Travel Technology - Will the iPhone ever make it to Verizon?

I was looking at the commercial from www.droiddoes.com during football yesterday, and it emphasized how much it can do against the iPhone, I went to the website, and sure enough, the android is coming to Verizon. Along with the commercials that show the 3G coverage of AT&T vs Verizon, mocking the "there is an app for that" with "there is a map for that", does that put the last nail in the coffin for the rumors of the iPhone and Verizon getting together?

I am with Verizon, and the coverage is the best I've had, there is even service by my house :D

But I do like the iPhone, and my contract ends in February, and been contemplating the possibility of switching, but was hoping that the iPhone would make it to Verizon instead.

I think Verizon gave up hope of ever getting the iPhone, so they went their own direction.

I saw the Motorola Droid this morning, and it sure does look impressive...

the iphone is overhyped it isn't all that :)

There are several better devices today, and will be more coming.

the 'droid' in 'droid does' it not talking about 'android' as much as about the moto 'droid' which yes runs android, however moto FINALLY has a product development team again, with several android phones in the pipeline.

I saw some early development versions of some moto phones that were never released that would have gone a long way to fill their gaps between the hit 'razr' and now. Interestingly a couple of them had high speed net sharing built in, which I saw on engadget today MAY be a 'droid' feature as well.

it's not likely to happen until 4g lte is deployed (and it will be a while until coverage is usable), but if you believe rumors, it's being tested now. there's little reason to make a cdma iphone right now.

http://fonefrenzy.com/2009/10/18/bigger-news-for-verizon-than-motorolas-droid/

My sources have confirmed that Apple and Verizon have been testing a CDMA iPhone on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Yes, you read that correctly, Verizon and Apple have been testing the first 4G phone on Verizon’s 4G network. The tests have been taking place for the last couple of months but with no confirmation on the release date.

The new Verizon iDon't ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPYM-XTqcec&feature=player_embedded#) makes it even likelier that they won't be getting the iPhone anytime soon. Their recent strategic partnership with Google (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groundbreaking-agreement-between-verizon-wireless-and-google-to-leverage-high-speed-network-and-open-android-platform-for-wireless-innovation-63587582.html) was, in my opinion, another slap at Apple.

If the Droid turns out to be everything I'm hoping, I'll be dumping my Blackberry Storm.

The new Verizon iDon't ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPYM-XTqcec&feature=player_embedded#) makes it even likelier that they won't be getting the iPhone anytime soon. Their recent strategic partnership with Google (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groundbreaking-agreement-between-verizon-wireless-and-google-to-leverage-high-speed-network-and-open-android-platform-for-wireless-innovation-63587582.html) was, in my opinion, another slap at Apple.


It's so ironic that the most 'closed' network is now finally realizing their business model (i.e. trying to la carte you to death) doesn't work and is now teaming up with the most 'open' software available :D

The ad is a slap at the iPhone but Verizon, IMHO, has a long way to go. Those who read for instance the howardchui forums know how ticked off customers are treated by Verizon, and why they always coming in third for the newest hardware!

It's so ironic that the most 'closed' network is now finally realizing their business model (i.e. trying to la carte you to death) doesn't work and is now teaming up with the most 'open' software available :D

The ad is a slap at the iPhone but Verizon, IMHO, has a long way to go. Those who read for instance the howardchui forums know how ticked off customers are treated by Verizon, and why they always coming in third for the newest hardware!

That is good to hear that VZW is starting to 'open' their devices a little more... left me with a sour taste last time I had one (switched to AT&T with the bold back in April)...

I don't like negative ads. I don't believe they work at winning over a lot of customers. They point out that the competitor is worthy enough for you to be concerned about, usually look pathetic and reek of desperation.

If they're mocking apple ads, I don't think any of them have black text on white as the only visual element. The shadow especially looks a bit off. The weird matrix like sequence looks apocalyptic.

It might appeal to techy nerdy geeks, but how big is that market really? I really doubt the momentum of the iPhone will be effected much by this one and it's just another also ran.

I don't like negative ads. I don't believe they work at winning over a lot of customers. They point out that the competitor is worthy enough for you to be concerned about, usually look pathetic and reek of desperation.

Hasn't Apple been doing this with their "I'm a Mac" ad's for years now?

