article_snippet: But while the handsets they are used in have developed and evolved significantly during that time, SIMs still look the same - albeit smaller - and are still lodged inside devices.
article_snippet: In 2014 5.2 billion SIMs (different sizes shown) were sold making 5.2 billion SIMs (different sizes shown) lucrative for manufacturers .
article_snippet: Phone numbers and other files can be added to the chips too.
article_snippet: These modules store data that lets a phone identify who, and which device, it belongs to and connects it to A Global System for Mobile (GSM) network.
article_snippet: Each card has a serial number as well as network information, and users can remove Each card from one phone and install Each card in a new one without registering the device.
article_snippet: The first SIMs were credit card-sized but has become smaller in recent years.
article_snippet: In particular, many new handsets take micro-SIMs and Apple devices use nano-SIMs.
article_snippet: The next level is embedded SIMs that can be attached directly to circuit boards.
article_snippet: Plus, in 2014 5.2 billion SIM cards were sold, making it a lucrative business for manufacturers. '
article_snippet: Modern SIMs are tiny, difficult to access, and easy to lose once taken out of the phone. '