According to The Wall Street Journal there is speculation that two new iPhones will hit the market this year from Apple.
Why two you wonder? Well one would be based on GSM/UMTS standard that powers ATT’s network, while another would be compatible with CDMA, the standard used by Verizon. I have to say this makes me ecstatic as I left Verizon after being a long time customer in order to get on the ATT network to accommodate the iPhone. To be able to go back to Verizon would be ideal for me, and I am sure many others. Although, looks like there won’t be an announcement from Apple until late June or July. So the No Service saga continues…
The last three versions of the iPhone have been developed by Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., so they will take the lead on the GSM model. Pegatron Technology Corp. (a subsidiary of ASUSTeK) will build the CDMA version slated to start in September.
Although there is no definite truth the to report we all figured at one point ATT’s exclusivity deal with Apple would come to an end at some point. But don’t freak out yet ATT as long as Apple doesn’t build a CDMA version of the iPhone, you don’t have to worry about Verizon becoming a carrier of the wildly popular Smartphone. A CDMA-version of the iPhone simply means that Verizon would add Apple’s phone to its collection.
Separately, Apple plans to release a new version of its current iPhone this summer, continuing its practice of annual upgrades at about the same time of year. Thinner and faster seem to be the trend with this evolving device and this new version will be no different. Soon enough will our iPhones be as thin as business cards? Credit cards? Imagine the possibility!
Hopefully the long circulating rumors about 4G Verizon iPhones will halt soon and someone will shed some light on what really is going down. Why all the mystery on smart phones? Why is Apple so afraid to cheat on ATT with Verizon? I say kick her to the curb.
For AT&T, the Apple relationship has been crucial, helping to make the carrier the U.S. leader in lucrative smart-phone market share. For several quarters, ATT’s growth has come almost single-handedly from the iPhone. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the carrier said it activated 3.1 million new iPhones. How does Apple not see that ATT is so opening using him.
Hopefully twenty ten will bring good news for Smartphone users and most definitely, two is always better than one.
About Brandon Leibowitz
