Apple is planning to take its quest for the slimmest and lightest devices to the next level. The company's 3G devices like iPhone 4 and
3G iPad 2 use microSIM card but now the Cupertino company is trying to persuade telecom companies to adapt newer smaller SIM cards. Apple is also rumored to have filed a proposal with European Telecoms Standards body or ETSI. However, do not expect upcoming iPhone 5 or 4S to feature this new SIM as the whole process may take more than a year.
MicroSIM also owes its success to Apple, which was among the early proponent for the tinier version. Initially, the petite version was used for 3G iPad1 and later its use was extended to iPhone 4. Though, last year Apple was also speculated to be engaged in the works related to a special type of SIM that would have allowed the company to completely bypass the telecom carrier companies and offer its direct telephony service. However, the proposal was nipped in the bud as Apple's partner telecom companies threatened to withdraw product subsidies.
The new SIM card may generate some compatibility issues but these issues can be easily resolved by the telecom companies. However, SIM cards are poised to undergo transformation one way or another as the various companies are now looking to embed services such NFC into SIM cards than in the devices itself. Seemingly, the work is also on for making SIMs compliant with remote activation. These new SIMs are expected to make their debut some time in 2012.