Verizon May Not Need The iPhone

[Chris2183]

Interesting article I read yesterday in the paper.



http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/technology/15verizon.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=verizon&st=cse

 

[Margnal]

Does anyone know if there is an app to filter the transfer of contacrs via bluetooth lie you can on a Blackberry?

 

[Lukehluke]

Interesting.

If Apple does offer a contract with them... I wonder if they would take it.

 

[LoyalServant]

They did not take it before... but at this point in the game if offered I bet they would.
It would mean x million instant subs as people jump off AT&T.
Verizon is in business.... it's a business decision.

The real question is whether or not Jobs would ask.
Verizon slammed the door really hard on them in the beginning, and with the droid campaign keeps slamming the door and thumbing their nose at Apple because they don't need Apple to do anything for them, really.

iUsers would just be another ca$h cow to milk.

 

[ari-free]

This article doesn't mention v-cast or NFL which is now on the Droid line. I don't think Apple would let verizon have its own content on their iPhones but without exclusive content, Verizon is just a dumb pipe. The future of smartphones is the ability to have live digital TV at any time and a mobile TV service could complement fios for the home.

 

[Intervenient]

I'm a fan of Android so far, but to be honest, if the iPhone was offered on Verizon (or any other carrier) would these Android phones be as popular?

 

[ari-free]

I don't think Apple chose to be on AT&T in order to help Android

 

[Member 182715]

I think that they would still be pretty popular. Not everyone likes the way that apple runs their show.

 

[LoyalServant]

I'm a fan of Android so far, but to be honest, if the iPhone was offered on Verizon (or any other carrier) would these Android phones be as popular?

Probably not AS popular.
One of the things to note with 'bling' is that it's a fast ride to the top.
Once saturation hits a point, people move on like they are starting to do so now.
Note that something like 80% of the iPhone4 purchases were existing customers.
I think it's hit peak and it's on the way down now.

The Apple folks will constantly remind everyone that the iPhone is one and Android phones are many - but that's why Apple loses every time.

Popularity is a funny thing, one day you have it and the next day.. you don't.

 

[sakmaster]

Verizon certainty doesn't need the iPhone, and I doubt Apple or Verizon would want it anyway.

Every since the launch of the original iPhone AT&T has gotten this reputation of shotty service and dropped calls, this fueled solely by iPhone users. Recently its been pretty much confirmed that this has been because of Apple's poor antenna design or bad drivers. BlackBerrys don't have near the problems on AT&T as the iPhone does. The iPhone also has the reputation of dropping calls through out the world, not just on AT&T.

However because of Apple's reputation of being perfect AT&T as taken the hit for Apple. A major thing Verizon has to consider is the possible brand damage from iPhone users claiming service isn't any better than AT&T.

From Apple's perceptive, Verizon has built their future on Android and offers some of the most cutting edge competitors. The current Smartphone lineup on AT&T sort up sets up the iPhone to win. Apple has always preferred to protect their products from side by side comparisons (similar to how Bose sets up their demo stations away from enthusiasts speakers are displayed). If consumers were to view the iPhone side by side to a Galaxy S or Droid X Apple would loose that "one and only" appeal that locks in that core set of fans from seeing the real competition.

So Verizon does not need the iPhone, and would have to assess the risk of brand image damage. And Apple iPhone would be set loose amidst the toughest line of smartphones on any competitor.

Although I could be wrong, these are just risks both companies will have to assess, there could be a good pay off for both companies. I also think AT&T is probably offering Apple some incentive to keep them as the sole carrier.

 

[KDroidX]

These are all good points, but i dont think apple chose AT&T because it was the worse network. At the time they picked the best network that they thought would sell the most phones. But what if Apple came out with a Idroid.. An iphone ran on android and on multiple networks.. I know they probably wont because of their control freak issues but if they did would this be the new best phone?

 

[ari-free]

There are all kinds of what ifs one could ask:
What if Apple had no problem with apps such as Adobe Flash and other 'competing' apps and only rejected clearly buggy and malicious apps?
What if Apple came out with a keyboard version and several screen size optionss (there are 2 sizes for the imac)
What if Apple licensed their OS to OEM's?

 

[Chris2183]

These are all good points, but i dont think apple chose AT&T because it was the worse network. At the time they picked the best network that they thought would sell the most phones.

Apple chose AT&T because it was the most lucrative deal, I dont think either VZWs network or AT&Ts network played a factor. Apple wanted a large customer base and complete control over their product. They went to Verizon(who was the largest provider at the time) first and Verizon passed, they then went to AT&T(who was 2nd largest).

Then there are business factors. After Mr. Jobs visited rival carriers, AT&T secured the iPhone in part because it offered the most favorable terms. Analysts estimate that Apple brings in an average of more than $650 for each iPhone sold. Consumers pay upward of $200, and AT&T subsidizes the rest.

Verizon, on the other hand, pays far less than $300 for Android, BlackBerry and Palm phones, said Shaw Wu, an analyst at Kaufman Brothers.

 

[lunatic59]

Apple chose AT&T because it was the most lucrative deal, I dont think either VZWs network or AT&Ts network played a factor. Apple wanted a large customer base and complete control over their product. They went to Verizon(who was the largest provider at the time) first and Verizon passed, they then went to AT&T(who was 2nd largest).

The AT&T deal also gave Apple immediate International credibility because VZW is strictly a U.S. service. Don't forget, however, that the first iPhone was only 2G because at the time AT&T had its 3G service only deployed in major markets, leaving big gaps in coverage. The issue with iPhones dropping calls didn't really materialize until the 3G and 3GS because of the iPhone's difficulty in maintaining continuity when switching between 3G and 2G (EDGE) service.

A consultant for our organization recently had an original iPhone fail and Apple replaced it with an iPhone 4. Since then she has done nothing but complain about dropped calls. Our CEO has a 3GS and turns off 3G service every morning just so he can complete calls. It's embarrassing.

As a smart device with an integrate OS, the iPhone line is a remarkable product. As a phone, it's anywhere from mediocre to abysmal.