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Two numbers on your iPhone
Over at UNEASYsilence that have quick tutorial on hacking your iPhone to support two different numbers by using two SIM cards. Basically this involves using a dual SIM card holder and manually trimming down the cards to fit into the adapter. With one kind of adapter the active SIM card automatically switches each time you turn the phone off and back on. If you have two AT&T SIM cards you don't have to do anything else to get two number support.On the other hand, if you want to use non-AT&T SIM cards you'll want a different adapter and then you'll need to jailbreak, unlock and activate your phone with ZiPhone. The neat thing about this method, however, is that Apple has apparently built dual SIM support into the iPhone OS. So once that's done you'll be able to switch between the SIM cards in the Phone submenu of the Settings.As Dan notes this is not for the faint of heart since it involves actually cutting the SIM cards and the hacking the iPhone with ZiPhone. Nonetheless, if you want to use your iPhone with two different numbers and you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, head over to UNEASYsilence for the step by step.Update: I'm neither endorsing nor not endorsing the use of ZiPhone. I'm reporting the methodology Dan used. Also the support for two SIM cards is apparently built in to the adapter, not directly in the iPhone OS which rather has support for SIM applications.
More dual-SIM wares on the way from Samsung
As cool as the concept of the Samsung DuoS D880 might be, there's a big problem: it runs in the $700 range at retail. Russian site Smape recently sat down with Samsung's mobile chief for the region, and he plainly admitted that the high cost of the D880's admission is leaving out a large segment of the dual-SIM market -- folks who are looking to minimize costs by using different providers depending on who they're calling -- and the company's looking to address that in the second quarter by adding another DuoS model, the P240 candybar. The new piece is expected to cost 20 to 30 percent less than the D880 while still offering its most important feature -- the two SIM slots, that is -- along with Bluetooth, a microSD slot, and a 220 x 176 display. The rep also mentioned that a WinMo-powered DuoS is in the works for this year, and Symbian's on their radar as well -- though probably not before 2008's out. Samsung had previously shown a DuoS-based version of the Armani, too, but it looks like that's now off the table because they found that managing two SIMs proved difficult with a touchscreen; we personally think we could've managed, but whatevs.[Via Unwired View]
General Mobile's DST3G does two SIMs the 3G way
It's not the prettiest thing we've ever seen, but like several of mysterious manufacturer General Mobile's models, the DST3G candybar supports exactly twice as many SIM cards as your average handset. The whole dual SIM thing is kinda played out at this point, though, so what other ace can you pull out of your sleeve to separate yourself from the crowd? For the DST3G, that ace just happens to be support for UMTS 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 (in addition to GSM with EDGE on 900 / 1800 / 1900), making it a world 3G traveler. Quadband 3G phones are rare enough as it is, but the dual SIM capability on top of that is just about unprecedented. Other goodies include a 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, and QVGA display; look for it next month for a to-be-announced price.
General Mobile's DSTW1: two SIMs, WinMo style
Dual (and triple) SIM phones are a source of endless amusement for us, simply because they continue to be a rare, exotic breed of device that we rarely get to talk about -- much less handle. Add Windows Mobile 6 into the mix, then, and you pretty much have an instant superstar on your hands. That's where General Mobile's DSTW1 comes into play, featuring support for one quadband and one triband SIM, both of which clip along at EDGE speeds. The QVGA display comes in at 2.8 inches, while a 2 megapixel shooter holds down the back end. Memory wise, 64MB is all the RAM you get to play with, but ROM's a decent 256MB with the typical microSD slot available for expansion. Look for it to hit European shelves (and, presumably, the pockets of folks with two wireless accounts) next month.[Via MobileBurn]
Need a different line? Just flip the WND DUO Atom upside down
As we've already seen with the two-faced DUO 2000, WND's pretty creative when it comes to seamlessly accessing two SIMs from the same handset, but this pretty much takes the cake. The company's DUO Atom (not to be confused with O2's Xda Atom) transitions between its two SIMs with a simple rotation of the phone; talk into the other end, and voila, you're on your other line. Specs seem decent, too, with a 3 megapixel camera, 128MB of onboard storage, 220 x 176 OLED display, and stereo Bluetooth, though the Class 10 GPRS has us wanting -- as does the triband GSM radio. So yeah, if rolling two-up on your accounts is your thing and you're okay shunning fast data and a healthy chunk of support for bandwidth in the Western Hemisphere, your stylish conversation piece of a candybar has arrived.[Via Boy Genius Report and Crave]
