Gemalto has released the first SIM card with built-in Facebook functionality – meaning pretty soon, every GSM handset, regardless of its base functionality, will have the ability to connect one to Facebook.
Said a spokesperson for the social network:
We worked closely with Gemalto on their Facebook for SIM product and believe it will be another easy and affordable way for people to stay connected through Facebook on the mobile phone of their choice. Facebook for SIM creatively combines technologies from some of our existing mobile solutions that especially are attractive for people with feature phones and have limited or no data plans with a mobile operator. Through the Facebook application on the SIM card people can: Update their status and view comments on it; write on their friends wall; receive notifications; find friends on their SIM phonebook.
If Facebook wasn’t already pervasive enough, this pretty much seals the deal. Imagine, even the most ancient phones being able to access Facebook (albeit via a text-based interface). I dunno if that’s a good thing, but it’s great for Facebook, who can now invade ven the remotest corners of the globe, where smartphone use is still in its infancy.
Pretty impressive, I wonder how quickly it would catch on.