When Google presents its annual developer conference next month, further details regarding Android 13 developer preview will be revealed. There have been a few leaks, one of which claims that the next update would give Android users more control over their phones’ flashlights. A long-press will allow you to drag a notification onto the display in split-screen mode.
Scanning QR codes is how smartphone users switch carriers with an eSIM. The user scans the code that allows their device to be connected to their wireless service provider. Switching carriers simply requires the user to obtain a new QR code from the new carrier. Many smartphone users take SIM cards for granted or don’t know why they are needed. The “Subscriber Identity Module” allows you to link your phone to the telephone operator you use.
According to reports, Android 13 will have an active connection on an eSIM chip
Google is working on a means to let consumers have dual-SIM capabilities on devices running android 13 beta with a single eSIM chip, according to Esper’s Mishaal Rahman (via Android Police). For those unfamiliar with eSIM, or embedded SIM, it is a digital alternative to the traditional SIM card, and the chip is normally located on the phone’s motherboard within the handset.
The fact that only one subscriber line may be active at a time is one of the drawbacks of eSIM. As a result, Google has been working on a technique to use a single eSIM chip to provide the active dual-SIM capability. Multiple enabled profiles (MEP) are a feature introduced by Google that allows one eSIM element to connect to two carriers at the same time. Google was awarded a patent for this technology in 2020, and it is rumoured that it will be included in Android 13 features final version in the third quarter.
Google’s patent may be licenced for usage on iOS, macOS, and Windows
Manufacturers will experience a decrease in the cost of materials needed to create a phone with MEP providing active dual SIM support on a single eSIM element, while also freeing up some internal space that can be utilised to add extra hardware or a larger battery. Using numerous eSIMs consumes some of the available capacity.
eSIM has a limitation
The Android 13 new features operating system isn’t the only one that might support MEP. Google cites iOS, macOS, and Windows in its patent application. According to reports, Google has been testing MEP compatibility on some of its Pixel smartphones, but the company may still decide to licence the intellectual property in order for the technology to work with the aforementioned operating systems.
MEP APIs are included in Android 13 DP2
Currently, finding a phone with several eSIMs, a phone with one eSIM and one physical SIM card, or a phone with numerous physical SIM cards is the only option to gain dual SIM capability. According to Apple’s support website, “You may utilise Dual SIM on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini with either two active eSIMs or a nano-SIM and an eSIM. Dual SIM with a nano-SIM and an eSIM is available on iPhone 12 models, iPhone 11 models, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.”
According to the Android Developers website, there are indications that Google wants to integrate this patent with Android 13. MEP APIs were introduced in Android 13 DP2, and with beta versions of Android 13 being released this month, we should be able to find out whether MEP will be included in the next Android iteration.
If the usage of MEP expands and more carriers begin to embrace eSIM, physical SIM cards and the SIM tray may become obsolete. However, it does not appear to be something we can anticipate in the near future.
To get real-time news alerts join the Technewsrooms Telegram group. You can also follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our Google News feed for updates.
