It's a little silly just how hush-hush this whole
iPhone-AT&T exclusivity agreement has been, but now it sounds like it just might be next century before any of you CDMA loyalists are able to indulge in the App Store. According to a fresh report in
The Wall Street Journal, people "familiar with the matter" have suggested that AT&T is feverishly working to extend its exclusive agreement to carry the iPhone in America until 2011. Last we heard, the deal was stretched out
through 2010, and considering just how many new subscribers are flocking over solely for this phone, can you really blame the guy for wanting another dozen months of bliss? Not surprisingly, an Apple spokeswoman had more to say about her personal life than on these rumors, but if you were really banking on snapping up a Verizon-branded iPhone at the end of next year, you should probably ask someone to blast you with a giant fire hose of reality.
[Via
HotHardware]
posted Apr 15th 2009 11:39AM
um. wouldnt next century be 2100?
that's probably just exaggeration. or engadget really doesn't know the difference between decade and century.
2101.
If Apple lets all the carriers carry the iPhone, it would be the equivalent of what happened when the iPod software was finally supported on Windows. In other words, the iPhone would go from being a hit to being a MEGA hit. It could possibly take a majority stake of the smartphone market. Forrester Research just released a report saying that Corporate customers are really, really satisfied with the iPhone. This is after Forrester recommended that Enterprises NOT support the iPhone only two years ago.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/04/forrester-research-changes-tune-on-iphone-in-enterprise.ars
Of course, Apple would have to do a few more things, like providing an equivalent of an iPhone Nano, say an iPhone on EDGE, but no Wi-Fi.
@pacman
i would love an iphone on edge. i currently carry a sony w580i and a 2nd gen touch, but i would put em both on craigslist and buy an iphone if i didn't have to pay the stupid data fee for an iphone. i spend 90% of my time either at home or at school where there is really fast wifi so theres no point for 3g. sure i'd pay 300 for a phone up front and another 100 bucks a month for our family plan isnt so bad. but 700+ for something i'll never use, fuck that.
My prediction? iPhone won't show up on Verizon until the deployment of LTE! Watch!
PS I don't believe Apple is interested in making a CDMA iPhone (to costly with limited return). (i.e CDMA networks are only in NA, RU & SK). GSM/UMTS/LTE are the defacto global mobile standards.
@V3xx
You can buy an unlocked 2G iPhone for around 300 and do exactly what you want...
@v3xx
You're right. So maybe Apple needs to just offer the old first generation iPhone with EDGE and Wi-Fi, but with a different look and less flash drive space, say 8 to 16 GB and bump the specs on the 3G iPhone up to 32 GB and 64 GB. And the option to do away with the data plan would be a nice touch, especially if you have Wi-Fi at home and work.
I also think that Apple needs to come out with a gamepad attachment for the iPhone and iPod touch, which works with new slate of premium games and gives an extra battery boost. That would cement their status as a legit gaming platform, which would be a serious contender to the DS and PSP.
Noticed that too. Maybe they're referring to the iPhone 2099, at which time Apple, Inc is under control of Dr. Doom.
We all know he's a big fan of CDMA.
Ryan now wears his shades on his head instead of his "fidel" cap. :)
What's the "Fidel" cap got to do with anything? I like my Fidel cap!!!
@000000
Do you mean the iPhone 3G which is technically the 2G as it was the 2nd iPhone or do you mean the 1st iPhone which was technically iPhone 2.5G, cause that's what EDGE is in network terms, 2.5G.
Pacman,
Your example is not remotely analogous.
The iPod on Windows *had* to happen to get beyond the
Molly Wood nailed it Monday on Buzz Out Loud. The Wall Street Rag is doing nothing more than pimping Apple at this point, when their quarterly report is due out next week. Hence non-stories like "Steve Jobs Still Runs Apple" etc ad nausem.
http://www.cnet.com/8301-11455_1-10218182-10.html
Starts about 11:45 in
Hahaha Ryan looks like a total brobag in that pic.
Awesome. Quarantine the plague and keep it on lockdown! The longer it is contained, the better. I'd be so annoyed if every US phone carrier starts sticking that blasted phone as their "teh sheetz" phone on their websites.
Plague?
Just like the plague of computers, iPods, 3D games, and the internet.
Right?