I have a buddy who works at Verizon and he claims the following:
There is no definition of "G" so Verizon can up its "G" status over anyone else at any time. That being said, an apple product on the Verizon network is not in the forseeable future. Verizon is going with Motorola running the Google OS as well as other phones running Windows mobile.
We have our great network and we are finally getting phones with a little bit of cool as well as solid reliability (network wise,,how you abuse your phone is up to you...) :p

I don't like negative ads. I don't believe they work at winning over a lot of customers. They point out that the competitor is worthy enough for you to be concerned about, usually look pathetic and reek of desperation.

If they're mocking apple ads, I don't think any of them have black text on white as the only visual element. The shadow especially looks a bit off. The weird matrix like sequence looks apocalyptic.

It might appeal to techy nerdy geeks, but how big is that market really? I really doubt the momentum of the iPhone will be effected much by this one and it's just another also ran.

You're forgetting that the iPhone is only available from a single carrier (in the US anyway) with an underpowered network infrastructure that is already showing significant signs of stress, and Android-based devices are (or will be shortly) available from multiple carriers on multiple manufacturer's phones in the very near future.

Don't underestimate the power of The Google. The iPhone will likely be just another player within a year or two, unless Apple radically changes its strategy. It took the same path in the PC market 25 years ago, and they're only a fraction of that market . . . 8% as of January 2009. People like to have choices.

The stories I've seen have been all saying they don't think there will be an iPhone for Verizon till they roll out their new LTE network in a couple of years. The Droid move seems to confirm this, they would not want to offer the iphone to a bunch of people they just committed to two years with something else, that won't work at all.

I actually like the ads, and believe Verizon will become much stronger with the negative ads. They need to win back some of the people who left them for the iPhone and AT&T, and the only way they can do that without actually having an iPhone is somehow try to convince everybody they offer way better coverage and something iPhone like.

I don't think the current ads though are meant to steal iPhone users back, I think they are for the holiday market of people looking to upgrade phones who are thinking do I want this or that? I don't really see how the droid phones will compete with the Pre they will be offering in the spring, that's gonna make for some interesting marketing.

The stories I've seen have been all saying they don't think there will be an iPhone for Verizon till they roll out their new LTE network in a couple of years. The Droid move seems to confirm this, they would not want to offer the iphone to a bunch of people they just committed to two years with something else, that won't work at all.

FYI, Verizon claims that LTE will be deployed in 30 markets next year, and will 100% overlay the current CDMA infrastructure by the end of 2013.

FYI, Verizon claims that LTE will be deployed in 30 markets next year, and will 100% overlay the current CDMA infrastructure by the end of 2013.

By the end of 2013 I'll have bought two more iPhones.

You're forgetting that the iPhone is only available from a single carrier (in the US anyway) with an underpowered network infrastructure that is already showing significant signs of stress.

I wasn't try to bash Vz earlier. My first mobile phone & carrier was Verizon, it worked great and in the states, there is no one with better coverage (although as far as CS is concerned, it's probably one of the worst :D). I switched to Omnipoint after 'borrowing' a gsm Motorola worldphone from my mother and have been with TMO ever since....mainly because I travel overseas extensively and Vz back in those days didn't have any international plans or access.

iPhones are available on multiple carriers here - for every ATT customer that I know, there is another with an unlocked iPhone on TMO (including myself and my wife!). I do agree ATT's 3G is underpowered and their users are getting screwed....that's the primary reason we've stuck with the 1st gen iPhone.



Don't underestimate the power of The Google.

I've tried both the TMO android phone (magic) and the new hero and both are coooool....now if they can just catch up asap!


The iPhone will likely be just another player within a year or two, unless Apple radically changes its strategy. It took the same path in the PC market 25 years ago, and they're only a fraction of that market . . . 8% as of January 2009. People like to have choices.


LOL, people have made their 'choice'....you obviously missed Apple's earnings report of last night. http://www.macrumors.com/2009/10/19/apple-reports-1-67-billion-profit-for-q4-2009-most-profitable-quarter-ever/. As a shareholder with a few shares only, I'm extremely happy with them! And wait until 10/30, when they launch in China...

And as I wrote earlier, it was Vz that finally 'radically changed its strategy'....

POV ;)

I think the new Droid ads mean, it will never come to Verizon. apple is probably fine not having to create a CDMA version of the device.

