Beyond the basic portability of the iPhone, there hasn't been an innovation geared towards global travelers — until the Apple SIM came along to offer users the ability to easily switch between different carriers.
We covered the initial launch of the feature last year, identifying it as one of the best new features to come out of Apple. Yet the feature was initially only limited to a few carriers, and could only be switched between the US and the UK.
Now the company has partnered with GigSky to expand SIM coverage to over 90 countries, making the Apple SIM one of the coolest things to happen to travelers with tablets. That sprint to the nearest newsstand or telecom outlet is no longer necessary when traveling to one of the covered countries. And for those folks who are regularly traveling to multiple countries, the incessant organization of a coterie of SIM cards is no longer a required activity of international travel.
This movement is also quite a relief for companies with many mobile employees, as it enables fewer expenses to track. The user can simply switch over right on the device, creating only one bill and offering a clear pricing model that eliminates surprise roaming bills that can break the departmental bank.
Budgeting also becomes easier as the pricing is fairly consistent and without surprises, as the travel manager can predict needs of workers depend on country responsibilities. This allows for more accurate budgeting that doesn't blow up the expense report.
GigSky is also available independently of Apple SIM devices and can be placed in compatible Android and iOS devices — something else to consider for those who don't have an iPad 2 or iPad mini 3.