Moving from regular SIMs to micro SIMs for the iPad and iPhone 4 was a fairly user-hostile move on Apple’s part, seeing how it made moving between an iPhone and virtually any other GSM device quite a bit more difficult; the official explanation (for the iPhone 4, anyway) was that there simply wasn’t room for a regular SIM, but that seems unlikely considering that you’re only saving 10mm of length, 3mm of width, and 0mm of thickness. A more plausible scenario is that Apple viewed micro SIMs as a way to get ahead of the industry curve a bit and make it unpleasant for users to try to share an iPhone line with other devices, a concept that gets at the core of Apple’s mantra of owning the entire ecosystem from end to end. But could they be trying to take that concept another step further? GigaOM is reporting a rumor today that Apple is working tightly with security firm Gemalto — you know, the SIM guys — to integrate software-reconfigurable SIMs right into European iPhones that would be activated on the carrier of your choice using an App Store download. Why European models? Multiple carriers offer the iPhone in a number of European countries, so distribution is a bit more complicated there than it is in the US, though it’s a reasonable leap to suggest that the same integrated SIMs would be use on new North American iPhones as well. From Apple’s perspective, it’s a win-win: trying to use your iPhone line with another device would be akin to pulling teeth, and more importantly, Apple wouldn’t need to worry about bundling carrier-specific SIMs with devices. In fact, the move would make Apple’s (and the consumer’s) interactions with the carrier entirely virtual, all the way from manufacture to activation. Seems like the plan would require an extraordinary amount of buy-in from carriers who’ve become increasingly suspicious of Apple’s goals lately — but then again, they managed to get carriers to suddenly and rapidly deploy micro SIMs en masse, and if anyone could pull this off, it’d be Steve’s boys and girls. Apple, Gemalto working on integrated SIM for next iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Alcoholic energy drinks are facing further scrutiny after Central Washington freshmen were hospitalized after consuming the beverage Four Loko. (Oct. 27)
Continue reading …
In campaigns around the country, Democratic candidates and committees are advertising on behalf of more extreme independent opponents in the hopes of dividing the Republican vote, Politico reports. Some of the ads cleverly represent themselves as critiques, while using iconography and text designed to appeal to the Republicans to whom they are consciously sent. For instance, one mailer places the following text over a scenic vista and waving American flag: “We need to act boldly to turn our economy around … but if Gregory Gilman gets to Congress, his first act would be to drastically reduce the size of government.” Politico via Political Wire : Behind-the-scenes collaboration between local Democratic officials and tea party activists in a handful of isolated races has already been reported — just last week, in suburban Pennsylvania’s open 7th District, Democratic nominee Bryan Lentz finally admitted his campaign’s role in helping a tea party candidate get on the November ballot after months of avoiding the question. But the divide-and-conquer strategy has become more widespread — and coordinated — through television ads, robocalls and mailers in recent weeks as races have tightened and it’s become more apparent that just a few percentage points could end up swinging the outcome in many races. Read more Related Entries October 26, 2010 The Shifting Balance of Power October 26, 2010 Hedges Discusses, Debates ‘Death of the Liberal Class’
Continue reading …
A scuba diver in Maine who came face-to-teeth with a shark used a camera to fend off the animal when it came at him with its teeth bared, and he has the frightening video to prove it. (Oct. 27)
Continue reading …
Paris: The French parliament on Wednesday adopted President Nicolas Sarkozy’s fiercely contested law on pension reform after a final vote by MPs despite weeks of nationwide protests and strikes. The National Assembly voted 336 for and 233 against the final draft of the law, which will increase France’s minimum retirement age from 60 to 62, amid ongoing protests that have threatened to bring the country to a standstill. Sarkozy must now sign off on the law and publish it in the official gazette, which a presidential advisor has said will happen on or around November 15. Unions have nevertheless called for a ninth day of action tomorrow, including strikes and protest marches in more than 100…
Continue reading …
Thanks to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, corporations can go crazy with campaign funding (oh, and they are) without even having to make it clear where their money goes. This is the democracy of the future! Related Entries October 26, 2010 The Shifting Balance of Power October 26, 2010 Hedges Discusses, Debates ‘Death of the Liberal Class’
Continue reading …
The actor knows his character Jake Sully may not be at the center of the next “Avatar” movie – and he’s fine with that. (Oct. 27)
Continue reading …Roku makes hardware and software available to license, embedded TVs can’t be far out
October 27, 2010 No Comment
Aw, suki suki now! Roku — the guys responsible for taking over your living room — just announced that it’s making its hardware and software platform available to license. At first glance, you may assume this means little to nothing for consumers, but you’re (hopefully) mistaken. If you’ll recall, the Roku XD was rebranded in order to slip into Netgear’s vast sales channels, but the software part of this equation has our interest very much piqued. We’ve already seen Vudu’s software baked into a number of HDTVs, and we’re envisioning a future filled with world peace, In-N-Out for all and Roku-embedded television sets. We’ll take two outta three if we have to, though. Continue reading Roku makes hardware and software available to license, embedded TVs can’t be far out Roku makes hardware and software available to license, embedded TVs can’t be far out originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
LAGOS, Nigeria – Artillery rockets like those often used by insurgents in Afghanistan were found to have filled an illegal arms shipment intercepted at Nigeria’s busiest cargo port, raising security questions about the oil-rich nation before its upcoming presidential election. Officials allowed journalists visiting the holding yard just inside of the port’s main gate Wednesday to see the 107 mm rockets, rifle rounds and other weapons seized at Apapa Port. Authorities said the shipment also contained grenades, explosives and possibly…
Continue reading …
As he prepares for Saturday’s “Rally to Restore Sanity” in Washington, D.C., Jon Stewart has been using his “Daily Show” platform to rustle up funds to help shape up and beautify the National Mall in our nation’s capital. Related Entries October 26, 2010 The Shifting Balance of Power October 26, 2010 Hedges Discusses, Debates ‘Death of the Liberal Class’
Continue reading …