching LTE on December 5th, two transforming 4G USB modems hitch a wild ride

Sean Hollister — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:32:00 EST

Sure, Verizon's holding a press conference tomorrow, but unless they've got a secret LTE smartphone or tablet (we can only hope) we've got a fairly good idea what the company will say. We're hearing Verizon will flip the switch on its LTE network on December 5th, unveil a pair of hot new USB modems to take advantage of those supposedly stellar speeds, and launch the SIM cards required to make LTE function in the first place. The gadgets include the LG VL600 thumbstick we've seen before, but also this marvelous-looking Pantech UML290 key, which has not only a slick swiveling case but also a dual-jointed USB port beneath. We doubt we're going to have any trouble getting this one plugged into even the slimmest of port-abhorring slimline computing machines. See where one of the SIM cards goes in the gallery below.

Update: The populace has spoken, and "sexy" is no more. Shall we call them "transforming" modems, then? They most certainly are.

Gallery: Verizon LTE announce and modem leak

[Thanks, Anonymous and JT]

Verizon launching LTE on December 5th, two transforming 4G USB modems hitch a wild ride originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screen Grabs: A Droid X with a SIM card? XOXO, Gossip Girl

Nilay Patel — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:41:00 EST

Sure, Verizon has the lock on Gossip Girl product placement, but even the technological reality of CDMA must bow to plot development, and if that means Serena's Droid X sprouts a SIM card so Lil' J can steal it and surreptitiously swap in a new one, well, so be it. Of course, this clever plan assumes that Serena doesn't text or call anyone using her new SIM, but, you know, just go with it. Video after the break.

Continue reading Screen Grabs: A Droid X with a SIM card? XOXO, Gossip Girl

Screen Grabs: A Droid X with a SIM card? XOXO, Gossip Girl originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OTECH F1 handset holds four SIM cards, enables you to live a quadruple life

Darren Murph — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:36:00 EST

So look, you feel pretty special toting around that dual-SIM phone, right? Being able to switch numbers and carriers as you hop back and forth between Germany and Amsterdam is fairly nifty, but you've been considering a daily route around the Benelux. Of course, tri-SIM phones aren't impossible to find either, but should you ever wander into France, Switzerland or any other nation, you'll be forced to pop one of those out and insert another the old fashioned way. Well, unless you can score an OTECH F1. This here handset -- which can only be found in the wilds of Asia right now -- actually has room for four SIM cards, and it's also packing a full QWERTY keyboard, 2.4-inch touchscreen, support for mobile TV, an FM radio tuner, Bluetooth module and what appears to be a 12.1 megapixel camera. Unsurprisingly, a price on this bad boy is eluding us, but if you're an industrious jetsetter, we're confident you won't have any issues running one down. Whether or not you want to, however, is another matter entirely...

OTECH F1 handset holds four SIM cards, enables you to live a quadruple life originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T transitioning to LTE-friendly SIM cards

Darren Murph — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:54:00 EST

There's precisely zero doubt that AT&T will be supporting LTE waves in the not-too-distant future, but it looks as if "the future" may be drawing closer than anyone had ever imagined. Or else the carrier's just really, really proactive. Based on the leaked slide above, it looks as if AT&T is already beginning to transition its current crop of SIM cards to "those that will also support LTE devices." Naturally, the iPhone 4 is omitted from all of this due to it using a micro SIM, but it looks as if employees will need to keep a careful eye on the SKU (and front graphics) in order to make sure customers are well equipped for another blend of 4G. Now, how's about a rollout schedule, Ma Bell?

AT&T transitioning to LTE-friendly SIM cards originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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French gendarmes bust network of 'cellphone hackers'

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:02:00 EST

Police in France have busted what's been described as a "mobile phone hacking ring" and arrested nine people, according to Reuters. Apparently the criminal enterprise, which has been operating for five years, purchased SIM card unlock codes from phone company employees and retailers at €3 ($4) a pop, which it then sold on the Internet for €30 ($40). According to investigators, one of the employees made something like €25,000 ($33,685) a month from the scheme, which all told cost mobile operators anywhere from about €500,000 ($667,200) to several million per month. Among the affected providers were Bouygues Telecom, Orange, and SFR, the latter of which prompted the investigation last year. A brother and sister arrested in the city of Rennes are suspected to be at the head of the ring.

French gendarmes bust network of 'cellphone hackers' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How-to: resize your SIM, change your APN, and drink the sweet nectar of mobile freedom

Myriam Joire — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:20:00 EST

Myriam Joire (tnkgrl) was born wearing combat boots and holding a keyboard; moments later she picked up a soldering iron. She's been stomping, typing and hacking ever since. In her regular series, she'll share her tips, tricks, and mods on everything from phones to netbooks -- and be sure to catch her weekly on the Engadget Mobile podcast.

Things used to be simple: you either had a CDMA device with no SIM, or a GSM device with a SIM. If your GSM device was unlocked you could swap SIMs between carriers, and if was locked, you could swap SIMs between accounts on the same carrier. Basically, an unlocked phone meant mobile freedom. At first, the only complication was the different frequencies used for GSM in different parts of the world, which was remedied with quadband radios. Then 3G was introduced, with different frequencies used by different carriers in the same geographic area, like North America. Today, this proliferation of bands makes it difficult to build universal radios, and makes it less appealing to switch carriers. In fact, the only phone that currently supports all 3G frequencies used in North America is the upcoming pentaband Nokia N8.

The second obstacle was the introduction of special data plans, either requiring additional service layers (such as BlackBerry or Sidekick plans) or restricting the types of devices permitted as the iPhone and iPad plans do. What used to be as simple as changing APNs is now a Kafkaesque nightmare, complete with nasty "you are using the wrong data plan and we are going to send you a bill" text messages from carriers. Strike three was the micro SIM (also known as the 3FF SIM), popularized by Apple's iPad and the iPhone 4. This smaller form-factor SIM is electrically compatible with the standard SIM we all know and love -- and as such, it's easy to convert a standard SIM into a micro SIM and vice-versa (but still, it's one more hurdle standing in the way of happiness).

Let's dive in and take a look at how it's done.

Continue reading How-to: resize your SIM, change your APN, and drink the sweet nectar of mobile freedom

How-to: resize your SIM, change your APN, and drink the sweet nectar of mobile freedom originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not.

Nilay Patel — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:32:00 EST

Ever since Apple decided to do little about the iPhone 4's pronounced reception issues except suggest that users hold the thing differently and / or buy a nice case, the voodoo engineering remedies have been flying in full force -- sure, we'll admit we tried sticking some tape over the side of our phone (no dice), but we stopped short when people suggested we try a couple coats of nail polish (insanity). Even we have limits, after all. But the latest snake oil fix is definitely the craziest we've heard so far: according to a 13-page (and growing) thread at MacRumors, the iPhone 4's reception issue can be fixed by adjusting or even trimming the micro SIM so the contacts don't touch the metal tray. The popular belief is that touching the side of the phone somehow shorts across the micro SIM, causing (mumble mumble) and leading to dropped signal. Making things more interesting, Apple and AT&T are apparently using several different types of micro SIMs, including one with a significantly larger contact area -- you can check a shot of two of our iPhone 4 micro SIMs side-by-side after the break.

So does all this hocus pocus actually work? In a word, no. We tried it on a few of our particularly bad iPhone 4s -- the ones that consistently demonstrate the issue -- and achieved no meaningful results. We even went so far as to line the edge of one of our trimmed micro SIMs in electrical tape (pictured above) to ensure that no contact was being made, and we were still able to flatline the phone using the "death grip." Sorry folks -- we wanted this to work too, but it looks like people are just being hopefully optimistic. We'd say the real fix is going to have to come from Apple -- and given the growing discontent over this relatively severe issue, the sooner the better.

