ARM announcing ISim (Sim Card + Processor in one package)

[Deus Voltage]

Arm is attempting to combine two technologies into one, sim cards and processors. Basically, they're trying to mass produce and share the design of what they call "I-Sim' with their respective partners. I can definitely see several advantages to this sort of technology, such as size reduction of phone bezels due to the reduction of phone components. The deficit in physical size can also translate into less cost, which is precisely ARM's goal (check articles linked below).

 

Note: this is different from Google's Pixel XL2's E-SIM which is "permanently' embedded in the phone itself.

 

 

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Sources:

 

The Verge:

 

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/21/17030040/isim-arm-iot-sim-card-cellular-mwc-2018

 

Android Police:

 

https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/02/21/arm-announces-isim-technology-embedded-devices/

 

Gizmochina: 

 

https://www.gizmochina.com/2018/02/22/arm-technologies-announces-isim-iot-devices/

[lewdicrous]

17 minutes ago, Deus Voltage said:

The deficit in physical size can also translate into less cost

That's gonna happen eventually, but I feel like it's gonna be expensive for the first few generations ('cause of component costs)

[Blademaster91]

Upgrade the processor with a new SIM card? This is neat.

[bcredeur97]

neat..

1 of 2 things will happen:

1. Every phone is going to have it and it'll be amazing

 

2. It'll die off and fail.

[Doobeedoo]

Always wondered how would you so called extract the SIM if like phone breaks for example. 

[Guest]

Quote

SIM OS running on secure enclave

Do we really need a discrete OS for the SIM card? As ARM is more open, I'd be surprised if this started to gain more capabilities than it should (Thinking along the lines of IME and its network stack even if it does have its use) but its worth a thought.

[DildorTheDecent]

>embedded devices

 

I don't need my toaster to be on the internet. No thx.

[Shreyas1]

Meh, I would prefer storage as you could transfer all your data while transferring your SIM card 

[Trixanity]

23 minutes ago, hobobobo said:

I dont understand this, is this for the 5g capable devices, since 5g is designed mostly for cars fridges cettles and whatever else you want to make smartish? Or is it mostly b2b thing, for oems to be able to use esim but cheaper? a non-removable sim card is already a sketchy thing, sure its nice if you use 1-4 different sims on the regular, but for people switching sims like a glove (or people who travel alot and get those tourist sims) its just a hassle

5G is designed for everything to be connected - that includes existing devices.

 

The point of integrated sim (in whatever form) is to be able to swap virtually at will (maybe even have multiple active virtual sims). However I suspect there are multiple interests including service providers working against it. And it's also possible (despite the paradox) that this approach makes things more expensive especially for travellers who are used to switching frequently. Then there's network support which throws the ball into the hands of service providers. That's not good. 

 

So in theory it should be better and easier for you but in practice it's probably gonna be worse - maybe a lot worse if corporate gets their way.