I don't know about the iPhone being on Verizon in 2011, maybe 2012 when the exclusivity runs out.
I thought the CDMA phones that seems to be leaking are heading to China.
Ok flame suit time, give me a second to put it on.
To me there's something special about having a phone that only one carrier has. If everyone could get it then it seems to not be so special. I know if Apple puts it on every network it's more sales for them and people will buy but it sort of cheapens the brand, not sure if that's the word I'm looking for.
Sort of like the iPad being sold in Target, Walmart, it sort of just becomes some doo hickey mixed in among other doo hickeys. It's like going to a Ford dealership to buy a Ferrari. It's the same car no matter where it's sold but still it loses something unique about it...
I hear you on this (to a point). When the first gen iPhone came out, it was special; no doubt. It was expensive, cutting edge and was the must have tech device to own. Since then, it's becoming more mainstream and less special with price cuts on older models and such. I can walk through the mall and see 80 year old grandmothers with iPhones. If anything, THIS cheapens the brand.
But I think Apple's push is to get the iPhone out of the "special" bracket and into the hands of everyone. Sort of like the Model T of smart phones. It's to their benefit since they sell more products and get bigger revenues.
While there is some debate whether or not certain people at, oh let's say Walmart, would even know what to do with an iPad, it's still about getting the bigger bottom line for Apple. The more places their products are available at, the better for them and their bottom line which is the ultimate deciding factor for any company.