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Get T-Mobile's 200MB free iPad data plan, even with a different carrier's device
One device, all networks. That's been a fond dream through the iPhone and iPad lifecycle, and while the iPhone 4S remains a unified device (sans 4G LTE support), the iPhone 5c and 5s remain split into CDMA-enabled and pure GSM model numbers. Enter the new slimness. The cellular-capable version of the iPad Air, like the forthcoming iPad mini with Retina display, actually ships in only one flavor: universal LTE. All the US carriers, major and minor (Bluegrass? Aio?) support wireless on the device, and it ships unlocked. Is it, you might wonder, possible to do a bit of gaming the system with nano SIM swaps and network shopping? Specifically, can you take an iPad bought under the banner of the "other 3" US carriers (VZW, AT&T or Sprint) but pop in and use a T-Mobile SIM with its 200 MB of free-for-life monthly data? It seems that the answer is "yes, it is possible." NBC's Devin Coldewey dug into the subject and confirmed with reps from both T-Mobile and AT&T that the SIM swap is feasible, anytime you want to do it. For direct confirmation, MacRumors forums poster Picho affirms that he/she has indeed swapped SIMs from all US carriers into a new iPad Air, with everything working as it should. (Tapbot's Paul Haddad even got the swap to work with a Verizon iPad mini current gen, but it's not clear he's getting full-speed T-Mobile service.) T-Mobile's plan information page suggests that you may need to become a post-paid customer to get the SIM, but you shouldn't need to put any money into the account to get the free data. You can even buy the nano SIM online for 99 cents. As Coldewey points out, plenty of iPad Air buyers may have gone with their primary carrier of choice for their new purchase, but may not intend to spin up data service soon or have it running most of the time. By picking up a T-Mobile SIM card -- you might get one for free, bring your iPad to your local T-Mobile outlet and see what they say -- it's simple to maintain a free account that credits you 200 MB of service for emergency or extremely light data use. Then, for those times when you want the primary network engaged, pop the old SIM back in and roll on. Have you tried this maneuver? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.
Leaked manual for LG G2 confirms nano-SIM slot, no fingerprint reader
The LG G2. We already know plenty about its rear-mounted volume controls, funny cases and passion for classical music. We've even seen a video of the 5.2-inch 1080p handset in the flesh. But a question mark has remained over a couple of basic specs until today, when pages from a supposedly leaked manual appeared at reputed surprise-spoiler Nowhereelse.fr. Assuming the info is legit, which it seems to be, we can say that the thing between the volume buttons on the back of the phone is not a fingerprint reader, as some had hoped -- it's just a power/lock button. Also, the phone will follow in the footsteps of the iPhone 5 and Moto X by housing a nano-SIM slot. But unlike those two handsets, the G2 will offer microSD storage expansion, not to mention a removable 2,610mAh battery. At this point, there's really nothing left to discover except some availability info -- oh no, wait, we have some of that too.
Moto X set to rock nano-SIM, join exclusive club
And then there were three. What you see above is the Moto X along with its SIM tray and a matching nano-SIM. According to GSM Insider, this picture (which we've enhanced) recently popped up in Hong Kong. We've checked the left side of Motorola's upcoming flagship in other leaked images, and the dimensions of the SIM tray opening appear to be correct. A such, the Moto X is poised to follow the iPhone 5 and PadFone Infinity as the third-ever handset to adopt the nano-SIM (4FF) standard. It's unclear why the company chose the new SIM form factor (the phone isn't particularly small), but we'll be sure to ask at Thursday's launch event.
