I can see it being tied to an IMEI range, but not a specific IMEI. Imagine the hassles it would create in replacing the SIM.

Is this a micro or a nano SIM? I wouldn't be surprised if there is more circuitry to this SIM and that you can't cut it down. Then again, it might just be multi-IMSI like a Toggle SIM.

Apparently, it's all about the SIM. Owners of older AIR ipads will be able to pickup the SIM at an Apple store and have the same access..

What hassle exactly?

When you pop a SIM into a device, the source provider is queried. If roaming is turned off, the SIM won't work. If roaming is turned on, the SIM works.

So now we know that all SIMs will ping the source provider when determining if it can be used or not. In this case Apple, or some telco they have selected to partner with, is that source provider.

In the factory the SIM from the source provider is placed in a specific device and the ID of the SIM and the IMEI are sent back to a server as linked to one another.

When you activate the device you are asked whether to activate the SIM. After checking to see if the SIM and IMEI match, your Apple ID is now linked to the pair for payment.

Let's say the SIM is damaged or lost and needs to be replaced. The new SIM is inserted and you are promoted to activate it. You get a notice that the old SIM will be deactivated. You agree and the new SIM is activated for that IMEI and now your Apple ID is linked to this pair.

Seems like a painless process to me. What am I missing with regards to privacy and hassle?

This is something that I'm very excited about. Especially if it comes to the iPhone. I've spent a lot of time running around and getting SIM cards and then trying to get them to work in my iPhone. I ever bought a keepgo sim for my most recent Europe trip as to not worry about getting a different sim in each country. Imagine if picking a cell telecom is as easy as picking a wifi network. Upon landing, turn your phone on and a list of providers pops up. Pick the prepaid plan you want and then input your credit card details (chase ink?). By the time you're at the gate your phone is good to go. Game changer. No wonder the telecoms don't like this idea. I can see why it comes to the ipad first; it's already unlocked. Time to get more providers onboard.

FDW

I imagine that Apple wants to handle the billing through your iTunes account, and perhaps assess their customary 30% commission?

Oh yes. Good point. I'd give up the 5x in return for convenience.

Fdw

Sigh. Looks like if you use the apple sim on att then it's locked to att thus forcing one to get a new sim if one wants to change carriers. Legacy carriers are a PIA.

Fdw

We have been debating at work about how this likely works. We're assuming it is probably entirely software based with Apple's iOS carrier middleware inventorying a relatively ordinary SIM card on a transient basis or an always-on roaming arrangement like Amazon has for Whispernet where the device is effectively always roaming (and effectively making Apple an MVNO) rather than a fancy multi-identity, software defined or remotely provisioned embedded SIM.

May I ask the first eight digits of the SIM's serial number?

I wonder if that would be the case if you traveled to the UK. Would it still be locked to AT&T or would you then be given the option of choosing a local carrier for that country?

Yes, the MNVO aspect makes sense.

Now imagine the next step where Apple controls your master phone number and attaches it to your carrier de jour?

Apple did not make this move, AT&T did. AT&T's "implementation" was not Apple's intent at all.

Regards

Yeah, this article describes it and note that in the end AT&T will just look like jerks.

http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/24/att...-you-pick-att/

Well, that was a short lived honeymoon. Utopia will have to wait.

Did T-Mobile do the same thing as ATT? I read that ones bought at T-Mobile stores would be locked, but the TMobile ones bought at Apple stores wouldn't be locked.

I can't imagine that Apple wants to pick a fight with ATT over this -- at least not at this point.