Apple iPhone to Partner with Verizon Q1 2009

[Wynnefield]

Following additional research with industry professionals, I agree with earlier posts: Apple initially approached Verizon regarding negotiations with first iPhone agreements. However, Apple would not relinquish complete ownership of hardware components and software applications for the iPhone units.

With the number of proprietary software applications traditionally installed on their mobile units, Verizon would not agree to a complete Apple hardware and software device, which has been why Apple has been so successful in the past with their other technology platforms: Macs, Macbook (Pros), iPods and iPod Touch.

An Apple iPhone configured with Verizon proprietary software may lose the advantages of iTunes synchronization, or lose the compatibility with the iPod Touch OS.

My wife, two children and I all have Verizon cell phones, so we talk for free as long as we keep mobile-to-mobile. I wanted an iPhone to synch with my Macbook and create a MobileMe account; however, I opted for a BB Storm and with PocketMac have been happy with it so far. It took about two weeks to get used to the touchpad, and afterwards the interface has been rather smooth (even with my clunky fingers).

I think I can wait another 16-18 months if the rumors are true (which I seriously doubt). I had an iPod Touch my son is now happy with in addition to an old flip phone for audio and text.

 

[Turk182]

met guy who's brother works for Apple and he claims, right now, they are in San Diego doing testing with the phone & verizon right this very moment. guy seemed credible to me.

 

[osxx]

I will believe it when I see it.

 

[SammySlim]

I live in San Diego and I haven't seen it ... lol. We will see!

 

[Staszek]

met guy who's brother works for Apple and he claims, right now, they are in San Diego doing testing with the phone & verizon right this very moment. guy seemed credible to me.

I think he is info wrong. They are testing in CA for the next generation iphone, the signals have been picked up as Wifi and AT&T not Verizon.

"- 1st spotting of the "iPhone 2,1" device occured in early October 2008
- Usage picked up in mid-December 2008
- A few dozen distinct "iPhone 2,1" devices have been detected
- Almost exclusively located in south San Francisco Bay Area
- Both AT&T and Wi-Fi connections

PinchMedia provides iPhone developers with ad serving and analytic tracking software to embed within iPhone applications. This is how the the iPhone 2,1 devices have been detected. The iPhone 2,1 model is also found in the firmware of the iPhone 2.x firmware releases as we reported yesterday. "

 

[jayrodathome]

RIM would be a very unhappy Verizon partner. By 2012 the iPhone may overcome all of it's issues. For now it's an iPod Touch and Storm for me....

 

[NumberSix]

RIM would be a very unhappy Verizon partner. By 2012 the iPhone may overcome all of it's issues. For now it's an iPod Touch and Storm for me....

RIM is partners with everyone, not just Verizon.

And they should take lessons from Apple, not be unhappy about the iPhone.

The Storm is such a clunky device, I'm amazed it got released in this state.

 

[Garrett-]

I loathe Verizon. I hope it sticks with ATT.

 

[jffhrdy42]

i want the iphone i got the ipod touch and love that ithas everything but the phone in it....
my only concern is that i heard att has crappy service true?

 

[vashpr]

my only concern is that i heard att has crappy service true?

I got ATT with my iphone and the signal where i live (NJ) is way better than t-mobile and sprint, i havent try verizon yet. So far im happy with the iphone so it makes me happy to stay as a AT&T customer. Now the customer service sometimes knows less than you so be ready to have good laughs.

 

[osxx]

i want the iphone i got the ipod touch and love that ithas everything but the phone in it....
my only concern is that i heard att has crappy service true?

Depends where you live check to see if you are covered they all and if you
travel a lot I mean all have areas of weak or no coverage there is no perfect
solution so get the provider that works best for your area or sign with AT&T
if you get an I-Phone.

 

[jffhrdy42]

i live in indianapolis anyone else from here got a take

 

[Turk182]

I think he is info wrong. They are testing in CA for the next generation iphone, the signals have been picked up as Wifi and AT&T not Verizon.

I don't know what to tell ya, other than that he was very clear testing is in SD - why is brother is in town - very clear it is verizon - very clear it was an iphone.... so we will see

 

[Staszek]

I don't know what to tell ya, other than that he was very clear testing is in SD - why is brother is in town - very clear it is verizon - very clear it was an iphone.... so we will see

We yes they are definitely testing the new phone that what I posted as well. Its just they have yet to pick up anything other then GSM and WiFi signals. Since they are able to pick these up I am pretty sure that all the websites like this one would be jumping all over it if they were picking up CDMA signals as well.

I mean I could be wrong but I am pretty sure there will be no CDMA version this time around unless Apple decides to make a dual network phone, which would make it larger then the old one which is no their style.