Continue reading Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not.

Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not. originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cut My SIM does as its name commands

Vlad Savov — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:28:00 EST

In case you haven't noticed, all the cool kids are using Micro SIMs nowadays. But help is at hand if you're stuck with an old and busted Module, thanks to this stainless steel SIM trimmer. Painfully simple to use, it accepts old school chips, smashes down on them with the full force of modernity, and spits out an appropriately streamlined Micro SIM. But wait, you can reverse the modification too -- just use the included "back to normal" kit to turn back time and restore compatibility with your dated gear. The first batch of 500 has already sold out, but the next is expected to ship by the end of this month at a price of $25 or just under €20, depending on where you reside. What else do you need, a written invitation?

Cut My SIM does as its name commands originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to create your own Micro SIM card using a chef knife and some scissors

Vlad Savov — Thu, 06 May 2010 08:42:00 EST

We told you you could shave down your old and busted SIM cards and turn them into minty fresh Micro SIMs, didn't we? An industrious Londoner by the name of John Benson has gone and proven that concept with the help of some cutting implements and an original Micro SIM to use as a reference. His saintly patience resulted in his being able to negotiate the Vodafone SIM you see above into his iPad 3G (imported from the USA) and riding the waves of Voda's network as if Apple never decided to encumber its portable device with a silly new standard. The 3FF (Micro) SIMs and the bulkier original ones are electrically identical, so there's no threat of harm by using them interchangeably, though we can't say the same thing about the tools that get you there. As always, we advise trying to rope someone else into doing the work for you -- less chance of hurting yourself that way. Hit the source for more.

[Thanks, Brandon]

How to create your own Micro SIM card using a chef knife and some scissors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's micro SIM card is the matryoshka doll of micro SIM cards

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:21:00 EST

Alright, well played, AT&T: you've sort of managed to undo Apple's unfortunate move of eschewing nearly two decades' worth of deeply-entrenched SIM card standards in favor of a new one that literally nobody in the consumer cellphone world is using -- and for that, we thank you. We're being told that these new SIMs ~~are now being sold in AT&T stores for $15~~ and will work both with the iPad 3G and... well, literally every other GSM device you've ever owned, thanks to a couple of well-placed perforations that can turn the standard SIM into a micro SIM. This is presumably a preemptive strike to support the next-gen iPhone, too, but otherwise, you can go ahead and use the big card without busting out the little one. Trust us.

Update: Our tipster wrote back in to say that they're actually not being sold in stores yet, so if you've formed a line outside your local brick-and-mortar, go ahead and turn in for the evening. Sorry, folks!

AT&T's micro SIM card is the matryoshka doll of micro SIM cards originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portuguese carrier TMN pairs Samsung Blue Earth with world's first paper SIM card

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:09:00 EST

Tiny SIM cards seems like the last thing worth worrying about in our bid to save the environment one tree at a time -- but let's not forget that you end up throwing away about 80 percent of the card as soon as you pop the actual chip out and stick it in your phone. Portuguese carrier TMN has rolled out what it claims to be the world's first recycled paper SIMs in combination with the release of the Samsung solar-charging Blue Earth handset, delivering a powerful one-two combo of feel-good environmental responsibility that should boost your karma for a solid day or two (if not more). You can't get the paper SIM with TMN's other devices just yet, but in the meantime, you can pick up the Blue Earth package for a stout €239 ($318).

[Thanks, Ricardo]

Portuguese carrier TMN pairs Samsung Blue Earth with world's first paper SIM card originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Simavita's electronic underpants TXT you when they're wet

Tim Stevens — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:42:00 EST

People like to joke about incontinence when it happens to someone else, but for nursing staff or those taking care of the elderly it's simply another duty that must be managed. The SIM cycle system from Australian company Simavita makes things a little easier with text messaging. The system, which is now being deployed at nursing homes following successful clinical trials, involves a replaceable pad with electronic leads that detect moisture. Those leads are run to the SIM box, which sends a text message to the resident nurse when it's, uh, changing time. This should enable the staff to spend less time peeking in unsightly places and more time helping those who need it. Meanwhile, reports can be generated from the system to keep track of incontinence problems -- which could also be useful for parents trying to monitor their kids' World of Warcraft marathons.

