Apple lands important SIM card connector patent

[wraggster]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/12/apple-sim-connector-patent.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/25/apple-lands-important-sim-card-connector-patent/)Sometimes, a patent grant is less about the technology itself than what it could mean for others. Case in point: a newly granted Apple patent for a "mini-SIM connector." The design complements earlier work (http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/apple-patent-ejectable-sim-card-tray-nano-sim-war/) and represents a straightforward approach to a SIM slot that prevents damage from inserting the card the wrong way and ejects the card through a plunger system. By securing the patent, however, Apple gains a bargaining chip in phone technology disputes, especially forSIM-related tussles (http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/apple-mods-nano-sim-design-awaits-nokias-tiny-rebuttal/); companies are less likely to start a fight if Apple can return fire. The claim doesn't give Apple a lock on subscriber modules by any means, but it could lead to other adopters treading carefully.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/25/apple-lands-important-sim-card-connector-patent/