Apple SIM For iPad Air 2 Lets You Choose Your Data Network

This is really interesting – Apple just introduced its iPad Air 2 on Thursday, which will be available from carriers around the globe, but there’s a compelling new feature in it that we hadn’t noticed before. It’s called Apple SIM and apparently allows you to activate the iPad Air 2 on your network of choice in the U.S., either AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint, or outside of the U.S. on EE, to use it when needed. Obviously you’ll still be able to buy an iPad Air 2 from Verizon, but these are the carriers that are participating in the new Apple SIM program.

“The new Apple SIM is preinstalled on iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular models,” Apple explains on its site. “The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the U.S. and UK right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you — with no long-term commitments. And when you travel, you may also be able to choose a data plan from a local carrier for the duration of your trip.”

That sounds pretty awesome to us, though you’ll need to make sure you pick up an iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular model for this to work. And, since it’s pay-as-you-go, you can sign up for something like T-Mobile’s $10 per month plan, which provides 1GB of data per month.