sims

Some of the most prominent mobile companies in the world are working on a new standard for SIM cards. The only issue is, they can't seem to come to an agreement. But three of those firms yesterday tried to get one step closer to an accord.

According to The Verge, citing sources, RIM, Nokia, and Motorola yesterday unveiled a new concept design for the nano-SIM standard. The card itself looks similar to its elders, featuring a rectangular design with a notched corner. However, like other nano-SIM design concepts, the latest from RIM, Nokia, and Motorola is extremely small, potentially … Read more

The new TL1 all-in-one racing, flight, and first-person-shooting motion simulator comes with some pretty neat hardware. This includes a spherical screen utilizing three projectors to deliver a whopping 5,760x1,200-pixel resolution, as well as a fully adjustable seating system that supports optional motion transducers.

Moreover, the Ariel Atom's auto DNA gets incorporated through a sleek 8-foot by 7.8-foot by 6.5-foot shell that houses all the components with steel and composite materials. … Read more

Zombie Lane is a freemium simulator-style game that's part FarmVille (iOS) and part "The Walking Dead." It's got the addictive elements of an empire-building simulator, plus all the undead charm of a zombie apocalypse. In other words, it's something of a dream come true for me, minus one major element (I'll get to that later).

In Zombie Lane you are one of a handful of survivors, fending for your life as zombies rip your neighborhood to shreds. Armed with only a shovel and a few shotgun shells to start, your goal is to reunite … Read more

A lot of hype and eager anticipation surrounded the release of Nokia's Lumia 900 smartphone yesterday. People debated whether to ditch their iPhones in lieu of this cheaper yet still high-end featured mobile device.

However, it seems this latest Windows Phone is off to a rocky start -- several owners of the 900s report that their new devices aren't connecting to AT&T's data networks.

"Got my new lumia 900 yesterday from at&t, everything's fine EXCEPT THE WEB," wrote one user on Nokia's Support Discussions. "Any 1 has the … Read more

As of April 8, AT&T is unlocking iPhones. Now, it won't unlock just any iPhone; there are stipulations you'll have to meet before being freed from the carrier.

The requirements, according to a statement issued to CNET, are: "...that a customer's account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies, or paid an early-termination fee."

If your account and device fall … Read more

Apple has been on a patent frenzy as of late.

According to Patently Apple, which follows the company's intellectual property, Apple has filed for a patent that relates to how SIM cards are removed and replaced in devices, and how the cards are kept safe from harm in the process. The blog says that Apple is trying to patent a "plunger"-like system for ejecting a SIM card, and use nonconductive material to safeguard the SIM. The patent includes a host of other embodiments that attempt to achieve the same goal.

Apple has been focusing quite heavily … Read more

A decision on what will be the next SIM card technology for smartphones and other portable devices has been delayed following a spat between competing hardware makers.

In a statement today, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) said that it is postponing its decision on what's come to be known as nano-SIM until the end of May.

"The committee decided to delay any vote on the subject in the interest of trying to achieve a broad industry consensus, which is in keeping with the preferred decision making process at ETSI," the group said in a statement.

The … Read more

Research In Motion has accused Apple of trying to unfairly sway the vote on an upcoming vote on new SIM card technology standard.

The Cupertino company is trying to skew the results by having company representatives change their company affiliation when they cast their proxy votes, according to a letter RIM sent to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the standards group deciding the issue.

The letter (see below), filed yesterday, alleges that three Apple employees had registered as representatives for Bell Mobility, KT Corp., and SK Telekom. RIM also claims they should not be allowed to participate in the … Read more

A sign we live in the future: the next SimCity requires an Internet connection to launch the game, Maxis lead designer Stone Librande said in a recent interview with Joystiq.

Origin, everyone's favorite game distribution punching bag, must run on the computer to launch SimCity. After the initial Origin log-in, you can play SimCity offline without an always-on Internet connection.

The emphasis on an online experience revolves around the expanded multiplayer element, which includes a global economy, regional opportunities, and wide-area issues (pollution, disasters, etc.). This development may startle some veterans of the city builder, as one typically built cities and regions in an offline environment when playing previous versions of SimCity. … Read more