Japan’s largest network carrier NTT Docomo announced today that it has developed a prototype of the world’s first SIM-based authentication device named Portable SIM. The main idea behind Portable SIM is to allow users to wirelessly activate any compatible smartphone or tablet with a simple wave of the hand.
It comes with three main modules such as a SIM card, Bluetooth and NFC. At the moment, the prototype device which is the size of a Wi-Fi hotspot, is being further miniaturised so as to easily fit into wearable devices.
The Portable SIM after being waved over compatible devices, allows the user’s subscriber identity to be transmitted to the device via Bluetooth, thereby bypassing the need to use a physically insert a SIM card. For security purposes, the switched phone number in the smartphone (from the portable SIM) is locked once the Bluetooth link is broken.
Portable SIM is expected to securely store multiple credentials such as IDs and passwords. When you are shopping online or visiting a social network, you do not need to enter your personal login information.
Docomo is also planning to incorporate Portable SIM into other smart devices such as smart TVs, music players and in-car dashboards to bring convenience to customers.
Recently there were rumours floating around that Samsung is also working on a SIM enabled Galaxy Gear – Gear Solo. We also weighed in our thoughts on why that is not such a good idea. NTT Docomo is taking a different approach, at least on paper, but we need to wait and watch till they come out with a retail product.
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