The new Verizon iDon't ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPYM-XTqcec&feature=player_embedded#) makes it even likelier that they won't be getting the iPhone anytime soon. Their recent strategic partnership with Google (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groundbreaking-agreement-between-verizon-wireless-and-google-to-leverage-high-speed-network-and-open-android-platform-for-wireless-innovation-63587582.html) was, in my opinion, another slap at Apple.

If the Droid turns out to be everything I'm hoping, I'll be dumping my Blackberry Storm.


I wouldn't view the ads necessarily as a "slap" at Apple, but rather addressing the criticisms and weaknesses of the iPhone. Those kinds of things are done all the time (even by Apple), but some are more subtle than others.

I'm a current BlackBerry Storm victim, er, I mean user. I've been looking forward to the Storm 2 coming out (supposedly this week), but I'm going to take a hard look at the Droid.

I think I can get over the fact The Droid is absolutely ugly (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/handsets/motorola-droid/). But from what I see so far with regards to the specs (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/19/motorola-droid-hands-on/), it looks rather impressive.

This has got to be a World Phone (CDMA in NA, GSM elsewhere). Otherwise, I'll probably pass.

BGR also says they will have another review soon (hoping today).

I've just about one year into my two-year deal with VZW. Hoping there will be some leniency in dumping the Storm 1.

The droid is a little bit on the ugly side, but then again that could be a photo from a pre-production model.

I wonder how much the plan is going to be to get one of those.

If the phone is cool enough, I will go ahead and get it. The AT&T service by my house is crappy, so I am hesitant to get the iPhone.

By the end of 2013 I'll have bought two more iPhones.

I have already bought six this year.

I have already bought six this year.
Damn, 6? what for??


As much as I hate Apple, the iPhone / iPod Touch are amazing devices...

I have already bought six this year.
They can't be that good, since you had to replace it five times already ;)

I think Verizon gave up hope of ever getting the iPhone, so they went their own direction.

I saw the Motorola Droid this morning, and it sure does look impressive...

even if the at&t exclusivity deal is voided, apple does not have to go out of their way to make a CDMA version of the iphone. in fact, apple can say: "we make all iphones GSM/HSDPA and unlocked to use on any carrier who supports these standards, the rest is on the carrier to provide a compatible network".

the fact that verizon insists on using CDMA EVDO is not apple's problem, it's verizon's.

They can't be that good, since you had to replace it five times already ;)

They just keep disappearing..... :D

even if the at&t exclusivity deal is voided, apple does not have to go out of their way to make a CDMA version of the iphone. in fact, apple can say: "we make all iphones GSM/HSDPA and unlocked to use on any carrier who supports these standards, the rest is on the carrier to provide a compatible network".

the fact that verizon insists on using CDMA EVDO is not apple's problem, it's verizon's.

It's Apple's problem if it wants customers loyal to the single most pervasive network in the US. No combination of GSM carriers can cough up anywhere near as many customers, nor support the bandwidth needed to provide a decent iPhone experience. AT&T is struggling now in that area, and customers are complaining.

The top 3 cellular providers in market share in the US are Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, comprising nearly 80% of the market. Both Verizon and Sprint are CDMA, meaning that the remaining 20% of carriers (which are not exclusively GSM) really don't offer Apple as remotely attractive a number of customers.

It's Apple's problem if it wants customers loyal to the single most pervasive network in the US.
The top 3 cellular providers in market share in the US are Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, comprising nearly 80% of the market. Both Verizon and Sprint are CDMA, meaning that the remaining 20% of carriers (which are not exclusively GSM) really don't offer Apple as remotely attractive a number of customers.

You're so ethnocentric :)

iPhone customers are loyal to Apple and not AT&T - key words: unlocked iPhones. I in fact just upgraded from 2.2.1 to 3.1.2 last night....

Apple sells worldwide, when the iPhone came out in the states, it was estimated that 25% of sales 'leaked' overseas. The only large markets that aren't entirely on gsm are US, Japan and Korea (and china).

The 'problem' is not with apple, it's with AT&T.

You're so ethnocentric :)

I see the smiley and realize you're kidding, but I should point out that if I were truly ethnocentric, I wouldn't have included all of the "in the US" qualifiers :)

iPhone customers are loyal to Apple and not AT&T - key words: unlocked iPhones. I in fact just upgraded from 2.2.1 to 3.1.2 last night....

