Apple wants a smaller SIM

Submits new requirement to Euro standards body so it can make even skinnier devices.

An Orange exec told told Reuters that the application had been made, and that the new SIMs could roll out next year.

"We were quite happy to see last week that Apple has submitted a new requirement to (European telecoms standards body) ETSI for a smaller SIM form factor – smaller than the one that goes in iPhone 4 and iPad," said Anne Bouverot, Orange's head of mobile services.

Since the SIM's introduction, the cards have been miniaturised twice, with the smallest form being the micro-SIM, which is found in Apple's iPhone 4, and both generations of the iPad.

The new card would replace this, and be adopted by other device makers and operators.

There is another possibility though, as it has been reported before that Apple is talking to SIM maker Gemalto about an embedded SIM that would not be swappable, but would enable further shrinkage of the form factor.