Apple drops iPhone 5 SIM plan

Apple has dropped plans to include an embedded SIM in its next model of iPhone - a plan that would have seen it try to take on the power of the mobile phone networks - but looks likely to revive it in the iPad, reports Metro.co.uk.

The plan would have seen a SIM card embedded in the next generation of iPhone, meaning that customers would not have to be tied to a lengthy contract with a network when buying the phone. But a report in The Sunday Telegraph suggests that Apple have now abandoned these plans, after threats from mobile operators that they would stop selling the iPhone entirely.

A mobile industry source told the Sunday Telegraph: 'Apple has long been trying to build closer and closer relationships and cut out the operators.

Over the last several months, Apple has been busy filing and receiving patents on a variety of innovations that employ carbon fibres, which will reduce the weight of its popular line of mobile devices, including the MacBook, iPad, iPhone and iPod, notes IP Watchdog.

But now as the holiday gift buying season is starting in earnest, and unofficially starts this Friday - known as Black Friday, there is mounting speculation that Apple will release a new iPad 2 as early as April 2011.

There are some wondering whether the iPad 2 might incorporate the carbon fibre reinforced plastic discussed in some Apple patents and pending patent applications. Such a change would take the iPad away from the aluminum frame currently used, which adds unwanted weight to the device.

Sony Ericsson, by working with parent company Sony, may soon release a smartphone specifically optimised to play video games, the handset maker's chief indicated, states Fierce Wireless.

Sony Ericsson CEO Bert Nordberg said he is aware of recent speculation that the company is working on a 'PlayStation phone,' and hinted that an actual product may be in the works. "There's a lot of smoke, and I tell you there must be a fire somewhere," Nordberg told the Wall Street Journal during an interview. "Sony has an extremely strong offering in the gaming market, and that's very interesting."

Reports have indicated throughout the year that the company is working with Sony on a gaming device, which likely will run Google's Android platform.