Apple Granted SIM Connector Patent
By - Source: Patently Apple
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31 comments
Proposed technology would allow SIM cards to be easily swapped into mobile devices.
Apple has been granted a patent for connectors that are utilized to replace or remove SIM cards in mobile devices.
The patent relates to connectors that allow for multiple methods of inserting a SIM card. One such method is the "plunger system," where a user pushes on a plunger rod to reject the SIM card.
Apple said that the connector patent covers a number of SIM cards, which would supposedly range from the larger standard cards to the company's own micro-SIM cards for its iPhone (nano-SIM card for the iPhone 5).
The filing mentions iOS devices including the iPhone and iPad, but it can also apply to MacBooks and media centers, Apple said.
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And of course they are out of original ideas. Which means they actually have to do something besides slightly refreshing existing hardware since their lord and savior isnt there to berate them into their next product and wont be coming back to save their asses this time if they dont actually make something new and interesting without him.
Tick-Tock, Apple, Tick-Tock!
And of course they are out of original ideas. Which means they actually have to do something besides slightly refreshing existing hardware since their lord and savior isnt there to berate them into their next product and wont be coming back to save their asses this time if they dont actually make something new and interesting without him.
Tick-Tock, Apple, Tick-Tock!
Considering how long ago standard SIMs have been around, I am a little surprised there would still be any sensible insertion/removal methods left to patent that haven't already been used elsewhere.
Wish companies that file large amounts of frivolous patents could get fined for wasting the PTOs' time... companies have better things to do than go through every possible but not necessarily practical ways of plugging things into each other just to bypass silly patents that are just a minor tweak to sometimes 50+ years old concepts.
2. First thing I thought of was a drive caddy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caddy_(hardware)
Apple is in trouble? Check the recent windows phone/win 8 fail, and lets talk about trouble. Lets talk about having to adapt your entire new OS to fit a world that already moved ahead long ago, and still failing overall. Windows 8 is gorgeous, but is absolutely worthless in almost every other respect. I love having a "start" screen before having to switch back to "desktop" mode. What a calamity.
We all know Microsoft isn't going anywhere. We should also assume that Apple isn't going anywhere either. Them grabbing up patents is merely greed, and nothing else. A company being this lame isn't anything totally new.
Sure, if you smother out what all the other companies are doing/can do in the future you're sort of guaranteeing success, but it also forces people to innovate, and this is where I think Apple may be shooting themselves in the foot. I honestly think they're going to force other companies to innovate completely new products to work around all their patent BS and just might find themselves behind the curve because of it.
While I am a huge Apple fan, I also like the fact that there are alternatives if Apple every goes in a direction I don't like. I like that. I like the fact that I switched from Windows to Apple after a lifetime of using Windows, and can see the merits of both OS(and other OS's for that matter) just by being a bit open minded. I'm currently trying to do it with Win 8, but I'm not loving the experience.
Its just funny to me that so many people are waiting for Apple to fail. Like they're going to personally benefit from Apple going under. Like they actually have personal vendetta against the company. I'm guessing that all of the readers and posters here on Toms Hardware are at least of average intelligence, with the majority being well above the average mark. I find it hard to imagine so many smart people that are obviously tech savvy with a mind for the future are so concerned with making anti Apple post at every turn, with no real benefit other than feeling satisfied that you've fired off incognito style on the internet.
Windows Phone? No thanks... Windows 8 ruined any opportunity I might give that. SurfaceRT or Pro? Not interested...at all, Android is doing quite well...why would I want or need to take the risk of buying a Surface? Anyone?
Do the patent office is still in a cave. Who in the right mind awarded this bull$hit.
We need to have a class action law suit against the patent office. Enough is enough. Apple. And others. Abuse a stupid system
Windows Phone? No thanks... Windows 8 ruined any opportunity I might give that. SurfaceRT or Pro? Not interested...at all, Android is doing quite well...why would I want or need to take the risk of buying a Surface? Anyone?
I don't have. Or want. Surface. But a tablet that plugs,and plays easily with active Directory, runs windows features, supports remote access etc. is big for business. Why integrate ios if you can plug and play windows? Its very good for companies and for admins. and for people remote and on call.
Its "lazy" but when I get called at 3am id love to be able to remote access on my tablet. or phone. And take care of it. From bed. Or being out. Instead I have to disconnect and haul my laptop everywhere.
Adapting an old mechanism to new card formats seems far too trivial and obvious to be patent-worthy.
Same goes for pop-in, pop-out type slots which are based on the same fundamental mechanism as push-on, push-off switches from 50+ years ago, you just use stronger springs and slap an appropriate caddy and contact fingers for the card on in place of the switch's button and electrical components.
That argument is as valid as saying Bill Gates not allowing Apple products to being in his household because Apple products suck.
Apple is capitalism done right, and they take advantage of everything like every other company does to maximize profit and slow down their competition. They have good lawyers, and no government policies are invincible to loopholes and their own faults. Unlike printing new currency bills and destroying all old bills to prevent or reduce counterfeiting, changing the patent system is like patching Java.
I'm surprised no one is complaining about Google, but I guess everyone here reads "non-bias" tech news.
I'm confused? You're saying his statement is extremely valid?