![]() Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg told the Wall Street Journal that he didn’t think the iPhone would come to his network until Verizon began to roll out its 4G network (which, we’ll note, The first major rumors of Apple and Verizon striking a deal came in April 2009, more than two years after the iPhone’s unveiling. But you could almost hear its stomach sinking as the iPhone went on to become a cultural phenomenon, Apple racked up millions of sales, and-most important from Verizon’s perspective-AT&T welcomed new subscribers by the bushel, each signing a hefty two-year contract. Verizon, for its part, has tried to remain stoic in the face of thoseĬalling its decision one of the biggest technology gaffes of the past quarter-century. Those turned out to be concessions that Cingular (later swallowed up by AT&T) was only too happy to give up, in exchange for an exclusive lock on the device for an unspecified number of years. Presumably, Verizon balked at such high demands from a first-time handset manufacturer bringing a totally unproven device to market. At the root of the problem were issues of-surprise-money and control.Īpple wanted a cut of monthly subscriber fees and the ability to dictate the terms of sale and maintain a direct relationship with customers. When Steve Jobs was shopping around the original version of the handset, he approached Verizon. Tuesday’s expected announcement won’t be the first time Verizon has crossed paths with the iPhone. ![]() In expectation of Verizon’s announcement on Tuesday, let’s take a look at the road thus far and see what’s around the bend for Apple, Verizon, AT&T, and consumers. (I would tell kids to ask their parents about that one, but that just makes me feel old.) Heck, the two companies have been the subject of more watercooler whispers than any couple since Ross and Rachel. So, should Verizon and Apple’s relationship consummate in an iPhone, what kind of effect can we expect on the mobile phone market? Given how long and strongly a Verizon iPhone has been anticipated, it seems hard to argue that it won’t be a major seismic shift. Live coverage of Tuesday’s Verizon press event beginning at 8 a.m. The Beatles appearing on iTunes were any indication, I expect my blood-pressure to go down accordingly once a Verizon iPhone is announced-at least until people fill the void by demanding to know when Apple is going to make Macs with 3D displays or iPhones with remote Pop-Tart delivery.) ![]() The myth of the Verizon iPhone has a long and tortuous history that dates back to original model of Apple’s device, and in the last several years it’s been one of the most frequently-asked questions I’ve fielded in both my personal and professional capacities.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |