AC, DougS etc...
STFU you complete and utter cretins. Especially AC, fool of the month.
Benefit to the consumer? None.
Benefit to the manufacturer AND operator? Absolutely.
Follow the money, there is no other logical reason for this.
Micro-SIM size is NOT a problem in tablets or current phones.
Preventing removable backs, trays, slots are what Crapple and Shamedung are aiming at. An unopenable, unchangeable device. Taking away consumer choice.
No access to the internals? Then no need for removable, replaceable battery, you'll just have to replace your entire phone every year, when the limited life battery dies.
Remove MicroSD slots? Sure, then charge multiple times normal cost (like Crapple) for internal memory.
No physical SIM? Great, manufactuers can limit operators? Plenty of money to be made from that.
Operators have unprecedented control over number/phone combination?
What could go wrong...?
Fools.
iPads already have them? So fucking what? They are NOT mobile phones, and the vast majority of people do not to roam with mobile enabled tablets. They roam with their mobile phones.