The possibility that Apple might at
long last break its exclusivity with AT&T has been a dream ever
since the iPhone launched. The carrier has developed its own particular
brand of fail with service limitations (MMS, tethering), app
heavy-handedness (reputedly being behind Google Voice getting yanked)
and dropped call records broken daily.
Yet publicly both Apple
and AT&T have denied any rumors of a split and Cupertino even gave
the carrier a one year extension. Rumors continued to proliferate that
Apple was ready to jump ship for Verizon or at least to open up the
handset to other carriers. If new leaks are to be believed, there might
be some truth in this.
According to AppleInsider, a
report given to them by OTR Global suggests that the development
Qualcomm's new hybrid chip has spurred Apple to production of a
universal model iPhone. Think of this as similar to the Intel chip
allowing Windows to run on the newest Macs. The new chip will allow the
handset to operate on Verizon's CDMA2000 networks as well as AT&T's
UMTS 3G. This would also allow the iPhone to operate on virtually every
cell network worldwide, spurring growth in additional sales.
The
rumor's silver lining isn't without a black cloud as the new phones
reputedly cramp screen real estate down from 3.5" to 2.8". Whether this
is a result of potentially lower Verizon subsidies or just a Nano
iteration of the iPhone isn't clear.
While Verizon's recent
attacks on Apple with Droid ads seem to put the kibosh on any
agreement, all's fair in business. In a recent call with investors,
Verizon's CEO and chair, Ivan G. Seidenberg told listeners "We
obviously would be interested...for them to have us as a
partner...hopefully...Apple...will decide to jump on the bandwagon."
Rumors
peg the worldwide model of the iPhone as hitting market sometime near
the end of 2010, suspiciously around the time the AT&T extension
lapses. All we can say to Verizon customers long plagued by iPhone lust,
is stay tuned.
Sigil
November 18, 2009 at 6:46pm
The Droid commercials can "bash" the iPhone all they want, but in the end it's about sales and market brand...nuff said....
Also, the Droid and all these "iPhone killers" are just a response to the iPhone. The IPhone revolutionized the cell phone and mobile life. The Droid is a nice phone, but in the end Apple is the newcomer and yet the other are playing catch up. Additionally, apple is forcing all companies to create better phones....Soon these phones will force cell companies to give us better service.
How many iPhone killers are there now?
benet
November 10, 2009 at 7:54pm
Every little chat Salon 1000 ah!replica watchYou are my best's buddy
1sd
SpaceTrucker
November 10, 2009 at 10:38am
Just because it has CDMA 2000 compatibility doesn't mean it's destined to go to Verizon, Sprint is more dominant on the west coast, also just by giving it CDMA compatibility only means that the phone will also work on that network, thus giving it more of a "Universal Phone" compatibility. There are many phones that all service providers have that have the opposing providers capabilities on them, Apple's iPhone would just be another. It's also opening itself up to more of the America's by doing this, such as in Venezula where the CDMA network is more predominant than the better GSM networks which is more wide spread in Europe. Until US service providers catch up to other markets in their services, none of them are really worth having these days, especially Verizon or Sprint!!!
broadwaybobby
November 10, 2009 at 8:21am
Need I say that the droid commercials are just bashing iphones
charliemilton66
November 10, 2009 at 7:56am
Yeah the Misfits actually in a way praises the iPhone until it shows it AT&T map ...."Hey you can download apps and browse the web people will love you..." AT&T map pops up...."Ohhhhhhhhh"
quikrick11
November 10, 2009 at 7:25am
Verizon is slamming AT&T in the commercials. "There's a map for that." That is an obvious knock at AT&T's shotty service. I haven't seen one Verizon commercial questioning the iPhone's hardware.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Stbarber85
November 10, 2009 at 7:02am
Why not just have (legal) T-Mobile iPhones in USA. Makes sense right??? Verizon...... ha. Never!
charliemilton66
November 10, 2009 at 7:57am
you mean is stead of having just spotty coverage... having whole days of down time... i hope not
Rohardi
November 10, 2009 at 6:48am
OK, Tell me how Verizon is going to from having the iPhone on the "island of misfit toys" to selling the device??? EVERY ONE of Verizon's holiday commercials slams the iphone I'm going to say that Steve Jobs will not like this... DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR A VERIZON IPHONE
Numbuh One
November 10, 2009 at 11:39am
in the commercial, the Misfit Toys compliment the iPhone and do not underdstand why it would be considered a misfit until the iPhone displays the AT&T 3G network map. Verizon is slamming AT&T's network, not the iPhone.
