It could be argued that thanks to Apple's exclusivity deal with AT&T, Android handsets became the People's Sour-Grapes iPhone. For individuals already locked into other networks or unwilling to take on a contract with AT&T, Google's open-source mobile OS, when paired with the right hardware makes for an excellent alternative to Cupertino's trendsetting handset. According to some increasingly credible rumors, the American cellular landscape will be undergoing a significant change in the early months of 2011: AT&T will no longer be the only game in town in you want to get your mitts on an iOS powered smartphone, as Apple is purportedly ready to unveil a iteration of the iPhone that will function on Verizon's network in early 2011. Despite the fact that the iPhone's primary competition of late has come from companies selling hardware with running one flavor of Android or another, the Cupertino-based tech company owes a debt of gratitude to Google: Without Android handsets gobbling up data like it was going out of style, Verizon wouldn't have been able to anticipate whether or not their network in its current state could sustain the added user demand that will come with the company's introduction of the iPhone.
Thanks guys!
If you were one of the lucky AT&T customers who were able to get themselves an unlimited data plan for your iPad 1, good news! AT&T has confirmed to Engadget that they will allow said marvellous, near-mythical plans to carry over when you buy that brand-new 3G iPad 2 next week. 
