eSIM in iPhone XS

One of the features introduced with the iPhone XS was eSIM. eSIM is somewhat similar to Apple SIM on cellular-enabled iPads. However, it's specific purpose is to allow iPhone users to have two numbers on their one iPhone. What good is this for? The most realistic case is that you frequently travel to another country and have a dedicated plan and phone number in that country. With eSIM, you could have one iPhone and receive phone calls from both numbers. You also can use a local data plan while in another country with eSIM. Currently, there are only a handful of carriers around the world that support eSIM, but it will sooner or later catch up. While iPhone isn't the first one to implement an eSIM, it's another big push to get more carriers on board.

iPhone 7 May Have Multiple SIM Card Trays

According to Engadget, the iPhone 7 could have multiple SIM card trays. This would allow for multiple carriers or phone numbers. It should be noted that this is different from Apple SIM. Apple SIM allows for one iPad to be purchased, and to easily switch between carrier plans.

Image Credit: Rock Fix

Sprint and AT&T No Longer Offer 2-Year Contracts

Sprint and AT&T are no longer offering their 2-year contracts on smartphones. Why is this a big deal? Because that means there are no more major carriers with two-year contracts. T-Mobile stopped doing it in 2013 with their "Un-Carrier" campaign and Verizon did it last year. It should be noted that existing Verizon customers may renew a two-year contract. As far as I can tell, Verizon is the only carrier to let existing customers do this. Anyways, choose your carrier wisely.

Apple SIM Now Supports AlwaysOnline Wireless

For those with a cellular iPad Air 2 with Apple SIM, you can now use AlwaysOnline Wireless as a carrier option. AlwaysOnline Wireless is a carrier that sells short-term data plans. Like, really short. As in, why would you use this little data in 2015? Plans start a $0.99 an hour for 15 MB. Wow. I mean, hey, whatever works for you. If you want to learn more about Apple SIM, check out the official website.

First iPad Pro Ad

With the iPad Pro coming this Wednesday, Apple has debuted an advertisement tonight during Monday Night Football. It shows various planets in extensive detail, eventually revealing that those images are displayed on the new iPad Pro. The iPad Pro is available this Wednesday and will cost $799 for 32 GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity and $949 for 128 GB and Wi-Fi connectivity. There is also a $1079 cellular model with Apple SIM with 128 GB of storage.

Buy iPhone 6s SIM-Free

If you want to buy iPhone 6s without a SIM card, now is the time! You can buy an iPhone without a carrier from the Apple Online Store. This is useful for people who travel to different countries a lot. It's also good for people who want to choose their own carrier and those who don't want to worry about commitments with carriers. You do have to pay full price since it's not with a contract. You can buy a SIM-free iPhone 6s from the Apple Online Store.

Image Credit: MacRumors

AT&T Doesn't Allow Apple SIM Users To Switch Carriers

One of the nice things about the new iPads is the new Apple SIM. This allows you to pick a carrier after you buy an iPad and switch without buying a new iPad. Usually you'd have to buy an iPad with a specific carrier with no way to switch carriers. AT&T has disabled the ability to switch carriers after choosing AT&T. An AT&T spokesperson said "it's just simply the way we've chosen to do it." It's clear they did it so you can't change carriers and support the competition.

Image Credit: John Legere