What do you care? Nobody's making you buy one. And since when is more choice a bad thing? I'm sure a lot of people with an iPhone would like to be on a carrier other than AT&T.
competition is a good thing, when more carriers get the phone they compete with each other for lower prices/more options. And its the interesting stuff that starts to crop up then, like free/included bluetooth tethering which carriers have no need to do on an exclusive phone but could be a deal clincher if they suddenly have 4-5 other carriers offering the same thing for lower prices or similar stuff themselves.
Competition drives innovation and lowers prices, and since the fate of the mobile market seems inextricably linked to the iPhone the more innovation and competition that gets the better for the rest of the industry and hopefully its hardware competitors.
@The people above:
You guys -are- aware that I posted what I posted just to annoy people who would actually take my post seriously, right?
Cheers!
wow su u have serious hate for the revolutionary.Im guessing ur credit didnt pass or att rejected u.,or maybe are a winmo fanboy or bb fanboy.,.,either way u need cell phone therapy.,
dee dee deee!!!!!!!!!11
There's a reason why EVERY cellphone carrier wants that phone!
If you wouldn't be that ass-tight you would see the reason too.
@PoisonWolf
That is the very definition of a troll. Good job.
@Justin
It's rather funny to see how butthurt all you people get over the internet. Take it easy, you don't have to act like you can't jizz anymore if someone disses your iPhone love. Good job guys.
Cheers.
I liked the dissection of the Nintendo DSi:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/08/nintendo-dsi-torn-asunder-sized-up-against-ds-lites-innards/
???
I think you're confused.
I think he's trying to enter one of the contests where you had to name your favourite engadget post.
I think is just talked about JMMD as if he was a kid in a zoo...
"carry the iPhone in America until 2011."
No..
Just..
Please.
No.
Aha! They're only keeping it until 2011, because we all -know- what's coming in 2012!
The End!
The Olympics.
considering all of the talk about a new iphone or whatever the hell apple is making ... it makes sense for them to try and keep that exclusivity.
ill be sticking with verizon, and using my 3 year old phone that does all the same shit
Hmm... "Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak..."
You can't jail break the iPhone for use on a CDMA network. It don't work like that homie.
No der, Captain Obvious. I don't think that's what he was saying. ;)
Good, gives other carriers more incentive to start selling more Android phones.
engadeget has a little problem with numbers..and centuries
I'm fairly certain that was an exageration.
good news for android then
I like the idea as it will help push AT&T to push network upgrades harder....since they are conservative and lazy at 3g deployment and operations otherwise.
For what it's worth, I just noticed I got a speed boost up to 2 Mbps from 1.2 Mbps on 3G HSDPA with my iPhone. Has anyone else noticed this?
check out the basket on that guy! ouch!
I think this is great for AT&T, the agreement would let them carry the best smartphone on the market today and the future. The deal will continue to make them the leading provider of telecommunication providers following Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.
A good deal depends on 1 thing... the price.
If ATT has to pay too much to keep it exclusive it's not a good deal.
The bottom line is that without alternatives the customer ultimately loses. There are millions of people who are stuck on their current provider for more reasons than a 2 year contract and it wouldn't matter if the iPhone came with a personal assistant who watched your kids and picked up your dry cleaning they wouldn't be able to switch.
Apple doesn't care what network it's on as long as they get their $$$. It has nothing to do with the BS they keep talking about as the 'user experience'.
ok another bottom line comment .,
say every single cell carrier in usa starts selling iphone tomorrow.,.,sprint,verizon,att,tmobil,heklio,boost,virgin,metropcs,cricket,etc.,seriously think about this.,what would happen to windowsmoblie,bb,nokia,lg,htc,samsung handsets here in america.,?answer
they would cease to exist.plain n simple.,.,so do it apple kill every major handset manufacturer here in america.,do it steve pull the trigger.,drop the bomb on these muthas.,they asking for it.SHANK THEM
im glad i have always been on att, forget having to worry about unlocks and what not, anyways att is not that bad. but i still think it would be very interesting to see what other companies would have done with it. who knows maybe android is really apple ;) its the tmobile version of the iphone and the pre was really made by them too which is sprints version LOL anyways im gonna get down voted for that one im sure. it was a joke guys really........... anyways i don't blame att for trying to keep a phone that goings to keep them afloat during these "rough times".
With a name like Pubeless, and a comment like that, I'm gonna guess you haven't even hit double digit ages yet.
Do I win a prize?
Verizon would probably NEVER get the iPhone. iTunes directly competes with it's own VCast offerings and neither VZW or Apple will budge. The best VZW will do, is attempt more iPhone "killers".