Solavei now selling nano-SIMs for iPhone 5
Solavei is a low-cost mobile service provider in the US that operates on the T-Mobile network. If you've wanted to take your AT&T unlocked iPhone 5 to a cheaper network, up to now, you've had either T-Mobile or Straight Talk as options. Now Solavei is offering those cute, little nano-SIMs to those who subscribe to its US$49 all-you-can-eat network. Our compatriots at Engadget note that T-Mobile's network is still in the process of being rebuilt to handle the faster, better future, so your Solavei experience might not be the best at this point in time. At least, however, there's another option for those who want their independence from the Death Star network. Show full PR text SOLAVEI INTRODUCES NANO SIM CARDS FOR IPHONE 5, OFFERS UNLIMITED VOICE, TEXT AND DATA FOR JUST $49 PER MONTH Solavei's Low-cost, Unlimited Mobile Service is Now Compatible with all Popular Smartphones BELLEVUE, Wash. (March 6, 2013) – Solavei®, an affordable contract-free mobile service provider, today announces the availability of nano SIM cards, compatible with the iPhone 5, and widening the company's phone compatibility to include all major smartphones. For $49 per month, members can now bring popular phones such as Apple's iPhone 5, Samsung's Galaxy SIII or Google's Nexus 4 to Solavei and enjoy unlimited voice, text and data mobile service. Anyone using an iPhone 5 can simply purchase a Solavei nano SIM Card for $9 and sign up for unlimited voice, text and data for only $49 per month. For members looking to switch to Apple's latest iPhone, Solavei's mobile phone partner, GSM Nation, offers a range of unlocked pre-configured phones with six month no interest, no payment financing. Members with iPhones on Solavei service in the newly HSPA+ expanded areas will receive the highest data speeds, and unlike some other no-contract wireless providers, Solavei offers 4GB of high-speed data. Launched September 2012, Solavei has become one of the fastest growing mobile services companies and, in just five months, has paid out more than $6.5 million to its members for sharing great mobile service with others. "We created Solavei to make commerce less expensive for our members while allowing the flexibility to use the mobile phone they love," said Ryan Wuerch, founder and CEO of Solavei. "Solavei is the first company to create an economic linkage between mobile service, social commerce, and social sharing. We believe it's important to give our members great value for unlimited mobile service while using their favorite mobile phone and enable them to earn recurring monthly income for sharing Solavei with their friends and family." How Solavei Works Solavei is a cost-effective mobile phone service with no obligation to share or sign up others. Members who choose to use Solavei's powerful social commerce platform to share the Solavei opportunity with their friends and family can use the money to offset their monthly mobile bill and even have the opportunity to generate recurring monthly income. At its simplest, the plan allows members to earn $20 per month for every three members (called a "Trio") they or someone directly connected to them signs up for mobile service. When members have three Trios, the income generated is greater than their monthly plan cost of $49, essentially making their mobile service free. The more members in a person's network, the more income earned. "As a teacher, I'm always looking for additional streams of income to get ahead and help pay bills," said Jason Reeves, Solavei member from Atlanta. "With Solavei, I'm able to use my iPhone at a much better price than before – free. By simply sharing Solavei with my friends, I've positively impacted their lives and mine." To learn more about Solavei and signup for great mobile service, visit solavei.com.
Solavei starts carrying nano-SIMs for iPhone 5 nomads
Those who want to use an unlocked iPhone 5 in the US beyond AT&T have had relatively few places to go for an exodus, T-Mobile and Straight Talk usually being the two carriers on the short list. It's time to add a third: Solavei is now carrying nano-SIMs for its T-Mobile-based virtual network. There's not much mystery to what's involved after that, since you're still getting the singular, all-unlimited $49 plan and no guarantee of 3G when even T-Mobile's own spectrum refarming is still young. If you can live with those potential caveats for the sake of network and contract independence, Solavei is waiting.
T-Mobile USA nano-SIM poses for the camera, may arrive in October (update: official)
T-Mobile's American branch would really like to scoop up a few iPhone owners, and we're getting a better sense of just how far it's willing to go to lure refuseniks who'd otherwise go to AT&T. A product matrix leaked to TmoNews both shows the US carrier's specially branded nano-SIM cards and suggests they'll be available in October. And while there wasn't really any doubt, the cards should be in stores just for unlocked iPhone 5 models -- "no T-Mobile devices require this SIM card," the company tells its staff. The wait could be a pain, but the sighting at least provides some comfort to those who would only let their iPhone 5 run on Magenta's network. Update: Talk about under-the-radar confirmation: T-Mobile has mentioned in conversation that it hopes to carry nano-SIMs in mid-October.
Want to use one of those new nano-SIMs? You'll need one of these
Thinking of hopping on a new contract, but lacking that smaller SIM standard that the iPhone 5 will be packing? You'd best pick up one of these, then. UK carriers, including Three and Vodafone, are already stocking up on these nano-SIMs, and they're also prepping these tiny adapters to ensure the new cards will work across all their devices. These will convert a nano-SIM to both micro and standard sizes, so we'd advise picking one up the same time you visit the phone store. (We've included a glimpse of Vodafone's nano-SIM after the break.) [Thanks Daniel!]
