More rumors: Verizon + Apple frenzy grows with BW story

I'm all for having the iPhone on more networks for Apple's world domination plans, but any network other than Verizon. They will just find a way to cripple it and people on the VZW network will think the phone sucks when it's really just the corporate suits killing it. Just like every other multi-network phone they carry.

That, and Verizon had first dibs on the iPhone and they passed. Let them suffer for their insubordination!!!

To keep its growth and stock price up Apple must regularly introduce new products. This could be just a ploy to help Apple get a better deal out of AT&T, but I doubt it.

WSJ is reporting it's Microsoft who is talking with Verizon about a 7" touchpad, not Apple.

jeez I hate Verizon. I joined them once before. They do some funky stuff with their bills. I don't trust them at all. Horrible service too, just try going to any Verizon center, just to take a number and wait all day for no one to come.

I will stay clear.

Apple's typically doesn't focus on giving people what they want, but rather *telling* people what they want. Folks will buy a smaller iPhone, if nothing else than because Apple's selling it. And when they eventually realize that they want more from it, then they move to the regular iPhone. Apple is a genius at concocting electronic gateway drugs.

I would LOVE nothing more than for the apple to ditch ATT. *I am honestly sick of my calls dropping this frequently* but seriously this rumor is played out, no need for every blog to post a new development of a a rumor twice a day :/
I think it's time this rumor is laid to pasture. At least till next week.

I would like to see one model phone with both radios, a world model then the iPhone could go on all networks.

There are two main reasons I think this rumor is ridiculous:
first, if Verizon's CEO actually confessed to a reporter that he had been negotiating with Steve Jobs AND told about specific products, well, Jobs would not only stop negotiating, he'd probably have the guy's head.
Second, Verizon is known as the company that cripples its phones, disabling most of the compelling features to protect their revenue streams. I can't imagine that Verizon is the go-to company for an Apple-branded device that will obviously access the iTunes store for music and video rather than Verizon's own media store.
So, assuming that the reporter wasn't lying or making it up, what's the real story? I'll wager that these products were ideas that Verizon thought up at some point, that they're not actual products Apple plans on shipping -- at least, with Verizon's label.

Verizon does have the Hub device that can access the Web and check weather/traffic/etc., call/text/MMS other phones on the account, play music, movie trailers. An Apple-branded device that does all this and more would be a coup for Verizon, especially since AT&T offers a competing HomeManager device. I still have a hard time believing that Verizon would give up that much control to Apple, but perhaps they would to weaken AT&T's grip over Apple wireless products.

I have 5 cellular devices with a Verizon voice/data plan. I would switch the 5 devices to iPhones if AT&T offered the cell coverage I need. AT&T cell range sucks outside of metropolitan areas. Verizon's business model sucks for it's customers but at least they have rural coverage where I need it.