iPad and micro SIMs
 

So Apple announced the iPad will be unlocked and would use the new micro SIM format.

In the US, they secured a deal for $15/month for 250 MB of data and $30/month for "unlimited" data with AT&T.

But they said they're still working on iPad-specific data plans with carriers in other countries.

How do these plans compare with prepaid data plans in US? Are there unlimited data plans or are those only with contracts?

Since iPhone is popular, one would expect Euro carriers, especially those which already offer iPhone, to come up with data-only, no-contract plans. But is unlimited data common?

And would they adopt this micro SIM format?

h3g has sold this tipe of sim, but, afaik, the only phone that used this mini/micro sim was lg u880, that wasn't really a best selling ....

Where can I get info on the specifications of this micro SIM? Is it incompatible with the old format? Or are there cutters that can turn your old SIMs into the micro variety if you buy a device with such a slot? This format can work wonders with such phones like watch phones.

There are theories about why they went with micrSIMs. Like they didn't want iPhone users to just pop their SIMs into it and avoid paying data for a second device.

Or that they didn't want the favorable plans (no contract, $15 or $30) to be used for other netbooks or tablets.

It could be that Apple is giving AT&T a piece of the sale of the 3G models to get these contract terms and they may be negotiating to do the same with carriers in other countries.

Is the micro SIM an official standard as something allowed to be used?

I'm nervous hearing this kind of news because it could mean a fractured market in the future full of phones that have different type of SIMs in similar way the US has two major technologies in use (GSM & CDMA).

Would assume it's just physically smaller but electrically compatible, like micro SD and SD?

It looks like it will be electrically compatible, and you might use a good template and some scissors. In fact it looks like this is the size used by those dual SIM adapters where you cut two and put them side by side.

micro-SIM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article seems to have been subject to quite competitive editing in the last few days ...

I would think that the best way to stop the SIM from being inserted in other devices was to tie it to the IMEI of the iPad series of devices. All you would need is a cheap plastic SIM sized adapter with a cut out for the Microsim for this to fit any other phone. I expect that you'll find Chinese SIM trays made for the iPhone coming out that will comfortably handle this SIM.

Have any providers in France announced how they will provide data services for the iPad?

Supposedly Apple executives went to the UK just this week to negotiate.

Forget when the 3G versions would be available in Europe.