iPhone 5 confirmed to use nano-SIM, current SIMs not compatible
While Apple was busy announcing the iPhone 5, it left out mention of whether the device would use the recently approved (and Apple-designed) nano-SIM standard. Sure enough, the leaks were right once more -- Apple is relying on that even tinier subscriber module for GSM, HSPA and LTE networks. The company also makes clear that there's no going back, so you'll have to chuck your earlier micro-SIM card if you've got one. Such is the price of progress. [Thanks to Johannes Knapp for the nano-SIM] Myriam Joire and Brad Molen contributed to this report. Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2012 event hub! %Gallery-165164%
iPhone 5: the rumor roundup
We're on the cusp of Apple's sixth iPhone launch, and there's very different expectations than there were last year. The 2011 rumor cycle left more than a few people burned: the later-than-usual October launch and repeated claims of a heavily-remade design led some to a disappointment when the iPhone 4S arrived, even though the final product had a slew of camera, speed and voice command upgrades. This year, the rumors have been grounded well before there was an event date in our hands. There have been fewer instances of wild rumors. Instead, it's been based more around pragmatism, using either tangible leaks or sources that have a solid track record. Think of the perennial leaks from the Wall Street Journal or the increasingly well-established sourcing from iMore and The Loop. Whether you're conspiracy-minded or not, it's been hard to ignore the sheer number of claims that have tamped down expectations rather than inflated them. It's as though there's a collective fear we'll see a repeat of the 2011 hysteria and deal with fans (or detractors) complaining about missing features that were never promised in the first place. Where last summer was full of uncertainty, this year there's a mounting consensus as to what we'll see, how we'll get it, and when. Tracking everything that's been mentioned may be a handful, however. With that in mind, we'll dive in and gauge what's likely to emerge from behind Apple's curtain on September 12th -- as well as what we can rule out from the get-go.
Deutsche Telekom begins distributing nano-SIM cards to partners in advance of rumored iPhone launch
After a protracted battle between Apple, Nokia, RIM and Motorola Mobility earlier this year about the design of a new nano-SIM (subscriber identity module), Apple was the victor and is widely expected to use the new design in the next-generation iPhone. German website iFun.de is reporting that carrier Deutsche Telekom has begun distribution of nano-SIMs to partners in anticipation of the launch of a new iPhone. A translation of the letter accompanying the new cards notes that they are "a new generation of SIM cards for the latest generation of smartphones that come in the near future on the market." While that machine translation is fairly vague, many industry pundits expect the next-generation iPhone to use the new nano-SIM -- and the first appearance of these new SIMs in Germany is a little over a week in advance of the September 12 Apple event where the new phone may be announced. [via AppleInsider]
Nano-SIM for next iPhone makes appearance ahead of launch?
First we saw a supposed leak of the next iPhone's nano-SIM tray, and now we're seeing alleged photos of the nano-SIM itself. iFun posted an image of what it says is a new T-Mobile nano-SIM that has just started arriving at the German carrier. The package apparently came with a message telling carriers that these SIMs are for smartphones about to go on the market, and that they're not to be given to customers -- yet. Cupertino, of course, tweaked its nano-SIM design earlier this year, and this photo does come ahead of an Apple announcement event rumored for next week.
The next iPhone's nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked
Rumors about the new iPhone have basically everything but the screen shrinking. That includes the SIM card and its ejectable drawer. French site NoWhereElse scored some photos of what it claims is the new tray, alongside the 4S version for comparison. As you can clearly see, the new SIM slot is narrower and the insert has a slightly different cosmetic design. If the part turns out to be legit, it will hardly come as a surprise. Apple made a big push for a nano-SIM standard to be adopted over competing designs from Nokia, RIM and Motorola. If the rumors and Cupertino's reliable refresh schedule hold up, you wont have to wait long to find out for sure. The next iPhone is expected to be announced next month. Hit up the source link for a few more photos.
New smaller SIM format becomes standardized
The dust has settled on the SIM (subscriber identity module) battlefield, where companies the like of Apple, Motorola, Nokia and RIM have been vying to have their designs for a next-generation SIM turned into an industry standard. The winning design appears to be a compromise that should make all mobile device manufacturers happy, and the new standard was announced today by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). The new design is 40 percent smaller than the existing micro-SIM standard, meaning that less room will be required in future devices. The new card can be used in existing devices when paired with a carrier frame. The size of the new card -- 12.3 mm x 8.8 mm -- is quite close to what Apple had suggested, and the thickness (.67 mm) is the same as previous iterations. The standard was agreed upon at a meeting of ETSI in Osaka, Japan and the new smaller SIM design should start making its way into devices in the near future. [via Engadget]
New smaller SIM format gets standardized, shrinks 40 percent (update: Nokia gives bitter OK)
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.
Motorola, RIM offer Apple a nano-SIM compromise
The battle over the nano-SIM standard is heating up with Apple on one side and a group that includes Nokia, Motorola and RIM on the other. In the latest series of developments reported by The Verge, Motorola and RIM are countering Apple's nano-SIM proposal with a revised design of their own. This newest design is a compromise which includes elements from both their design and Apple's. It's about "80 percent Apple and 20 percent RIM / Motorola" writes Chris Ziegler for The Verge. We should hear more about the nano-SIM standard when the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) meets at the end of this month in Osaka, Japan.
