Katie MarsalAccording to The Telegraph, Apple has given up on its plans to bypass carriers. One source told the U.K. publication that Apple was "sent back to the drawing board with their tails between their legs."
While Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans for embedded SIM cards in the iPhone, it will allegedly push ahead with that technology for the iPad. The publication claimed that Apple could offer a new iPad with an integrated SIM card before Christmas, or early next year.
However, the report also incorrectly said that a "new version" of the iPad will be released within a few weeks, and will turn the orientation lock switch on the right side of the device into a mute switch. This change will not be done with a "new" device, but rather the forthcoming iOS 4.2 software update for existing first-generation iPads.
In October, it was reported that Apple was developing an open SIM card that would allow users to shop for mobile carriers directly from the Apple Store. The integrated card would allegedly allow iPhone buyers to activate their service without having to call or visit a mobile carrier.
In addition to allowing users to select a carrier right from their phone, a programmable integrated SIM would also enable users to travel the globe and initiate service without having to obtain a unique SIM card for each carrier in a different country.
But last week reports began to emerge that European carriers were threatening Apple that they would cut subsidies if a new iPhone with an embedded SIM card were released. Carriers accused Apple of trying to gain control of customers, essentially marginalizing the role carriers play with iPhone users.
Mike Wuerthele
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
William Gallagher
91 Comments
Hahahahahaha. Chicken apple.
I would think the EU would be all over this protecting the rights of consumers, blah blah blah.
It's been hard to tell what Apple has been up to for a long time. Three days ago I read an article about European carriers threatening (internally only) to stop subsidising the iPhone should Apple release an embedded SIM version. Now according to The Telegraph (which more than likely is just trying to sell subscriptions, truth be damned!) Apple has been sent back to the drawing board.
BS.
Someone's just trying to make a buck off the old rumor mill.
After carriers threatened to stop offering subsidies for the iPhone, Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans to create an embedded SIM card that would allow users to choose and switch carriers more easily...
This is a pretty weak article.
One person, at a carrier no less, tells a dodgy British newspaper that Apple has "failed" at this, and we are supposed to just believe it?
Also, the source article not only completely misrepresents the technology in question (which could easily be implemented *without* giving Apple or the consumer excessive control over the carriers), the last paragraph of the article announces that a new iPad model "is expected to be released within few weeks." Yeah, right.
The source article is questionable at best, and written by someone who doesn't know squat about iPads, software, etc. It's probably based on a simple phone call from someone "in the know" (they think) at one of the carriers to some dumb-ass reporter who just laps it up. Said reporter doesn't seem to know the difference between a software update and a new device. I wouldn't take this rumour to the bank.
So where's the ever-vigilant anti-trust enforcers from the EU? Sounds to me like this is blatant anti-competitive collusion on the part of the carriers and that the big loser is the consumer. If the EU anti-trust authorities are really about anti-trust (as opposed to protecting European companies and attacking American companies), then they should step in here.
I'm not holding my breath.