In the US, currently, the distinction is meaningless.

Apple sells worldwide, when the iPhone came out in the states, it was estimated that 25% of sales 'leaked' overseas. The only large markets that aren't entirely on gsm are US, Japan and Korea (and china).

The 'problem' is not with apple, it's with AT&T.

How much of the "worldwide" smartphone market does Apple actually have today? In May 2009, it had just over 10% . . . so it's got a long way to go and too much serious competition to dominate at this point. IMHO, of course :D

I see the smiley and realize you're kidding


My post was meant to be in good fun, glad you took it the same :p

Seriously speaking though, and back to the OP's orginal topic: it's a shame Vz users will never get to experience the iPhone on their great network!

Seriously speaking though, and back to the OP's orginal topic: it's a shame Vz users will never get to experience the iPhone on their great network!

It is

But they have been hyping up the droid

It could fall flat on it's face, everybody is talking about what it does that the iPhone doesn't, but I've yet to see a single spec sheet. I don't even know how much storage it has

If everything looks OK with the phone by 2/10, when my contract expires, I will probably get it. I am really stuck with Verizon, it works like great by my house, there is no reception by any other carrier, and I don't pay for roaming in the office in Juarez.

Oh well, I will have to go through life without ever owning an iPhone :p

I am really stuck with Verizon, it works like great by my house, there is no reception by any other carrier,

TMO's hotspot@home with UMA phones (including multiple BB models) would solve your reception problem at home. Doesn't come out of your bucket of minutes, excellent reception on WiFi....

It is

But they have been hyping up the droid

It could fall flat on it's face, everybody is talking about what it does that the iPhone doesn't, but I've yet to see a single spec sheet. I don't even know how much storage it has

If everything looks OK with the phone by 2/10, when my contract expires, I will probably get it. I am really stuck with Verizon, it works like great by my house, there is no reception by any other carrier, and I don't pay for roaming in the office in Juarez.

Oh well, I will have to go through life without ever owning an iPhone :p

I had pinned my hopes on the Droid to replace my entirely unsatisfying Storm. The specs inadvertently leaked on Motorola's website yesterday have pretty much dashed them . . . while it's a great phone, it's not a world phone (CDMA/1XEV only). And although Motorola has, at least temporarily, removed access to those pages, BoyGeniusReport grabbed some screen shots while they were up (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/22/motorola-droid-makes-appearance-on-motorolas-site/).

I just got the Motorola CLIQ, their first ever Android phone. And if the CLIQ shows how the DROID will be, I'm not impressed.

Lots of little (and big) bugs, and small design flaws.

Not impressed. HTC has at least two years of experience with Android phones, which puts them miles ahead of Motorola.

Another opinion re the original question:
http://business.theatlantic.com/2009/10/what_do_verizons_new_anti-iphone_ads_mean_for_att.php

And from the Chairman himself: http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/10/verizon_still_w.html?campaign_id=rss_tech

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/06/apple-to-manufacture-verizon-compatible-iphone-in-q3-2010/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/06/report_apple_to_launch_verizon_iphone_in_q3_2010.h tml

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/06/apple-to-manufacture-verizon-compatible-iphone-in-q3-2010/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/06/report_apple_to_launch_verizon_iphone_in_q3_2010.h tml

Well, that would figure. Apple designs a phone for CDMA that's practically obsolete as soon as it hits the stores. Verizon should have LTE rolled out in most of the major markets by the end of Q3, and this phone doesn't appear to do LTE. :rolleyes:

Won't Verizon have CDMA for a few years, even if they put up an LTE network across the country?

For one thing, 80 million customers aren't going to get LTE phones over night.

Won't Verizon have CDMA for a few years, even if they put up an LTE network across the country?

For one thing, 80 million customers aren't going to get LTE phones over night.

Of course they're not. But why introduce a data-intensive phone like the iPhone without LTE support when Verizon will also be marketing the hell out of its 4G network at the same time?

CDMA will still be used for voice communications for quite some time. LTE in the near term addresses data only . . . but data is the reason you buy a smartphone.

There is talk of an iPhone world phone that supports both CDMA and GSM.

There is talk of an iPhone world phone that supports both CDMA and GSM.

Yes, in the 4 posts preceding yours.