Verizon iPhone definitely coming in 2011, says Fortune

I have a friend who works at Verizon, and she said they were told they would be launching the iPhone on January 11th.

It really seems to depend on where you are as to which network is better. In Northern Michigan, there is really only one that works, that's Verizon. In suburban Detroit, at least in my circle of travel, AT&T isn't usually bad at all.

We will all benefit from an additional network to choose from.

Sorry but I don't buy this at all, even if Fortune is repeating it. Because it doesn't address the known detail of the 5 year contract. When someone reveals how that will be dealt with, and whether this is an exclusive CDMA contract or not, then I might bite.

But lets just play a game and assume it is real. What can we expect.

First off, I haven't seen any actual dual cdma/gsm cards on the market and this whole 'programmable virtual sim' is just a theory at the moment. So it would be either a phone with two sims in it (perhaps) or a CDMA phone.

Second, Apple will retain total control over the UI and content. No way are they going to let Verizon say anything or put anything on the phone they don't approve. So I'm guessing that the whole FIOS thing pre-installed would be a no, just like ATT's UVerse app is not pre-installed on the current iphone. The most Apple might do is help Verizon get it through the approval process with fewer issues so that buyers can download it if they want.

Third, no Verizon branding. On the phone, on the screen (other than the carrier code at the top).

Fourth, the only comment that makes any sense is the 'not 4g just yet'. Because the coverage isn't there. And doesn't look like it will be. Now if Verizon steps up large in the next month, that could perhaps change. But it would have to be very soon so Apple can test and produce units.

have a 3GS now... jonesing for a 4... but may wait it out as i'm interested to see what form factor (assuming these rumors materialise) the vzw iphone takes on... new design? or same outer metal antenna as current iP4?....

HAHAHAHA ... 3G

Let all the clueless verizon junk riders exodus, verizon is easily one of the worst companies ever. They will nickel and dime u worse than at&t ever could. And they will treat u like trash while they do it. The best will be if this doesnt even happen so i can laugh at fools who think stories carry any extra weight bc of joke lublications like murdochs wsj or fortune nagazine

"The report suggests the phone will be a 3G-only unit (sorry, would-be 4G early adopters) and most likely will not carry a SIM slot and GSM radio to allow worldwide roaming, at least not in the first version of the device."

No worldwide roaming? I can do that with my "unsmart" Verizon phone now. It's one of the features that made Verizon my choice for a carrier.

What good is an iPhone that can't get a signal anywhere but the US?

I'm not gonna hold my breath

I don't care. This is the most tiring iPhone related story in the universe. I bet these rumors and reports take up 10% of the history of iPhone 'news.'

Cant believe this news hasn't made Engadget yet, this is news many people have waiting years to hear and have had to settle for Droids in the meantime!!!