Samsung's dual-SIM DuoS D880
Dual-SIM handsets are a completely foreign concept in these parts, but in parts of Asia, they're a fairly common sight (three SIMs, though -- that's another story). Samsung's contributing its "DuoS" D880 slider to the fray, offering the capability to rock two SIMs from the same carrier or different carriers and switch seamlessly between the two for voice, data, and text functions. Sadly, the handset tops out at EDGE, though the other specs aren't half bad -- 3.2 megapixel cam, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth, et cetera -- and it looks alright, too. Look for it around a hefty $700 next month.[Via Unwired View]
When two SIMs just aren't enough: the Huatian K998
When will the madness end? How many SIMs must we stuff underneath our batteries before someone dares to stand up against the trend? Hard to say, really, but that number is apparently more than 3. China's Huatian K998 extends the largely Asian trend of loading handsets with dual SIMs by adding a third, but there's nothing really cool or innovative about it since the user has to manually switch between them; it seems the only real advantage is that folks finding themselves walking around with a pocketful of active SIMs can stick three in a handset at once. Other less notable features include a 3 inch touchscreen, microSD expansion, and 1.3 megapixel cam, none of which you'll likely have time to use if you're seriously fielding calls from three lines.[Via Gearfuse]
Hands-on with Qool: hip, stylish... qool
We saw a few "Qool" (sorry, we were mandated to get that in) products at CeBIT this year: the QDA "Glider," QDA "Icon," and the Qool "Twins." The Twins come in two different flavors; the Twins 168 is a tri-band dual SIM handset that allows both SIMs to be active at all times. Rolling with CDMA? Then the T178 is for you, with tri-band GSM, plus a CDMA 800 / 1900 / 1X radio all in one set. This is top-shelf stuff if you are a business traveller -- no need to swap between SIMs to check your messages at home and throwing in the dual-purpose CDMA / GSM model does the same for CDMA users. The Glider is a quad-band Windows Mobile device with a sliding keypad, a 195MHz OMAP850 core, 2.8 inch touchscreen, Bluetooth 1.2, WiFi, EDGE data, and a 2 megapixel cam. This is a solid device and we absolutely loved the red backlit touch-controls mounted on the face. The QDA Icon is touted as the world's slimmest PDA phone with a 4 megapixel camera, and as such, it was given props with an Innovations honour at CES. The touchscreen QDA Icon is available in either dual-band GSM 900 / 1800 or 900 / 1900 versions, with the grunt delivered by a 200MHz OMAP730. Sadly, the only data options are Class 10 GPRS, Bluetooth 1.2 and USB -- no EDGE or HSDPA here. Qool is cool
Be safe, have two carriers on the go
Since Apple's iPhone announcement a little over a month ago, touch screen handsets have been popping up all over our radar screen. As touch screens bet more attention in 2007, the Eliya is a new entrant with an actual distinguishing feature apart from a touch screen and a smartphone operating system -- dual SIM support. There are little and unremarkable tricks to get two SIMs into most phones (yeah, we know many are kinda low-tech), but how about OEM support for two cards? If you're into having two GSM carriers -- maybe one for voice and one for data -- the Eliya will hook you up from the start. No carving into your previous SIMs so you can stick them somewhere in a single SIM slot. Ok, we saved the kicker for last -- this Eliya unit can support both SIMs at once -- and you can be registered on two separate systems as once as well. No switching between SIMs in your phone's menu. Dual registration on two GSM systems at the same time -- and it's only 2007.
Samsung SCH-W569 GSM / CDMA phone shows up on FCC
Dual-mode GSM / CDMA phones from Samsung for Asian release are nothing new, but every time we see FCC test docs pop up for a such a model, we can't help but start to daydream about a possible US release. Today's object of desire is the Samsung SCH-W569, teasing us with a shot of her backside. We know very little about this phone, except what we've gleaned from a no-name Chinese e-shop -- it probably sports a 2.1-inch 240 x 320 display, weighs 92g, and should be dropping over in those parts this month. It'd be nifty if we were looking at dual SIM slots here, but since the phone is dual-mode, we're more likely seeing one SIM and one RUIM. [Warning: PDF link]
