Appletell

There are Apple rumors, and then there are Apple rumors. Some fade into the ether, some linger for what seems like years until…well, until they come to pass. The latest of these is the rumor that Apple will be announcing iPhones for Verizon Wireless in 2009, perhaps as early as Macworld 2009 (guess they won’t be needing those reasons why Verizon is better than the iPhone).

9to5Mac reports that:

We’ve fielded a couple of tips (some more sketchy than others) about EVDO iPhones floating around Cupertino in the past, but today’s tipster seems a little bit more sure of himself.  Besides having some Verizon insider credentials, he seems to know way too much about Verizon-Apple politics. According to him, Apple will be announcing iPhones for Verizon Wireless in 2009, perhaps as early Macworld 2009. Negotiations between Apple and Verizon are ongoing but they expect to hammer out agreements by the end of the year.

Ah, so the tipster seems to “... know way too much about Verizon-Apple politics.“ Must be true, then, eh? You sold me.

MORE »

Gizmodo has posted an interesting list supposedly from Verizon about their talking points regarding the iPhone 3G.

Jump past the break to find out why they feel they’ve got more to offer than the iPhone 3G.

MORE »

Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon boss, isn’t a good friend of Steve Jobs, or at least isn’t now. When interviewed by the Financial Times, he said that, “Steve Jobs eventually will get old.“ Verizon Wireless recently bought Alltel, the fifth-largest US wireless company. With the addition of Alltel, Verizon Wireless will surpass AT&T to become the leading mobile operator in the U.S., or fifth largest in the world. With 80 million customers, revenue has also gown 5.8 percent in 2007. Mr. Seidenberg is sure Verizon Wireless will take a large chunk of the revenue from the growing mobile Internet.

From 9to5Mac:

“There goes the conspiracy again,“ [Seidenberg] says of Apple. “You’re declaring them a winner before they’ve earned it on the field.“ Jobs has no monopoly on innovation, he cries.

Maybe he’s just a little frustrated that Verizon turned down the offer to put the iPhone on their network? I mean, what else? Seidenberg’s older than Steve!

Via [9to5Mac]

• Walmart will sell iPhone, just not for the holidays
• Apple Releases Apple TV 2.3, couple nice new features
• Apple rated #1 in customer satisfaction in recent survey

In light of a recently revealed 2006 Apple Patent Application, there is new hope for us who want a iPhone- but have a certain lack of nearby ATT coverage in their area.  Apple’s application shows technology that would not only allow the user to register with many of the big cellular companies, but it would also permit users to register with multiple carriers, for better coverage all around the world.  This feature would probably use some sort of Mobile Virtual Network Operator Server (MVNO).  Users would then be able to choose networks like they choose WiFi Hotspots.  Although it is unlikely that many users would actually do this, there is some speculation that certain providers would allow a non-registered user to talk, charging them on a by-the-minute basis. 

Not having open-source iPhones is up there with some of the biggest mistakes Apple has made in the last few years, in terms of profit maximization.  The iPhone is still one of the most sought-after items in the technology industry, and the lack of an open-source system is what could drive me away from an iPhone towards some other smartphone.  Should Apple add an open source feature to the iPhone (Maybe in the much anticipated 3G iPhone? Maybe? Lets hope), it would open them up to a huge amount of new customers that would really etch Apple’s name in the books as having the best smartphone.

Let us know what you think, drop a comment below with your thoughts on the subject.

• AT&T branded Nokia E71 spotted in-the-wild
• Contest: can you be Yahoo’s next CEO?
• Walmart will sell iPhone, just not for the holidays