It looks like AT&T is preparing to lose its exclusivity deal with Apple for the insanely popular iPhone. Just take a look at what went down at CES 2010 — the company announced that it will soon be carrying at least five phones using Google Android and at least one using Palm WebOS. In 2009 AT&T could afford to ignore both operating systems, simply because the iPhone was far more mature and popular than either. As WebOS and Android have matured — and presumably because AT&T knows that Apple will not be renewing its exclusive contract — AT&T has decided to round out its catalog with other smartphones.
Most rumors indicate that Apple and Verizon will be partnering in the second half of 2010 for a new iPhone. Verizon is the largest network in America and far more reliable than AT&T. It seems like a win-win situation for Apple, Verizon, and iPhone customers that want better service. Should this happen, AT&T would still be an Apple partner, but you can bet that a large number of its customers would jump to Verizon.
If you’re a current AT&T customer with an iPhone, would you jump to Verizon for the better service? If you’re in the market for a new phone, are you willing to wait to see if Verizon and Apple will team up? As for me, I’m seriously considering the Google Nexus One, but an iPhone on Verizon seems brilliant.
As an AT&T customer with an iPhone… you (R Pad) told me I couldn't jump to another network with it because of the 3G frequency doo-hickeys.
Asking me "If you’re a current AT&T customer with an iPhone, would you jump to Verizon for the better service?" is a tad confusing now. Would I be able to do that? or would I need to buy a new iPhone anyway when the contract expires?
If it's the latter, it would be less confusing if you said "Would you jump to Verizon for the new iPhone when your contract is up?".
I have bought the new iphone every summer and if in June Apple introduces a new 4G phone for Verizon then I'm ready to jump ship
that sentence is all jacked, let me just say that I have purchased the new iPhone every year.
Speaking of iPhone on a gaming website… I've been sinking some hours into a free game called "The Cartel". I suppose it's like Mafia Wars… but I don't know since I never played Mafia Wars.
@R-Pad
Any news on a Tegra powered Android phone?
@N8R
Verizon is CDMA, ATT is GSM. The radio frequencies and hardware are totally different. To answer your question, yes you would need to buy a new device.
I'd go to Verizon for a new Iphone. In fact, I may just wait and see.
@N8R Learn your wireless technologies! AT&T and T-Mobile are currently on GSM, but use different 3G frequencies. Sprint and Verizon are currently on CDMA. Like Smartguy said, yes, jumping to Verizon would mean getting a new phone.
@Sandrock323 Not yet. There were a few Tegra 2 devices at CES, but I don't recall any of them being phones. I'm curious to see if the next Nintendo handheld will be Tegra powered, as rumored.
@ R Pad
That's my point. Jumping to Verizon would mean I'm set on having an iPhone. The sentence in question implies that that won't be any worthwhile phones on AT&T once iPhone leaves.
Basically, I can't just jump to Verizon for the better service. It would be for a better service and a new phone, Basically, it combines the two questions you asked in to one mandatory objective to switch to Verizon. You can't just jump ship. It's more complex than that, as you stated.
That's where my confusion was.
@ R Pad
For the record: I am set on having on iPhone. But you don't just write for me (I think).
@N8R Yes, I understand that. I'm saying that most people I interact with already know that GSM and CDMA are incompatible. I realize that different people have different levels of tech savvy, but to me it would be like trying to use a PS3 controller on your Xbox 360.
I hope the iPhone goes over and crashes their network too.
@SlickyFats Ha! It's possible, but doubtful. The network is already in good shape and the company is probably anticipating a big spike if it gets the iPhone.
Yeah, I don't think Verizon will be brought down to its knees like ATT was. Unless Verizon is plain retarded and has not paid attention to the network problems plaguing ATT since the Iphone hit.
I do think that the vaunted 3G speed and reliability will come down a few notches though. That many people jumping onto one network is bound to have some consequence.
This is exciting news for me! I am on verizons network already, really want the iPhone, and I will be ready for a contract update this summer! Everything falling into place? I think so.
@buskenyan Timing is everything, hey?
@R-Pad
That sucks. Tegra is shaping up to be a netbook reinvention and the cellphone market could easily take advantage of it too. (Also, If Apple doesn't release a tablet this year, I don't think they will be able to dominate it like they do other markets. Being first is usually their greatest advantage.)
@ Sandrock
-"Being first is usually their greatest advantage"-
When? They had the first home PC, that's about it and it was DEFINITELY not the first computer. They didn't have the first MP3 player, nor was the iPhone the first cellphone.
Unless you're talking about all the "new" things each new iteration of Windows has that OS had been doing for years (and that's not even completely true when you consider gaming)… I have no idea what you're talking about.
@ #17 & Sandrock
Ok… the Newton was the first palm pilot… and that obviously worked out great for them (sarcasm).
@N8R
The first good product. Lets face it, both the iPod and the iPhone had no real competition when they were launched. That won't be the case if they let any of the Tegra tablets launch before their tablet does. (I don't think the ones this year will be all that great being the first set tablets, so it shouldn't be hard for them to gain market share this year.)
@rpad. I'm certainly hoping this timing works out. Lol. I'm really looking forward to the iPhone on verizons network, as I have been talking about this move since I got my itouch.
@bsukenyan That would be a tough decision for me. I love the idea of the next Nexus phone having a keyboard, which Google's Andy Rubin mentioned. So much of my work is tied to Google that it would make sense for me. Then again, I love my Sim-less iPhone.
@ray. Google would make it a tough decision with phones for me, except I am too attached to my itouch now and want the phone. If verizon was not getting the iPhone I would probably like the droid better, or at least something from google. I can see how having a google phone would be beneficial for you though.
@ Sandrock
You got me there, Apple is a crazy good innovator. They take what's on the market and improve it to things nobody else thought of yet.
My personal opinion is that the tablets are a wash. I believe they will go the way of the Newton. A few corporate people will buy them to show them off for a little while, but students will probably rather buy a laptop for the same price. Gaming doesn't seem likely since you'd have to expand a mouse and keyboard to it (once again, might as well get a new laptop). They just don't seem usable to me.
Everything I see them being good for you can do on a phone nowadays. The plus of having that stuff on a phone is that you're only carrying around one device.
@bsukenyan The Droid is really tempting. I made my brother get one of Christmas and he loves it. The thing I like about the Nexus One is that it’s unlocked GSM. I have sim cards for several countries and it would be great to use them all on one smartphone.
@N8R I loved my Newton. The handwriting recognition was phenomenal for the time.
@N8R
I view them as smaller versions of netbooks. Not good for productivity, but good at surfing the net and watching movies.
@rpad. That would be a good use for the nexus one, I don't travel abroad (ever), so I don't have too much use for that. It does sound like a handy feature though. If not got the iPhone the droid seems very tempting with the growing app store and capabilities.
@ R Pad
Amazingly, both of my kids had a VTech toy that roughly did the same sort of thing (which I recommend to all parents reading this. I buy one as gifts for all the kids I know).
@ Sandrock
I'm still predicting a short lifespan for them as a whole. They're flashy and cool to show off… but that novelty will wear off.