[danilocampos]

The catch is Apple's supply chain management just got a ton simpler as they don't have to maintain separate SKUs by carrier for each iPad variant.

[maximumoverload]

Hm. In here, we don't have separate packages for separate carriers.

For all 3 major carriers, you just get your phone and in a separate envelope, you get your SIM card.

[GHFigs]

In the US, major carriers Verizon and Sprint have operated CDMA-based networks whose devices did not use SIM cards. I think it was the iPhone 4 that Apple once shipped 3 different versions of in the US: AT&T (GSM), Verizon (one set of CDMA bands), and Sprint (another set of CDMA bands).

[dmishe]

And that's why you get a SIM pick tool.

In US you just get a phone with everything pre installed and sim tool :). So this thing does make it easier for Apple and a bit more convenient for users

[fps]

what did you do prior to the advent of 10-band GSM radios?

I'm in the US and I've almost always bought cheap unlocked phones and SIM cards, but until recently I've had to hunt around to get the right variant of a phone for my preferred provider. Eg. T-Mobile uses 1700/1900/2100Mhz, AT&T uses 700/850/1700/2300.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies#United_Sta...

The latest iPhones and some other phones now have radios that cover all frequencies, but those radios are expensive and typically only come on phones that cost more than $700.

[baddox]

When I bought my iPad 2, they had separate iPad boxes for Verizon and AT&T. I haven't had a cellular tablet since then.

[sliverstorm]

Apple is all about the "just works". "Some assembly required" is very un-Apple.