More rumors: Verizon + Apple frenzy grows with BW story
In addition to the earlier reports regarding a potential alliance between Apple and Verizon, BusinessWeek has released a story where Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam reveals that he has been in discussion with Steve Jobs in the past six months. The result, the magazine claims, could be two iPhone-like devices using Verizon's CDMA network. One would be a lite version of the iPhone, the other a 7" screen "media pad" -- which would let users listen to music, view photos and high-def videos and place calls over WiFi. The media pad, according to BusinessWeek, is supposed to be smaller than Amazon's Kindle, but with a bigger touchscreen. The so-called iPhone lite would be smaller and thinner than the existing handset. One of these devices could be introduced as early as this summer.
It's not clear if either or both of these hypothetical devices would get around the AT&T exclusivity for the iPhone by being 'different enough' from the existing model. Still, the media pad concept aligns nicely with reports from manufacturers that a new portable product is in the works.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Information Central said 6:01AM on 4-28-2009
"the other a 7" screen "media pad" -- which would let users listen to music, view photos and high-def videos and place calls over WiFi."
Which has exactly what to do with Verizon?
And why on earth would anyone want a SMALLER iPhone? The whole draw of the product is the screen, including its size. Lose that screen and lose the point. Not to mention that if the phone is shorter, the mic won't be at your mouth where it needs to be, unless the thing's a clamshell.
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Brian said 6:55AM on 4-28-2009
iPhone Nano rumors?
I've used phones with much smaller touchscreens than the iPhone. like the voyager, dare, etc.
Brian said 11:09AM on 4-28-2009
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.
puhsitch said 6:24PM on 4-28-2009
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.
Ryan Trevisol said 7:36AM on 4-28-2009
I think it's kind of pathetic when actual print media reports rumors like this. Sorry but, I just don't think we'll see enough of a Verizon LTE rollout by 2010 to prompt an LTE iPhone Lite that would work on enough of the company's network.
And by the way, if we're talking about a 2010 device, who's "seen it" that they could call it an iPhone lite? To this I roll my eyes.
Now an Apple "Hub"? THIS I could see. And might even want.
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feDe said 8:04AM on 4-28-2009
"a 7" screen "media pad" -- which would let users listen to music, view photos and high-def videos and place calls over WiFi."
Taht's an iPod Touch with a bigger screen!
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macserv said 7:03AM on 5-01-2009
Verizon already has a product in this space... The Verizon Hub.
http://verizonwireless.com/hub
AT&T has the niche filled as well by their HomeManager device (which came out long before the Verizon product, but has not been marketed strongly):
http://www.att.com/hm
Would an Apple device do a better job that EITHER of these? Oh hell yeah. Hub's decent, HomeManager's better... Apple would blow both of them out of the water.
Bry said 9:17AM on 4-28-2009
I wish tthis rumour would just die. It's not going to happen.
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glad said 9:19AM on 4-28-2009
If thats all the media pad will do whats the point when iPhone or iPod touch can do a similar job.
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Paul said 9:22AM on 4-28-2009
This is just wishful Verizon users. Apple is all about making one device that they can sell world wide and that still needs to be a GSM device.
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markmanes said 10:06AM on 4-28-2009
If you are Apple -- how do you enter a netbook market without entering a netbook market?
You redefine it and call it a MediaPad or dare I say -- iPad?
You guys are not using your imagination. The problem with netbooks today is that they do not have suitable software to go with them. Sure they can run Windows XP, Vista or some version of linux--but the key to these devices is to understand that it is about mobility software on a mobile platform. Reading email and browsing the web is not enough. The big operating systems don't really have the software collection or the means to deliver the software to the device. Who has this already?
What Apple sees is this in my opinion:
MediaPad + AppStore = HomeRun
The Verizon angle is easy to see also--they need a high speed network so that this device is always connected. My guess is that the service on these devices will be optional--however for it to not have a wireless connection would cause it to be a big iPod Touch. That we do not need.
All they need to do to is insure the device has Bluetooth and a dock that acts like a stand so you can use the Apple wireless keyboard and my friends we have a party on our hands. At least for me.
By the way--I think this is why netbook makers are goofing around with Android. They see the same thing Apple does--he who controls the spice (apps) controls the universe. :)
-mark=
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THJ said 10:46AM on 4-28-2009
I'll believe it when I see it. Jim Cramer's video clip of talking about how a hedge funds seed rumors through Business Week, CNBC, and The Street for the purposes of pumping & dumping (or naked shorting) makes me hesitant to believe anything from those sources.
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Edsel said 10:57AM on 4-28-2009
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.
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CVScience said 5:41PM on 4-28-2009
That's not entirely true in my neck of the woods. I've owned iPhone in rural upstate NY since November and haven't found an area without coverage yet. I do agree, though, that Verizon generally has better coverage.
Gene Cowan said 11:32AM on 4-28-2009
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.
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Alex said 12:19PM on 4-28-2009
Verizon likes to software cripple good hardware. Until LTE is "for real" I just don't see the benefit of Apple and Verizon. I would much easier trust a rumor of "Foxcomm leaks CDMA version of iPhone" than this mess.
Jim said 12:14PM on 4-28-2009
I would like to see one model phone with both radios, a world model then the iPhone could go on all networks.
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*Just some girl said 1:19PM on 4-28-2009
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.
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manoj mohan said 7:02PM on 4-28-2009
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.
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Noah said 10:04PM on 4-28-2009
WSJ is reporting it's Microsoft who is talking with Verizon about a 7" touchpad, not Apple.
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