Verizon iPhone: Cut, Copy, and Paste iPhone 4 for a new carrier.
Posted by melting on Jan 10, 2011
On the eve of what many expect to be the much anticipated announcement of the official iPhone being sold for use on the Verizon network, I had a few thoughts.
First, the timing is not completely a shock. AT&T seemed to announce the timing to the world last summer when they said that anybody whose contract was up in December. This let them get as many current crack iPhone addicts signed up for another years. Sure this didn’t/doesn’t guarantee the timing, they could just open it up completely, but it seemed like a great indicator to me. Another move that happened last summer which seemed to show the next phase of getting people hooked in the data pricing. There was much whining about the unlimited plan going away, but the old customers could keep their plan if they wanted. The pricing change reduction was to get more people hooked up. With the monthly data price at half of what it was, 3GS at $99 bucks, and nice and new iPhone 4 at $200, I think that was just the kick in the pants many people needed.
Am I surprised that Verizon would make the announcement? Not really. While it seems like a big deal to the AT&T haters, and many in America, it is very likely the same iPhone 4 we already know and love. This will mean larger distribution for Apple and more importantly for the bottom line, but they aren’t missing out on announcing a new product. I don’t really know or care if Steve Jobs will be there, but I would certainly not be surprised if there was some sort of Apple representative present.
Timing. I frankly would have be shocked if this announcement came during CES. Just seems like a bigger deal than that and anything that can stand alone should.
Importance. This will certainly be an area for growth for Apple, but is important in a larger scale. If it is it could finally make the market share battle with Android actually be worth talking about. I am skeptical that debate will be worthwhile for several more years, while the growth and profits are so huge. As for importance I would like to wait and see if there is any more exclusivity to be had. Even if it is in the form of getting the new device for 3 or six months.
Final thought. I would wait to see what happens with the iPad. People are talking about the iPad 2 coming out soon, I can imagine that is where the two carriers could differentiate themselves.