Secondly unless they have reworked the exclusivity contract the original one was for 5 years which wouldnt be done till June 2012 (maybe slightly earlier on 2012 depending on when they signed it)

"AT&T has exclusive U.S. distribution rights for five years ...... And Apple is barred for that time from developing a version of the iPhone for CDMA wireless networks." USA Today

"There are carrier exclusivity agreements, and there are carrier exclusivity agreements -- and Apple's iPhone deal must have been pretty sweet for Cupertino to guarantee their new hotness to AT&T and AT&T alone for five friggin years. USA Today reports the supposed half-decade deal precludes Apple from developing a CDMA handset in that time (duh), meaning that if you live in the US and don't want to move to AT&T, it's going to be 2012 before you even have a chance at an iPhone. ..." Engadget


Now there were a few articles saying that when the 3g was created the exclusivity was only till 2010 which still means it will not be this year. I have a feeling once Verizon and AT&T both move forward with a 4G network we will see a Verizon version.

I would like to see a Verizon version because it would give some price competition in plans to AT&T.

 

[osxx]

We yes they are definitely testing the new phone that what I posted as well. Its just they have yet to pick up anything other then GSM and WiFi signals. Since they are able to pick these up I am pretty sure that all the websites like this one would be jumping all over it if they were picking up CDMA signals as well.

I mean I could be wrong but I am pretty sure there will be no CDMA version this time around unless Apple decides to make a dual network phone, which would make it larger then the old one which is no their style.

Secondly unless they have reworked the exclusivity contract the original one was for 5 years which wouldnt be done till June 2012 (maybe slightly earlier on 2012 depending on when they signed it)

"AT&T has exclusive U.S. distribution rights for five years ...... And Apple is barred for that time from developing a version of the iPhone for CDMA wireless networks." USA Today

"There are carrier exclusivity agreements, and there are carrier exclusivity agreements -- and Apple's iPhone deal must have been pretty sweet for Cupertino to guarantee their new hotness to AT&T and AT&T alone for five friggin years. USA Today reports the supposed half-decade deal precludes Apple from developing a CDMA handset in that time (duh), meaning that if you live in the US and don't want to move to AT&T, it's going to be 2012 before you even have a chance at an iPhone. ..." Engadget


Now there were a few articles saying that when the 3g was created the exclusivity was only till 2010 which still means it will not be this year. I have a feeling once Verizon and AT&T both move forward with a 4G network we will see a Verizon version.

I would like to see a Verizon version because it would give some price competition in plans to AT&T.

It could make AT&T's price look good after all. but this is all speculation or
wishful thinking for people with other providers.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Secondly unless they have reworked the exclusivity contract the original one was for 5 years which wouldnt be done till June 2012 (maybe slightly earlier on 2012 depending on when they signed it)

"AT&T has exclusive U.S. distribution rights for five years ...... And Apple is barred for that time from developing a version of the iPhone for CDMA wireless networks." USA Today

I really wish people would stop claiming Apple definitely has a 5-year exclusivity agreement with ATT. This is a RUMOR that has NEVER been officially substantiated, and in fact has been contradicted at times.
When is a five-year deal not a five-year deal? | iPhone Central | Macworld

 

[Staszek]

I really wish people would stop claiming Apple definitely has a 5-year exclusivity agreement with ATT. This is a RUMOR that has NEVER been officially substantiated, and in fact has been contradicted at times.
When is a five-year deal not a five-year deal? | iPhone Central | Macworld

I really wish you would read my entire thread where I also stated that others have said it would end in 2010.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I really wish you would read my entire thread where I also stated that others have said it would end in 2010.

Actually you said:

Secondly unless they have reworked the exclusivity contract the original one was for 5 years which wouldnt be done till June 2012 (maybe slightly earlier on 2012 depending on when they signed it)

You presented that 5-year term as a factual term of the contract, not one that was speculated on. The statement you seem to be referring to:

Now there were a few articles saying that when the 3g was created the exclusivity was only till 2010 which still means it will not be this year. I have a feeling once Verizon and AT&T both move forward with a 4G network we will see a Verizon version.

... that neither contradicts your prior statement nor infers that the whole 5-year thing was speculation to begin with. It seems to imply that just the 3G iPhone has a 2-year contract. Perhaps I misinterpreted your statement or perhaps you wrote it out poorly. *shrug* I know I've been guilty of both.

 

[Staszek]

... that neither contradicts your prior statement nor infers that the whole 5-year thing was speculation to begin with. It seems to imply that just the 3G iPhone has a 2-year contract. Perhaps I misinterpreted your statement or perhaps you wrote it out poorly. *shrug* I know I've been guilty of both.

Probably a little of both since I wrote part of it from the iphone then I added to it from my computer.

What I was trying to get to is there is an exclusivity agreement till at least 2010, which means that there will be no GSM iphone in 2009.

I am still not sure it makes sense for there ever to be one since the world market for CDMA is so much smaller then GSM. Also CDMA seems to be a dying technology anyway in the next iterations verizon has talked about switching over to GSM. One last issue is battery life, CDMA tends to be a power hungry network, if you compare most GSM phones with CDMA phones (equal phones) the battery life is always better on the GSM version.

Anyway I would like a Verizon version, I am not switching networks because I am one of the people who actually likes AT&T, especially when I travel.

I just think the competition is good.

 

[osxx]

On a side note Verizon will start testing LTE this year.
As for the agreement I thought it was stated on a Keynote presentation before he welcomed the ceo of AT&T to the stage.