Conflict is brewing in the mobile world over the adoption of a new, smaller standard for the SIM card — the chip in each GSM phone that dictates which network you connect to and your cellphone number. On one side is Apple, which introduced the incumbent Micro SIM in its iPhone 4 and is pushing its own design for the new nano-SIM. Opposing Apple are Motorola, Nokia, and RIM, who believe that their design is technologically superior and less likely to cause damage to a handset since it's harder to improperly insert it. Apple has said that, should its design be adopted, it will license any related patents to its competitors royalty-free on condition that they reciprocate in kind. However, industry body the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (or ETSI) still has to decide which standard to adopt — follow the whole story right here.
Vodafone stockpiles 500,000 nano-SIMs, hints at imminent iPhone 5 announcement
Just one day before the latest iOS handset is expected to make its debut, the carrier mistakenly posted a blog article titled "First photos of Vodafone nano-SIM cards." In the post — which was quickly deleted but preserved thanks to Google Cache — Vodafone reveals it presently has a huge stockpile of 500,000 nano-SIMs in stock and says "the first devices have now been announced."
Carriers ordering nano-SIMs ahead of next iPhone launch, FT reports
The Financial Times is reporting that European operators are "stockpiling" nano-SIMs ahead of the launch of Apple's next iPhone.
Apple wins the nano-SIM fight, says SIM card maker Giesecke & Devrient
The long and contentious battle for the exact shape of the nano-SIM / Fourth Form Factor (4FF) technically came to a close on June 1st . The design firm Giesecke & Devrient has said that Apple's design is the one that was chosen by the ETSI.
ETSI names new nano-SIM format, 40 percent smaller than Micro-SIM
ETSI has named the successful nano-SIM format, designed to be 40 percent smaller than existing SIM technology.
RIM, Motorola told Apple they could find a nano-SIM compromise: here it is
A new nano-SIM design proposal from Motorola and RIM seeks to strike a compromise between Apple's proposal and an older submission from Motorola, RIM, and Nokia.
Nano-SIM update: Apple design modified to fix concerns, standard will be decided this month
SIM maker Giesecke & Devrient notes at CTIA that Apple's proposed nano-SIM design has been revised to prevent jamming in larger slots.
ETSI vote on nano-SIM standard postponed due to dispute between Apple and Nokia
The ETSI vote scheduled for this week to decide on a new nano-SIM standard has been delayed by a month following patent-related disputes between the proposing companies.
RIM claims that Apple is trying to cast illicit proxy votes for nano-SIM standard, protests to ETSI
The battle over the future of the SIM card heated up yesterday when Nokia threatened to withhold 'essential' patents if Apple got its way, and RIM is now lashing out at the Cupertino company as well.
Nokia won't license 'essential' patents if Apple's nano-SIM standard is selected
Nokia is now threatening to withhold the licensing of patents it believes would be "essential" to an Apple-led nano-SIM proposal to be voted on by ETSI later this week.
Nokia claims Apple has no patents to back up its nano-SIM standard
Nokia has claimed that Apple's nano-SIM proposal is simply designed to undermine its own standard, with a lack of patents to back it up. The ETSI will vote on the proposals later this week.
Nano-SIM war: here's what Apple and Nokia want to put in your next phone
The Verge has obtained detailed information on the so-called "nano-SIM" proposals from Apple, Nokia, and RIM.
Apple's nano-SIM standard would be royalty-free if approved by ETSI, claims insider
Apple has reportedly sent a letter to the other members of ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute) assuring them that, should they ratify its proposed nano-SIM standard, it'll happily license all necessary patents out to them without asking for royalties.
Nokia takes Apple to task over nano-SIM proposal: 'does not meet all of the pre-agreed requirements'
Nokia has responded to a Financial Times report that it is battling with Apple over the next-gen "nano-SIM" standard.
Apple fighting Motorola, Nokia, and RIM over nano-SIM standard
The Financial Times is reporting that Apple is fighting with Motorola, Nokia, and RIM over the final design of the new nano-SIM standard ahead of an ETSI vote next week.
SIM card pioneer debuts nano-SIM, destined to make swapping phones even harder
One of the originators of the SIM standard has designed a new "nano-SIM" that's considerably smaller than the micro-SIM it hopes to replace.
