Soon digital security firm Gemalto’s new MasterCard PayPass SIM card will make NFC payments possible on all GSM phones—whether smart or dumb. It means that you’ll be able to use the SIM to manage and make mobile payments and—if it’s successful—the SIM could bring the first mass commercial rollout of NFC payments across the world. And this is awesome, because it means we’re another step closer to a wallet-less future. [Gemalto via Engadget]
Making phone calls and browsing the web on your mobile while overseas is like bending over and letting mobile carriers rape you through your wallet. But if you’re travelling to the US or the UK, there’s now a company that allows you to avoid the inevitable lubing up of your credit card before you travel. More »
The Telegraph reports today that Apple has scrapped plans for its own brand of SIM card after carriers threatened to stop selling the iPhone. Theoretically, the integrated SIM could have removed carriers from the purchasing process. Sorry consumers! More »
We’re nine days away from the iPhone 4′s launch, which means it’s time for Telcos to start trying to convince you they’re the best place to get the iPhone. It seems like Optus has struck first with the announcement that they’re offering customers a 2-in-1 SIM card that can be used in your current phone, but has a smaller MicroSIM componenet that can be popped out when you get your iPhone 4. Clever. More »
While SIM cards hold all the stuff address books used to, some people just can’t part from that old ink-and-paper. The SIMbook lets people know that you’re aware of modern technology, yet you choose to go retro. More »
We’re not having any problems, but Ars has found many people complaining about the iPhone 2.0.2 update killing their ability to actually make calls over 3G. Among the people who suffer from no-calling-itis is one guy who took his phone to AT&T and had them swap out the SIM, which somehow fixed the problem. If you’re getting “call failed” on 3G, try switching back to 2G in Settings -> General -> Network and making the call again. [Ars Technica]
In similar style to the SIMable product Wilson showed you back in May, Brando now has its own SIM-hacking device available, and says it works to unlock, unchain, free, liberate—whatever—Apple iPhone 3Gs from being tied to one operator. The slim chip-and-circuit gizmo hugs the rear of your SIM and messes with the signals that go between it and the iPhone (or, indeed, a large number of other GSM and 3G phones) in a way that unlocks the device. Brando’s product still requires you to cut your SIM to make room for the chip aboard it, but it looks a fairly simple operation. And it’s two thirds the price of the SIMable: just US$21. [Brando]
Yeah, USB Fever just started taking pre-orders for this super thin iPhone hardware unlock tool that attaches to your SIM card, but be forewarned — it requires that you cut the corner off your SIM in order to work. If you’re up for the challenge, it will supposedly start shipping on August 20 for US$35. [USB Fever via iPhone Atlas via IntoMobile]
