Verizon CEO Plays Down Expectations for Imminent iPhone Launch

[markgo2k]

/rant=ON

Is it possible any more to have any article on MacRumors that mentions either the iPhone or Android without the comments thread degenerating into:

Another reason why iPhones suck and Android rocks!

Another reason why iPhones suck and Android rocks!

Sez you! iPhones rock and Android sucks because of MacGuffin. And Android apps are virus-laden, porn-ridden junk!

Sez you! iPhones rock and Android sucks because of MacGuffin. And Android apps are virus-laden, porn-ridden junk!

McGuffin doesn't matter. Flash does. So does true multitasking. And your calls drop every 5 seconds! And you think that Steve Jobs is god!

Enough already. How about reserving these comments for a story or thread that is actually ABOUT iPhone vs. Android. I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of the people who read comments have heard the following arguments before:

1a) iPhone 4 design is flawed due to deathgrip issue
1b) iPhone 4 design is not flawed, all phones suffer from certain handgrips

2a) App Store rejects apps unfairly
2b) App Store review protects users from junk and/or malicious apps

3a) Lack of Flash is a bad thing
3b) Lack of Flash is the best thing about the iPhone

4a) Non-removable carrier custom apps are a bad thing
4b) Apple's refusal to allow custom apps that replace non-removable ones is a bad thing

5a) Verizon's network is superior, because it has fewer dropped calls
5b) Verizon's network is inferior, because I can't use data during a voice call

6a) iPhone 4 camera is better than Android phone X
6b) iPhone 4 camera is worse than Android phone X

7a) iOS doesn't have true multitasking
7b) Android multitasking slaughters battery life

...among others

Personally, I'd prefer not to have to read through 10 comment pages where more than half the comments don't have anything to do with the story.

/rant=OFF

 

[ineel]

okay everybody needs to start going to bars and picking up random iphones and checking if the carrier on it is verizon or it doesn't have a sim card slot

 

[kdarling]

okay everybody needs to start going to bars and picking up random iphones and checking if the carrier on it is verizon or it doesn't have a sim card slot

You don't have to go to that much trouble. It'll be easy to spot:

Just keep an eye out for someone using an iPhone where all the other iPhones can't get service... and he's the one with the Verizon model!

(This works the other way around, as well)

 

[MorphingDragon]

Probably not. I've heard China uses a different version of CDMA than Verizon does, and that they're not compatable.

America's CDMA version is CDMA 2000, and its only really used in America.

 

[kdarling]

America's CDMA version is CDMA 2000, and its only really used in America.

There's over 100 countries and 300 networks that use CDMA2000, albeit with slight protocol differences. (There's a group trying to merge them all.)

Verizon lists almost 50 countries where a Verizon handset will work on voice.

 

[itsjoshuaclinto]

Yeahh..about that.

Currently, I do not see the iPhone coming to Verizon in the near future being that the iPhone has been configured to run on At&t's network. Thus, without reconfiguring and developing new versions, the iPhone would not work on Verizon's network. It's been rumored that the iPhone can be used on T-Mobile's network because At&t and T-Mobile have similar networks. The closet network to Verizon's is Sprint, and I think we all know how Sprint is doing..

Now LTE (Long Term Evolution) has said to be released as early as 2012 with At&t and Verizon switching to the network, the reality of both these large networks wanting to be on the same network has me doubting; making it easier for users to switch between providers without having to change their phone isn't something a service provider is enthusiastic about.

Still, it'll be interesting on the events to come with these three successful and powerful companies. [Apple, At&t, Verizon]



Off topic,

I am an At&t customer with an iPhone and I prefer my iPhone 4 over any other phone. Having played on my friend's droid, I was not impressed at all. Not bashing on the phone or anything, I just thought it was too bulky and did the same thing that my phone would do. As to any 'unreliability' remarks that the iPhone 4 receives, I can only say buy one and then you will realize how out of context that issue has become. First off, in my experience, it has not been Apples design of the device, but more of the quality problem of At&t's network. Thus, being in a fast, metropolitan network is going to have a positive effect than being in a rural area that only can provide edge. Secondly, if Apple never produced the iPhone, I would still enjoy having my Blackberry Bold. Has At&t pissed off Apple? Oh I am sure. Does Apple want to terminate their contract with At&t due to poor quality service? I can definitely see that happened, but not likely.

Okay, I'm done. Not that many of your probably read this, but whatevs. Enjoy your service and your phone. Not here to argue with you, I'm just tired of people spewing our their opinions and ideas without understanding all three parties.

 

[bmwhd]

I have information and even strong (though anecdotal) evidence to the contrary. I myself am not bound by an NDA but my source is. Therefore I can't share the details now so this post is worthless

Still, it will be fun to point back to when the Verizon iPhone launches.

Which I will now do

I found out about the Verizon iPhone from an employee there (who will remain nameless) nearly a year ago. That person never actually spoke to me of it, showed me anything in writing, or in any other way violated his NDA. Still, to be safe, I'll leave him or her out of it.