iPhone from Apple (AAPL) has been the darling of tech fans since it was introduced in 2007. But the bane of their tech existence has been the fact that they had to use the spotty AT&T (T) for their carrier because Ma Bell had an exclusive arrangement with Apple.
Just about from the beginning, there have been rumors—wishful thinking?—that iPhone will be offered by Verizon Wireless (VZ) with a network that is more robust according to Consumer Reports and others.
Year after year, pundits and gurus forecasted that the Golden Grail of an iPhone on Verizon was around the corner. Now the Wall Street Journal and Gizmodo are reporting that the iPhone drought at Verizon will end with a Verizon announcement Tuesday. The Journal says millions of Verizon iPhones could be sold as newcomers as well as those who are on the AT&T network are drawn to Verizon’s offering.
We’ll see about that. We’ve heard it before. Many times before. With clockwork regularity.
The Week gives a nice rundown on the never-ending dashing of iPhone dreams.
Back in November 2007, Russell Shaw in ZDNet reported a story with this headline: “Verizon iPhone WILL be here within a year or so: here’s why.”
Verizon fed the rumor mill when it said it said by the end of 2008, it would offer its customers the option to use devices not available from the company. It was assumed that would include the iPhone.
It didn’t.
“My prediction is… within a year from now money will be exchanged to end the five-year Apple-AT&T agreement before it meets the end of its natural life in June, 2013,” Shaw wrote.
It didn’t happen. No money exchanged. Verizon-iPhone wannabes left high and dry.
In September, 2008, Cleve Nettles said in 9to5 Mac that “negotiations between Apple and Verizon are ongoing but they expect to hammer out agreements by the end of the year.”
Needless to say, no agreement hammered out. No cigar.
Several rumors came out in 2009 that 2010 was the year.
Leslie Cauley wrote an article in April 2009 in USA TODAY headlined: “Apple and Verizon consider iPhone deal.” Yeah right. That was only a week after Apple said it would remain true to AT&T.
So it was no go in 2010.
The prediction mill continued in 2010 from a variety of pubs for 2011.
And now Gizmodo and Wall Street Journal suggest the Verizon iPhone will be announced at a special event Tuesday. This is based on the fact that some top Apple bloggers have received special invites.
ZDNet’s Sam Diaz is skeptical. His blog is entitled: “Verizon iPhone at NYC event this week? I’m still not buying it.”
He wrote: “The word is out: Verizon is expected to announce an iPhone on its network at a Tuesday news event in New York City. But you’ll have to forgive me if I’m not buying it – the rumor, or the phone, for that matter.”
Dreams may be dashed. But it doesn’t hurt to dream, does it?
