Apple and Verizon Wireless could be getting together to launch two new devices in the near future, with one of the devices possibly arriving as early as the summer.
One of the devices is a phone, apparently much like Apple’s iPhone only cheaper. It is thinner and lighter than the current iPhone and will cost less because it relies on a “system on a chip” or SoC technology which is basically the packaging of all the different chips on a single circuit.
The other device is a Media Pad which is from what we can gather, larger than a mobile phone but smaller than a Netbook. With the Media Pad you can make calls using Wi-Fi, watch movies, view pictures and listen to music. To get a better idea of the size, think about it as being smaller than the Kindle Electronic Reader but with a bigger touch screen.
At the moment, AT&T is the sole carrier for Apple’s iPhone in the US and this is has been a major factor in the success of AT&T. However, the current agreement between Apple and AT&T is due to end in the not too distant future although both companies are in talks with a view to extending their agreement.
These current negotiations between Apple and Verizon must be causing AT&T some concern. Verizon are in fact the biggest network and a more reliable network than AT&T.
If the plans for an Apple Verizon partnership to launch the new devices goes ahead then AT&T are probably going to lose some business and even if the plans fall through, Apple will be in a strong position to put considerable pressure on AT&T to accept Apple’s terms for future agreements. Basically Apple will get what they want one way or another.
Apple will naturally be keen to have their phones distributed through a reliable network that already has a strong customer base.
Why might the talks fall through? Well Verizon turned down the chance to distribute iPhone a few years ago and they could do again. It will all depend on the terms of the deal.
Obviously financial terms will have to be favourable to both parties so subsidy costs will come into the discussion but other things matter too.
Verizon for example might not agree to Apple having full control over all the applications for the new devices as Verizon also has its own applications.
We know that something is happening between the two companies but nothing is set in stone at the moment. Watch this space.
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This is exciting news for Verizon customers who would like to be part of the Apple experience.
I’ve been a Verizon customer for years now and I love the network and never have had any problems! I’m very excited for this and hope that Verizon starts to distribute Apple electronics!
I’ve been a Verizon customer for a bit now and love the service. I also own a few Apple products. I would love for the two of them to get together. I am very tempted to go to AT&T for the iphone BUT I NEVER WILL because AT&T service sucks!