In-deed.
verizon already could have had it and chose not to because they are a bunch of dumb stubborn assholes
screw them, their loss
Exactly. That's why I plan to switch from Verizon as soon as the new iPhone comes out. I know I'm going to miss the coverage, since Verizon is substantially better than AT&T in my area, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice for what the iPhone brings to the table. It will be interesting to see which side gives into the other when the LTE iPhone is due 1.5-2 years from now. I honestly believe Verizon is content just putting out iPhone "killers" loaded with crapware and sub par applications. I think they will favor having substantial control over the phone's UI and content vs Apple's stance on the issue and thus, never get the iPhone. Maybe I'm wrong though--maybe they'll cave. The sad part about the whole situation is that they don't even have a viable competitor in the near future. At least T-Mobile and Spring are making an effort to compete. Shame on you, Verizon.
actually (with the 3.0 update) verizon could have the vcast as a paid app (that would only work on verizon iphones), have it preinstalled and then they could use in app purchases for anything related to it.
not that i would want them to do that, but it would seem doable
There's more to it than that. Verizon likes to exert its influence on the phones it offers. Then of course, the Verizon Vcast app would have to make it to the App store which Apple will deny because it duplicates functionality.
It's an irresistible force (Apple) meeting an immovable object (Verizon).
werd. cant wait to dump vzw
"(The best VZW will do, is attempt more iPhone "killers")"
For the sake of Verizon customers let's hope they'll be successful one day in actually getting one. As far as I can see the closest device just went to Sprint.
>> "iTunes directly competes with it's own VCast offerings and neither VZW or Apple will budge."
I seriously doubt VCast is at the top of Verizon's list of things to focus on. I'm sure Verizon would rather have the iPhone and all of it's subscribers' fees than run a crappy music store. Apple is a leader in the online music business... where is VCast?
We already know that Apple doesn't make much money on iTunes songs because they make money on iPods. Does Verizon make ANY money on VCast? Has anyone ever used VCast? Does someone buy a Verizon Phone just so they can buy songs over VCast? Rhapsody, nice!
I think Verizon would rather have the iPhone and all of its users on their network... even if it meant giving up their VCast store.
VCast... seriously? I've NEVER met anyone that uses it.
@Michael Scrip: Logically, you are 100% correct. It's nothing more than a value added feature for marketing.
However, you have to take into account Verizon's mentality. They are very stubborn, and controlling. They want their color scheme, menu scheme, applications, etc... on the phones they sell, with no third parties. They have a vast history of disabling or feature limiting Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, computer synch tools, etc... Then you have Apple's mentality - "We prefer our own stuff, but we are going to approve and deny on no real basis just to keep you guessing. - In short, we are a lot like Verizon, except we like to f*&k with your head"
WiFi is by far the latest. They didn't want ANY phones with WiFi, now they may have 1 or 2.
Also, in Verizon's mind - VCast is > than iTunes.
BlackBerry Storm doesn't have WiFi?
Nope. A few of them do. Unfortunately, after the first run, they noticed that things were heating up a little too much, and it was causing problems. So after the first run, they removed the WiFi antenna.
it does but verizon dosabled it for americans.
and THAT is why I will never EVER use verizon. They have a long HORRIBLE history of deciding what people can and cannot do with phones THEY OWN! The bluetooth debacle back on the first CDMA rzr from moto was a perfect example.
screw verizon and their crappy EV-DUM network.
Well, since it's been proven that the current 3G iPhone works just fine on Verizon's CDMA network, I don't think this will happen. Apple would be foolish to ignore Verizon's huge customer base, and I'll be able to get a more competitive rate if AT&T and Verizon are competing for the same customers...
Not if Verizon tries to make Apple Raphael the iPhone.
Put down the crack pipe and come up for air, The iphone does not have a CDMA radio, no way it works on Verizon or Sprints network
Seriously. The crack pipe. Put it down.
No current or announced iPhone is capable of working on Verizon's network. Period. It's not a matter of unlocking or enabling anything; the hardware is simply not compatible. GSM and WCDMA are completely, 100% incompatible with CDMA.
The only way for one phone to work on both types of networks is to stuff two radios into the same phone. A very few special "global" phones made for and sold by Verizon do have that extra hardware; the iPhone does not.