Simavita's electronic underpants TXT you when they're wet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JooJoo hits the FCC, reveals NVIDIA Ion, 3G card

Nilay Patel — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:07:00 EST

Well well. We'd always suspected that the JooJoo tablet was hiding something extra to run HD video and Flash, and it's just hit the FCC with full documentation and a teardown confirming that there's an NVIDIA Ion GPU paired with an Atom N270 packed inside. We're also seeing a 3G card in there, although it's unclear whether it'll be active or installed at launch -- we've been told the 3G version won't be ready until sometime later this year, but things have been changing fast, so that may be in flux as well. There's also a picture showing it running Windows, but we're assuming that's just for testing purposes -- we'd also bet it'd be an easy little hack. But back to Ion for a second: our experience with first-gen Ion netbooks has been one of decreased performance and drastically reduced battery life, so we're very curious to see how the JooJoo holds up compared to modern netbooks running Intel's Pine Trail chips and NVIDIA's Optimus-based Ion 2. We'll see -- it's supposed to ship in just a few weeks. Two more pics after the break.

P.S.- Oh, and Fusion Garage got back to us yesterday with a list of supported local video formats, and it's pretty decent: AVI, MPEG-4, MOV, WMV and WMA, FLV (Flash Video), VOB, OGG, OGM and OGV, MKV (Mastroska), DiVX and XViD. We'll see how the battery holds up, though -- our very own Joanna Stern predicts a best case of 3.5 hours with WiFi on and a video playback time of two hours.

Continue reading JooJoo hits the FCC, reveals NVIDIA Ion, 3G card

JooJoo hits the FCC, reveals NVIDIA Ion, 3G card originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SK Telecom's Android SIM prototype combines CPU, storage and OS into one (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:28:00 EST

This is the future, we tell ya! Not the immediate future, mind you, as it's a humble prototype with no commercial intentions behind it, but it sure looks like the right direction for us to be moving in. SK Telecom has somehow fit a processing chip, memory, a gigabyte of flash storage and Google's Android OS onto the SIM you see above. The concept is pure genius -- you store your entire mobile environment on the SIM card, including your contacts, operating system and customizations, which should then allow you to switch up your handset hardware as often as you like without the need to set it up anew each and every time. We'll head to SK Telecom's booth at MWC later today for a closer look, but for now you should click past the break for a video.

Continue reading SK Telecom's Android SIM prototype combines CPU, storage and OS into one (video)

SK Telecom's Android SIM prototype combines CPU, storage and OS into one (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GSM Palm Pre unlocked with a little Rebel assistance

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST

It's not exactly the native unlock we've been waiting for, but those of you in Europe dying for a Pre unshackled from O2 will be happy to know that the Rebel Simcard II is now compatible with Palm's first webOS device. The £10.99 / $17.95 accessory card slots in between your carrier's SIM and the Pre's SIM slot, bypassing the Pre's network locks and allowing full access to voice and data services including 3G. Sadly, the Pre doesn't have the radio support to make this work in the States on anything but EDGE, but at least it's a start, right? Video after the break.

[Thanks, Ji]

Continue reading GSM Palm Pre unlocked with a little Rebel assistance

Filed under: Handsets, Palm, O2

GSM Palm Pre unlocked with a little Rebel assistance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GSM Palm Pre unlocked with a little Rebel assistance

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST

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Filed under: Cellphones

GSM Palm Pre unlocked with a little Rebel assistance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Koodo leading Telus' charge into HSPA territory?

