Daring Fireball: Why Next Week's Event Is Hosted by Verizon, Not Apple | Hacker News Reader

Daring Fireball: Why Next Week's Event Is Hosted by Verizon, Not Apple

daringfireball.net

32 pointsatularora21 comments

I'm sure it will sell well, and I know how much current iPhone users hate the AT&T network, but after four generations of iPhones are there really that many people who wanted one that have been holding back?

In the UK you can get iPhones on 5 networks as well as unlocked, yet Android is still growing in a similar pattern. The whole pie is growing rapidly though it is hard to tell. Mmmm, pie.

I wonder if Apple made any compromises with Verizon regarding the software on the phone.

I'd bet $100 that they didn't.

they haven't with any other carrier

the iPhone's available in Australia on all 5 networks, and none of them (incl. Telstra who are the biggest culprit for filling phones with crap you don't want) have any branding at all on the phone

I completely agree with this. I am also hoping for an iPad working on Verizon. That would be a great start to a new year, but I won't hold my breath..(or even imagine, tethering?)

Verizon already supports the iPad.

Not really. The iPad that Verizon "supports" and sells in their stores is merely a WiFi-only iPad bundled with a separate portable WiFi hotspot. This is completely different than an iPad with a built-in Verizon-compatible radio, which does not currently exist.

The iPad that AT&T supports has an actual GSM 3G radio built in.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/07/verizon-iphone-launch/

"And if Verizon wants to do some on-stage bragging about the ways that their network is better than AT&T’s, Apple can’t really be a part of that. Apple is not leaving AT&T for Verizon."

I'm sure Apple is completely indifferent about moving, what is the latest guess, 10 million more iPhones?

I don't know, I think it's much more likely that letting Verizon host the event was a concession made to retain other control, like keeping Verizon branding off the device and letting Apple publish software updates without Verizon review.

I find it hard to believe that Verizon branding on an iPhone was ever a point of negotiation.

Well, I am sure they got the same top left on every Springboard screen deal as AT&T, which is actually more prominent branding than even Apple gets.

I'm pretty sure the carrier name on the top of the screen isn't more prominent than Apple's own branding on the iPhone.

Where does the carrier get a stamp on the front of the Nexus S? I see Google branding all over.

http://cellphonequick.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Google-...

EDIT: Just saying, carrier getting system-wide prominence in the status bar is not insignificant, nor is it common for smart phones.

I think you've got it way backwards.

Apple was in control during these negotiations. If Jobs even shows up, you can be sure Verizon was begging him to do so.

iPhone on Verizon is just a business deal for Apple. The iPhone is already available on multiple carriers outside the US.

The Steve would have nothing new to show off: "Here's an iPhone but the word 'AT&T' has been replaced with 'Verizon'."

If the issue came up at all, I would expect Apple dealt with it easily by saying one word to Verizon: "Sprint".

Isn't Sprint like third by a lot?

Verizon doesn't really lose a lot of customers to the iPhone. If Verizon had the iPhone when I was getting my new phone, I might have gotten one, but they didn't so I got a droid, because I'm on a family plan and it's way cheaper. Thousands of other people are in the same position and just get droids because that's what Verizon has had.

The only player that stands to lose from this deal is AT&T. iPhone on Sprint would not be a big deal to Verizon.

I’m pretty sure Sprint was never a serious consideration for Apple. AT&T is the second biggest network; it wouldn't make sense for Apple to pursue the 3rd or 4th player.

Apple approached Verizon (the largest carrier in the US) before talking to AT&T, which agreed not having seen even a prototype of the iPhone.

Apple and Verizon both needed this deal for different reasons. There are lots of people who covet the iPhone but absolutely won't switch to AT&T. That'll no longer be an issue.

AT&T does approve all iPhone software updates.

Seriously? No, AT&T does not approve Apple’s software updates. There’s clearly a separation between AT&T the carrier and Apple who manufactures the iPhone and updates iOS. I’d be shocked if it were any different with Verizon.

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