Engadget Logo What is the difference between "Apple SIM" to "ESIM" for the Japanese new iPad of the Japanese version of the Engajet?In Japan, IIJ is a successful experiment (Junya Ishino)

The new iPad Pro was a completely new iPad with the home button was abolished and the display was expanded to the whole body. The design is sophisticated, the more metal "plate" has become stronger, and it can be unlocked smoothly by supporting Face ID. Especially when the keyboard is connected, the lock of the screen is unlocked without replacing the finger, so the usability is likely to increase significantly. What is interesting is the two sizes, 11 inches and 12.9 inches. The former is a 10.5 -inch version of renewal, but the home button is probably used to expand the screen size. The 12.9 inches, on the other hand, reduces the body size while keeping the screen size. There is a feeling that the impression of "big" that I felt in the 12.9 -inch version was paid, and it is becoming more and more annoying to choose which one to choose.

▲ Even though the 12.9 -inch version that I thought was "big" can be managed with one hand, it has been mentioned in other articles so far.After that, I would like to look at a new iPad Pro from a mobile point of view.What I want to focus on is that it has changed from Apple Sim to ESIM.Until now, the iPad Pro has been installed with built -in Apple SIM separately from the SIM card slot.

▲ Although it was washed quickly in the presentation, the change from Apple Sim to ESIM is a little specialized in renewal points, but Apple Sim is not a standard, as you can see from the name.Although it was easy to sign a contract with a career directly on the iPad, only the company holding Apple could choose.In Japan, au and SoftBank were supported, but DOCOMO is not supported.Overseas, some countries, such as North America, the UK, and Germany, were able to contract directly with local carriers, but other countries could only use Gigsky, which specializes in roaming.

▲ Apple SIM was a unique specification, so the implementation was closed and only a specific career could be contracted. In the United States, in the United States, the new iPad Pro was adopted by the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, the same GSMA standard ESIM. GSMA is an industry organization where telecommunications carriers from around the world join, and because of the compliance with the specifications here, the possibility that corresponding carriers will increase at a stretch have increased. In addition, since the specifications are open, it is a major difference from Apple Sim that MVNOs can be handled with ESIM equipment. However, in detail, the implementation method may be slightly different from the iPhone. ESIM was opened on iOS 12.1, but the iPhone XR with the same version of the iOS is displayed only for QR code readers to write ESIM settings. The carrier issues a QR code and holds the camera here to set the second SIM.

▲iOS 12.1で開放されたeSIMの設定画面。eSIMのプラットフォームを持つキャリアやMVNOのQRコードを読み取るこれに対し、ハンズオンエリアで触ってみた新しいiPad Proでは、AT&TやVerizonなどのキャリアを選択する画面が現れました。アメリカで行われた発表会のため、上記2社以外にも、T-MobileやSprint、Gigsky、AlwaysOnlineが表示されています。つまり、Apple SIMと同様、一部のキャリア設定は、QRコードの読み取りをする必要なく書き込めるというわけです。iPhoneとiPadではeSIMの用途が少々異なり、後者はどちらかというと海外渡航時のファーストSIMとして使われるケースが多いため、実装方法を既存のApple SIMに寄せたのかもしれません。

▲ When the cellular data item is tapped on the new iPad Pro, multiple carrier names are displayed.

▲ When I tapped the carrier name, I tried to move to the account setting screen.Regarding behavior, it is close to Apple SIM

ESIM of the new iPad Pro, IIJ is supported in Japan

However, the iPad Pro has a menu called "Other", and when you tap it here, a QR code reader has been launched, like the iPhone.By reading the QR code provided by your carrier, you can set ESIM.This is exactly the merit of GSMA standard.Other than the career that Apple listed as a partner, you will be able to provide communication services in ESIM if you have equipment.

▲ When you tap "Other", the situation in Japan may change due to the opening of ESIM with the same QR code reader as the iPhone.When the iPhone XS, XS MAX, and XR were announced, ESIM's corresponding carriers were also shown, but there were no names of three major carriers in Japan.I think that there were quite a few disappointing users, but if you are open, you can respond independently without holding it with Apple.

▲ When an ESIM compatible carrier on the iPhone was announced, there was no Japanese carrier name and the disappointment was expanded ...is.At that time, iOS 12.1 was distributed at the time of the iPad Pro and the iPhone ESIM was opened. According to IIJ, the EUICC of Full MVNO was written in the same version.Euicc is simply like an ESIM ID.In a nutshell, I wrote an IIJ full MVNO service to ESIM and communicated.

▲ Just read the QR code and the settings are completed quickly.Perhaps because there is no partner relationship with Apple, the screen is displayed as "Mobile communication plan that is not guaranteed", but I looked at the situation, but just loading the QR code, it is crispy and iPhone.However, the appearance of dual SIM is impressive.Although it was called DSDS, it seems that it is actually close to DSDV, and while waiting in au volte, I was able to do only data communication with IIJ.At the moment, the new iPad Pro has not been verified, but the specifications to read the QR code were almost the same, so it should be available here.

▲ After setting ESIM, it is the same as the Chinese and Hong Kong version of the physical dual SIM compatible iPhone. By the way, you can use the ESIM of the iPhone if you can set the default to the default in detail. If MVNO provides only data communication services at a discount, it will be easier to switch only data communication to another carrier while leaving the phone number on the first SIM card. If one company starts providing it, ESIM's competition may occur. According to IIJ, the response to ESIM is only in the technical verification stage, and unfortunately, the commercialization schedule at this time has not been determined. However, when I officially launched the ESIM platform, I felt that I would like to provide consumer services. Similarly, I would like to look forward to Rakuten as an MNO who will have ESIM platforms and countermeasures for major carriers.