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:12:00 EST

It's no secret that Telus is kicking off a transition from CDMA to UMTS / HSPA starting later this year, but who would've thought its Koodo Mobile value-oriented brand would be on the front lines? Howard Chui notes that Koodo's phone activation page now shows a SIM card on its diagram of where to find your ESN (or IMEI, in this case) -- a pretty strong indication that GSM-enabled Koodo phones are just around the corner. Of course, that leaves open the question of what hardware will be involved, but something tells us Koodo won't be getting that killer LG BL40 its corporate parent has long been rumored to have in the pipe.

[Via Howard Chui]

Filed under: Telus Mobility, HSDPA, UMTS, HSUPA

Koodo leading Telus' charge into HSPA territory? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adafruit's Citizen Engineer comic book / SIM card reader kit

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:16:00 EST

The gang at Adafruit Industries are on a mission -- and they won't rest until every man, woman, and child on this planet has access to the DIY and open source electronics they crave. The most recent project of theirs, Citizen Engineer: SIM Card Hacking, is a comic book that both serves as a primer on GSM and SIM cards and tells you how to build a SIM card reader. And if that weren't awesome enough, if you purchase the title for $35 they'll throw in the reader kit -- either enabling your thirst for knowledge or jump-starting you on your path towards a new life as a hacker / fixer for the Russian Mafia. Video after the break.

Continue reading Adafruit's Citizen Engineer comic book / SIM card reader kit

Filed under: Misc

Adafruit's Citizen Engineer comic book / SIM card reader kit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adafruit's Citizen Engineer comic book / SIM card reader kit

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:16:00 EST

Continue reading Adafruit's Citizen Engineer comic book / SIM card reader kit

Filed under: Cellphones

Adafruit's Citizen Engineer comic book / SIM card reader kit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Ear power strip lets you listen from the floor

Nilay Patel — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:39:00 EST

Yeah, it's not the wildest power strip design we've ever seen, but the Spy Ear has a secret: a hidden SIM card slot and cell radio that allows you to monitor what's happening in your absence. Just dial in and listen away -- we're not sure how much you'll hear from the usual places a power strip is hidden, but it'll be better than nothing, nosy.

[Via Red Ferret]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Spy Ear power strip lets you listen from the floor originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile announces tiny new "embedded SIM" for connected devices

Nilay Patel — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST

Sure, SIM cards are small, but they're not tiny, and fitting the entire assembly into an embedded device requires a lot of space -- so T-Mobile's new embedded SIM system should make it possible to build even smaller connected devices like hospital monitors and smart energy meters that can report back to a server. The new SIMs are the size of a pinhead and made of silicon instead of plastic, which allows them to be coded at the factory and hard-mounted directly to a device, skipping the provisioning and installation steps that would come with regular SIMs. Devices with the new SIMs are expected to be out and sending data over T-Mo's network in as little as six months -- the first is an energy meter from Echelon that should hit soon.

Filed under: T-Mobile, Misc

T-Mobile announces tiny new "embedded SIM" for connected devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile announces tiny new "embedded SIM" for connected devices

Nilay Patel — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Wireless

T-Mobile announces tiny new "embedded SIM" for connected devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GeoSIM's Dual IMSI SIM to boast UK and US numbers, reduce roaming fees

Darren Murph — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:31:00 EST

While we've seen some pretty novel advances in the SIM card space, few have rivaled this in terms of sheer functionality. In a beautiful effort to cut down on roaming charges, GeoSIM has just announced that it's preparing a Dual IMSI SIM that will initially include a US and UK phone number, making it remarkably easy for those who travel frequently between American and the United Kingdom to call back and forth without racking up absurd roaming charges. We can only assume that future cards will enable any two countries (or more, maybe?) to be programmed in, and while we're still not totally clear on what the fees will actually be while using this card, we're kosher for now just knowing they'll be lower.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Filed under: Peripherals

GeoSIM's Dual IMSI SIM to boast UK and US numbers, reduce roaming fees originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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