@CraigJ
Obvious troll is obvious.
yeah, that would be a problem, and my post was not entirely accurate (although no crack was involved, unfortunately)
I distinctly remember back when the 3G was launched that there was a discussion about the fact that the Infineon chips in the phone were CDMA capable, and the the phone could probably handle voice, but not data on a CDMA network. I spent 30 minutes looking for the original article, but Google is not my friend today.
Anyway, the point is that the chip set in the phone is CDMA ready, they just need to add the right radio and firmware to handle the data.
I think Apple could make a single device that works on both networks.
Data sheet on chipset in the iPhone: http://www.infineon.com/dgdl/PMB8877_S-GOLD3.pdf?folderId=db3a304412b407950112b408e8c90004&fileId=db3a304412b407950112b40d37c80d0c
Key excerpt:
S-GOLD3 extends into the growing 3G market, offering easy migration from a GSM/GPRS/EGPRS phone to a ** dual-mode wideband CDMA/GSM terminal. **
Engadget, what are you doing! You are talking about Apple products too much today. That asshole Hamdixa, or whatever his name is, is going to be offended. You must be an iDiot.
I break into a fit of laughter every time that Hamidxa fool launches into a rant about how great WinMo is. He thinks he's persuading people away from the iPhone or something. He must be a comedian or just dumb as a rock.
@ P.A.C man - I'm gonna go with dumb as a rock on that one.
Well that fucking sucks. At least if I do get one this summer, the contract will expire in time to go back to Sprint if they get it (providing there is not something which blows the iPhone away at that point).
Is the ad in the picture for this year? It say twice as fast, half the price, July 11th? What year? It really doesn't matter. AT&T wants me to drop $700 for a deposit on top of the price of the iPhone. I ain't got a grand to justify a hyped (maybe over-hyped) mp3 player that can make calls.
So...you're annoyed because your credit isn't good enough to buy an iPhone without a $700 deposit? That's neither Apple nor AT&T's fault, you know.
It would be interesting to see how many people would leave AT&T if AT&T lost their exclusivity rights...
Well, right now the only other option would be T-Mobile. Useless to say that their 3G network "isn't the best" at this moment.
Apple would be stupid to do this. Some people simply will never change to AT&T, and if they cannot get an iPhone, they'll end up buying a similar smartphone. By locking people out of your own phone, Apple would be creating a huge market void for someone like Palm to fill and possibly rise rival the iPhone, and even surpass it in sales in the US.
Doesn't make sense unless they reduce price of current I phone Service fro $30.00 per month to I have Vue from AT&T still refuse to activate the internet at $15.00 per month internet on a phone should be free they can create revenue with adds GEEKS don't knw how to market to people only machines-
I would rather pay $30 for internet than have to close 50 pop ups to support "free internet" for my phone!
I'd try an iPhone, but I've tried AT&T and the voice quality SUCKS. Sounds like talking underwater compared to Verizon's CDMA network. Apple would be smart to open up, and make a CDMA/GSM world roaming iPhone for Verizon and Sprint.
Push your exclusivity up a few years all you like, but push your contract prices down...
-Sam
I'm sure Verizon does not care...
After all, they have the Storm doing such a bang up job........( ROLLEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Dont forget about the Voyager and Dare...all marketed as iPhone killers.
bottom line comment
apple has zero intention to create cdma radio,cdma id dead on a global scale.Apple is for sure staying with att partnership, everytime an iphone bill is paid apple gets a cut of the monthly data plan .per agreement.Verizon rejected the iphone project in nov of 2006 they had their chance n let it slip away.Sprint outta the question. If anything tmobile usa might,but such a new 3g in comparison to att.Seriously in usa apple iphone doesnt have many choices.Only good thing for american consumer would be that iphone price woul drop to $40 range on a 2 year.,.,notice how absolutely no one is fighting for exclusivity right over say a windows mobile or nokia or even bb phone.
Now what does that say ?please answer that question.,.,
which phone is showing supreme superiority ,desirability n dominance..?
Its probably smart to keep the iPhone on one carrier. How could Apple - as influential as they are - keep things the same across carriers? Pricing, quality of delivered products...etc would all have to be individually monitored and checked. Thats too much of a hassle. Keep it to one carrier and you only have them to worry about. Each carrier has its own rules and regulations about things - Lets say the iPhone was on Vzw and ATT - then you start to get apps and hacks that ONLY work on ATT phones and not VZW phones or vice versa - and Apple wouldnt allow that.
