New iPhone/Verizon Rumors

[chirurgeon]

I am still hoping for this. Sounds like it might happen.

http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/11/12/rumors-a-verizon-iphone-in-2010/


Rumors: A Verizon iPhone in 2010
Posted by Philip Elmer-DeWitt
November 12, 2009 6:04 AM

Two sources say Apple is building a hybrid "worldmode" phone that Verizon could use

Judging from reader comments in this space, there are a lot of cellphone owners in America locked into Verizon (VZ) contracts who would buy an iPhone in a minute if they didn't have to switch carriers to get it.

Verizon has made it pretty clear that it would cut a deal with Apple (AAPL), were it not for a couple of impediments: 1) the contract that makes AT&T (T) the iPhone's exclusive U.S. carrier, and 2) the fact that Verizon's network (based on CDMA2000 technology) is incompatible with Apple's smartphone (which uses W-CDMA (UMTS)).

The first roadblock — AT&T's contract — is set to expire next year, according to an interview chairman Randall Stephenson gave USA Today more than a year ago.

The second barrier could also disappear were Apple to build a new iPhone that is compatible with both AT&T and Verizon's networks.

Last week, AppleInsider reported on rumors that Apple may be doing just that. Its source was a leaked OTR Global report, based on unnamed sources in Apple's Taiwanese supply chain, that said Apple was making a "worldmode" phone using a new hybrid chip from Qualcomm (QCOM).

On Wednesday, a second source for the rumor emerged, this one with a date attached. According to GigaOm's Colin Gibbs, Northeast Securities has issued a research note, based again on supply chain sources, that says Apple will launch a W-CDMA/CDMA2000-enabled iPhone through Verizon by the summer of 2010.

This assumes that Apple and Verizon can cut a mutually satisfactory deal. But judging from the tone of bitter resignation coming from AT&T executives lately, it sounds like Steve Jobs and Randall Stephenson may have finally come to terms.

See also:

Rumor: An iPhone for Verizon in 2009?
Verizon's ad spending: $100 per Droid?
[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]

 

[MenashaCorp]

 

[FireDancer]

It would be trivial for the iPhone to have CDMA added to it so there is no technological reason that the phone wouldn't go. Adding the protocol to the stack would not be difficult for a developer as evidenced by the addition of it to the Android stack. The thing that was keeping it from happening technologically was the lack of room for an additional chip but Qualcomm has released a dual CDMA/GSM (actually EVDO/HSPA) chip so that problem is tackled.

All that remains is the exclusivity contract and all contracts are breakable provided the party that breaks it is willing to pay the penalty for doing so.

It's no guarantee but I know Verizon wants to offer the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry because most in the know annalysts are predicting they will be the 3 big players long term. Symbian, the largest mobile OS by far, has never gained a foothold in the U.S. and their decision to make it open source along with developing their own Linux based mobile OS, Maemo, isn't having the impact they had hoped.

 

[Stinasmom]

This would solve my dilemma!!

I live in a rural area where AT&T 3G is spotty or non-existent, but I REALLY want an iPhone! (long time MAC user)

Our Verizon contract is up in 3 weeks or so and I have been researching and contemplating everyday as to what to do... stay with Verizon and get their new Droid? or take my chances with AT&T and get the iPhone?

Maybe we should stay with Verizon, get cheap or free phones to re-up another 2 year contract, then get iPhones next summer!!????!
That would be perfect!!!

I will stay subscribed to this thread...hopefully, more confirmation will be heard and posted here!

Thanks!!

 

[ragtopday]

I second this!

 

[Matt@WDWR]

iPhone is definitely coming to Verizon at some point. I've been hearing Fall 2010 for about a year from all my Verizon contacts. Summer could be close enough!

 

[gbatch]

I have used Verizon for years with my work but, last year my daughter wanted an IPhone so I swithced her and my wifes account to ATT. Verizon guys I talked to last month thought chances of Apple building something for Verizon is small. Cant see Att allowing Apple to impact their business by allowing Verizon part of their customer base. Verizon service, coverage is so much better then Att's they would be stupid to give up the one thing they got going for them. I also think as phone manufatures develope more Iphone like phones, this issue will become a non-issue. Droid's the first but by this time next year more and more phones will be able to do what Iphone does. Having said all this I think the Iphone is outstanding and will grab one for myself is Verizon is allowed to have them or another Apple product.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd love to see Verizon get the iPhone. It would make AT&T be a bit more competitive with their plans.

 

[kab407]

Right there with you Jason!

 

[DVCJones]

This would solve my dilemma!!

