SIM struggle
Apple is rumoured to have shelved its plan to cut out phone carriers in a strategy U-turn after operators threatened to stop subsiding pricey iPhone handsets.
While no hard facts were confirmed, it was believed that Apple had buddied up with SIM-card maker Gemalto to create a card that could allow European iPhone wannabes to buy a phone directly from Apple and get it working straight away though its App Store.
Currently operators pay Apple £375 for each iPhone they sell, recouping the money from customers' 24 month contracts, however Apple's rumoured plan would have cut out the middle man...and he wasn't happy about it, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
One anonymous source at a mobile operator told the newspaper: "Apple has long been trying to build closer and closer relationships and cut out the operators. But this time they have been sent back to the drawing board with their tails between their legs."
While Apple would seem to be thwarted in its aim to sell its mobile direct to consumers, it is rumoured to build a SIM card into its iPad.
The Telegraph's source reportedly said Apple would roll out integrated-SIM versions of its popular tablet in time for Christmas or in early 2011. It would appear that it might be able to sell its iPad in a way it seemingly can't sell its iPhone as the tablet is not subsidised at all by UK mobile operators.
Meanwhile, more iPad 2 rumours are circulating, the latest fuelled by an Apple patent, which reportedly shows the next generation tablet's shell could be composed of a single piece of carbon fibre to give it better wireless reception and cut its weight- a criticism of the current tablet, T3 reported.
And adding weight to rumours of an early 2011 release of the next iPad, a trio of suppliers have claimed to be providing parts for the iPad 2 and that shipments of the iPad will ‘ramp up' in February of next year, Digitimes reported.
Ibiden, Tripod Technology and TTM Technologies have all claimed to be shipping any-layer HDI boards for iPad 2 in small quantities in December, sources told the Asia-based website.
