AT&T ruined the best part of Apple’s new SIM cards

As per our report last week, one of the special features of Apple’s new iPads is the fact that it comes with a special SIM card that allows users to choose their carrier from a software menu, as opposed to having to physically swap out SIM cards belonging to other carriers. It sounds like a pretty great idea and perhaps an idea that could become the standard in the future.

The idea behind the Apple SIM that comes in the new iPads is most excellent: one SIM, many carriers. Whenever you want to switch carriers, you’d just pop into settings and pick the new one. If you want to bring your own SIM, you can — but otherwise, everything happens through software. No swapping SIMs, no ordering new SIMs, no hassle. Alas, someone had to go and throw a wrench in the gears. AT&T (who else?) is mucking up the whole thing. For now, the Apple SIM is compatible with four carriers: T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T in the US, and EE in the UK.