I live in a rural area where AT&T 3G is spotty or non-existent, but I REALLY want an iPhone! (long time MAC user)

Our Verizon contract is up in 3 weeks or so and I have been researching and contemplating everyday as to what to do... stay with Verizon and get their new Droid? or take my chances with AT&T and get the iPhone?

Maybe we should stay with Verizon, get cheap or free phones to re-up another 2 year contract, then get iPhones next summer!!????!
That would be perfect!!!

I will stay subscribed to this thread...hopefully, more confirmation will be heard and posted here!

Thanks!!

Ditto that!!!!
This would make me VERY happy!!!!

 

[Matt@WDWR]

I have used Verizon for years with my work but, last year my daughter wanted an IPhone so I swithced her and my wifes account to ATT. Verizon guys I talked to last month thought chances of Apple building something for Verizon is small. Cant see Att allowing Apple to impact their business by allowing Verizon part of their customer base. Verizon service, coverage is so much better then Att's they would be stupid to give up the one thing they got going for them. I also think as phone manufatures develope more Iphone like phones, this issue will become a non-issue. Droid's the first but by this time next year more and more phones will be able to do what Iphone does. Having said all this I think the Iphone is outstanding and will grab one for myself is Verizon is allowed to have them or another Apple product.

It's coming believe me. Apple wants the additional sales.

 

[sarahsar]

It's coming believe me. Apple wants the additional sales.

Apple rumors are always flying, and the iPhone/Verizon ones are among the most popular. While I'm sure Apple would love to tap into the Verizon customer base and sell more iPhones, market share alone has obviously never been Apple's sole motivation. They currently have a pretty sweet deal with AT&T. Once the iPhone is available for more US carriers, they are not going to be able to command the same subsidies from the carriers.

That said, Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's CEO, has himself implied that the iPhone won't always be exclusive with AT&T. I am sure it won't. But there are a few big stumbling blocks that still have to be overcome to get Apple and Verizon to play nicely together.

This rumor states that they aren't exactly close to churning out CDMA iPhones:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/12/rumor-hypothetical-hybrid-gsm-cdma-iphone-for-verizon-nowhere-n/

I think more telling, though, is the series of ads Verizon has put out lately attacking the iPhone.
"There's a map for that" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCbYTrYD5y8) and "Misfit Toys" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JgrBtn8XdU) go after AT&T more than the iPhone itself, but the "iDon't/Droid Does" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e52TSXwj774) commercial goes directly after the iPhone, which can't be making Apple happy.

This post points out that the new Droid ads running in Sports Illustrated go after Apple policies, and maybe even Steve Jobs himself:
http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/11/15/verizon-iphone-attack-ads-target-steve-jobs/

I posted these because the ads themselves are entertaining, but it seems like a strange way for Verizon to woo Apple. I wouldn't hold my breath for a Verizon iPhone by summer, although to be fair, with Apple, you never know.

 

[dpuck1998]

I'd have an iPhone the day Verizon signs on. Until the AT&T keeps me from buying one.

 

[DVCJones]

I'd have an iPhone the day Verizon signs on. Until the AT&T keeps me from buying one.

Same here!
AT&T is the only thing standing between me and an iPhone.

 

[kaligal]

I second that.

I love, love, love my iphone. Love everything I can do with it that isn't phone-related. But the phone part sucks. Always dropping calls. Always doing that, "Can you hear me?" thing.

Whatever else a phone can or can't do, it should ALWAYS allow you to communicate with someone else.

I'm dropping my service when the contract is up and going back to Verizon. I hope Verizon gets iphones, but if they don't, I'm still switching back.

 

[kafitty]

i'm hoping too! next fall would be perfect - i just switched to Verizon so i'd have 1 year down, and maybe could swindle an iPhone as a Christmas present.

i sure do wish i had waited until Droid had come out, though i like my Rogue just fine, i guess....i'm just a tech junkie.

 

[airman]

For all you Blackberry users their is an App for you, WDW Maps from upinpoint.com. It doesn't give wait times, but it has maps of the 4 parks and DTD. It uses the gps in the phone to show your location on the map. The app is only $3.99, can't wait to try it on our next trip.

 

[wdwfreeksince88]

For all you Blackberry users their is an App for you, WDW Maps from upinpoint.com. It doesn't give wait times, but it has maps of the 4 parks and DTD. It uses the gps in the phone to show your location on the map. The app is only $3.99, can't wait to try it on our next trip.

I have that app and while it isn't bad, a Disney Veteran won't get much use. It is pretty basic. But it does help out when you forget what something is or what a restaurant serves once in a while.