GigaOM is reporting today that Apple is currently working with SIM-card pioneer Gemalto to create a special SIM card that would give consumers a chance to buy an iPhone online (or at Apple retail stores) and then activate it through the iOS App Store, eliminating the need to go to a carrier’s store.
SIM cards hold subscriber information as well as contacts and are used in GSM devices.
Gemalto’s special new card will be integrated right into the iPhone (in European nations), giving consumers the chance to choose a carrier at the time of purchase and getting the handset up and running almost instantly, without needing to head over to a carrier store.
European carriers have expressed some concern, as it could potentially stop millions of consumers from headed into stores, where they might be inclined to buy accessories or even other devices.
Gemalto was recently in the news for suing Google, HTC, Motorola and Samsung over a patent related to the Android mobile operating system. More specifically, Gemalto is suing over a patent relating to the JavaCard, a technology which allows for Java apps to run on SIM cards.
Result for: retail stores
Sony has reported today that they have shipped 1 million Move motion controllers in the Americas for the PlayStation 3 in just 30 days since launch. Sony Europe reported 1.5 million sales for the EU during the same time.
President Jack Tretton said the Move system is already out of stock in most retail stores and the company expects that strong Move sales will lead to an increase in console and software sales during the holiday season.
“Sales are brisk,” concluded Tretton, via the WSJ.
The Move, when teamed with the PlayStation Eye camera, gives gamers a chance to interact directly with their games using hand motions and other physical movements.
Sony sells the controller by itself for $49 or bundled with a game and the Eye for $99.
Microsoft will begin selling their rival Kinect system on November 4th.
Result for: retail stores
AT&T has finally priced the Dell Streak mini-tablet, selling the 5-inch tablet/phone for $300 with two-year contract and $550 without.
It is still unclear when the Streak will hit retail stores, but Dell and AT&T are already accepting pre-orders on the device.
The first colorway available will be black with red.
Dell launched the tablet/phone in the UK in June, to mixed reviews.
The device has a 5-inch display, phone capabilities, browsing capability, runs the Android OS and has a 5MP camera.
Unfortunately, the device uses Android 1.6, the now obsolete software which has been replaced on most new Android devices by 2.1 Eclair. An update to Froyo 2.2 is promised for later in the year, however.