RIM and Motorola modify nano-SIM proposal, hope to meet Apple halfway
It's been a battle of epic proportions over a microscopic piece of plastic, but the warring sides appear to be working together to find a compromise. We're referring to the fight between Apple and a coalition formed by RIM, Motorola and Nokia as each group attempts to make their own nano-SIM design the ETSI standard. Neither entity has seemed willing to extend an olive branch and come up with any compromise -- until recently. RIM and Motorola have updated their design proposal in an effort to reach middle ground with Cupertino, and it appears that they were more than accommodating in the chip's refreshed look (seen above). So how different can two nano-SIM designs be? Worlds apart, it turns out. For instance, RIM and Motorola have insisted from the beginning that a notch is necessary to allow for "push-push" mechanisms (push to lock the chip in place, push to pop it back out again); Apple, on the other hand, has been entirely anti-notch -- not a surprise, given the fact that the company uses SIM trays on the iPhone, therefore making the concept of a notch completely irrelevant. In its redesign, however, RIM and Motorola took elements from both sides of the fight and combined them. The new look retains Apple's simple rectangular style, but still makes room for a low-key notch on one side. It's difficult to say whether this move will be enough to gain the affection of Tim Cook's company and sway the vote -- Apple is still hard at work modding its own design, after all -- but it's nice to see both factions playing nice with each other prior to the next ETSI meeting on May 31st. Head to the source to see the difference between the original designs and the latest version.
Apple revises nano-SIM design to address Nokia concerns
SIM card maker Giesecke & Devrient attended CTIA and talked to The Verge about the nano-SIM it's designing using Apple's proposed standard. G&D said Apple listened to Nokia's complaint about its design and modified the shape so it would be almost impossible to jam it accidentally into a micro-SIM slot. With Nokia's major gripe now alleviated, Apple's design has a good chance of being approved when the European Telecommunications Standards Institute votes on the standard. According to the report, voting is back underway and could be decided as soon as this week.
Apple mods nano-SIM design, awaits Nokia's tiny rebuttal
Apple and Nokia agree that a smaller SIM card will aid them in their quest to create better phones for us all, but the two disagree about what that new SIM should look like. You see, Nokia claims that Cupertino's proposed card violates ETSI's -- the standards body that'll make the final call on the one nano-SIM to rule them all -- requirement that the nano-SIM design preclude people from fitting it into a microSD slot. Well, that complaint didn't fall upon deaf ears, as Apple apparently put SIM maker Giesecke & Devrient to work making a new version that solves the problem with some additional plastic in all the right places. Of course, this new design doesn't address Nokia's claims that its design is technically superior, so it's unlikely to win approval from its Finnish opponents. While Apple's new nano-SIM seems to eliminate one hurdle in its way, RIM's accusation that Apple's attempt to rig ETSI's decision in its favor has yet to be dealt with. That means it'll be a bit before we know if Cupertino's plan for nano-SIM domination will succeed. Stay tuned. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
Nano-SIM standard vote postponed, RIM accuses Apple of cheating
RIM sent a scathing letter to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) accusing Apple of unfairly trying to sway the upcoming standards vote so its nano-SIM proposal gets approved. The letter, obtained by CNET, claims Apple is having its representatives change their affiliation so they appear to work for Bell Mobility, KT Corporation and SK Telekom. RIM is asking that these representatives not be allowed to cast a vote on behalf of another company. The ETSI was expected to vote on the nano-SIM standard sometime this week, but that vote has been delayed says as report by French financial daily Les Echos. [Via FOSS Patents and Engadget]
Nokia will refuse to license 'essential' patents if Apple's nano-SIM standard is selected
The discussion over a new standard for SIMs is turning into an all-out war. Earlier this week, Apple agreed to offer its SIM patents royalty-free to competitors if two things happen. Specifically, if Apple's nano-SIM idea is adopted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and other companies agree to reciprocate on licensing. Nokia was not pleased with this statement and has told the ETSI that it will refuse to license essential nano-SIM patents if the standards body chooses Apple's design over a competing design proposed by Nokia, RIM and Motorola, says a report by The Verge. Nokia asserts that Apple's proposal "does not meet ETSI's technical requirements and would be inferior for consumers and the mobile industry, unnecessarily increasing the cost of mobile devices." Henry Tirri, Nokia's executive vice president and chief technology officer, adds, "We believe that Apple is mis-using the standardization process, seeking to impose its own proprietary solution on the industry and using ETSI merely to rubber stamp its proposal, rather than following established principles and practices."