Apple doesn't get any percentage of the subscription fees anymore, right? So what does it matter if one carrier charges more for the iPhone than another?
RIM has Blackberries on every carrier... and it seems to work out for them.
contract prices would never drop unless there was some kind of government mandate, there are already plenty of smartphones that cross carriers, e.g. blackberry curve, that cost pretty much the same whether you are on att or vzw. it's possible the actual contract price on the phone would drop, but as it is right now $199 is pretty damn reasonable.
Only for the high earning.
For UK people over here it is free with a 24 month contract (£28 pm) Add that all up and thats £672. Equivilent to $1008.
Yes it's over 2 years, but that is VERY expensive for a phone for some. Don't get me wrong, i so want an iPhone, really badly, but the price is holding me back :(
-Sam
yeah, but how much is a blackberry? and its 2yr service plan? my point was that adding other carriers won't change its price, not that the phone is inexpensive to own
I'm one of those people who didn't switch to AT&T because I really liked my Verizon service. While my other friends with iPhone complained about dead spots and dropped signals I was taking long drives across states and never hitting a spot i could call of txt. I wanted an iPhone but liked Verizon so much and felt the iPhone was lacking things I would be bothered without having. But now after the 3.0 update I think the iPhone is becoming a perfect phone in many more ways than their competitors. If in a year a no one can match the iPhone in terms of overall use and ease of use, I may switch to AT&T. I dont want to, but i will. Plus Verizon loves to overcharge and overbog their phones.
It would be nice if data prices fell overall too. :\
I hope not. AT&T sucks and is the main reason for me not getting one. Put it on t-mobile and include UMA and I'm good.
Were they to port the IPhone to Verizon, My prediction would come true, RIM would go out of business.
The Bold and the Storm saved them for now but mark my words, They would die.
I don't think so. The iphone is not a business phone. If it had a tactile keyboard, Docs to Go, better security, maybe. I hear it should get docs to go and tethering, but until the full package shows up if it ever shows up, I seriously doubt an iphone will cause RIM to go out of business. Hell, the president uses one. It would be very interesting if apple did come out with a version that incorporated a real qwerty keyboard, in terms of sales that would be a real game changer.
I love my iPod touch and would love to get a iPhone but, won't pay the high monthly fee that at&t charges for the plan. It is far more expensive then my Sprint Family Talk/Message/Data plan. I get 1500 anytime minutes shared between 2 phones (Instinct and Blackberry Curve), unlimited night and weekend minutes at 7:00pm for both phones, free Sprint to Sprint for both phones, unlimited text/picture/video messaging on both phones, and unlimited data on both phones all for $130/month. When at&t can offer all that for a price close to that, then I'll think about making the switch.
Until then, bring on the Palm Pre.
AT&T already offers free in-carrier calling and unlimited data with their iPhone plan.
@Zak ...yes... but it's at a greater Premium to an equivalent Sprint plan.
Yaaaaaaawn...
If at&t gets exclusive rights to the iPhone for a few more years, I think Verizon is really going to need to either come out with an Android based device, or get the Palm Pre in 2010 (if the reports that Sprint's exclusive rights end at the end of 2009).
I realize that a majority of people that use cell phones do not need smart phones, but it seems like the smart phone is gaining popularity. I can't believe how many older folks I know that have an iPhone (some even in their 70's and they love it!). Plus, the younger generation is all about the iPhone.
Verizon has the Blackberry Storm, which in my personal opinion, should not even be on the same level as Android, iPhone, Pre. Yes, it is a smart phone, and yes, it is a Blackberry, but if I wanted a Blackberry, the last thing I would get is a Storm.
I am currently stuck on Verizon until I graduate and get a job (I am a poor college student). That gives Verizon 1 year to release an awesome phone, otherwise I will definitely be switching (I really want a Pre).
ok another bottom line comment .,
say every single cell carrier in usa starts selling iphone tomorrow.,.,sprint,verizon,att,tmobil,heklio,boost,virgin,metropcs,cricket,etc.,seriously think about this.,what would happen to windowsmoblie,bb,nokia,lg,htc,samsung handsets here in america.,?answer
they would cease to exist.plain n simple.,.,so do it apple kill every major handset manufacturer here in america.,do it steve pull the trigger.,drop the bomb on these muthas.,they asking for it.SHANK THEM
Let it stay on ATT it doesnt matter to me. Waiting on the Pre!