Rumor: AT&T Wrangles iPhone Exclusivity Extension
Rumor: AT&T Wrangles iPhone Exclusivity Extension
Posted 05/06/2010 at 2:56pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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Many in the tech community have long been anticipating the day that Apple's popular iPhone would be available on a carrier other than AT&T. As far as anyone knew, the exclusivity arrangement was set to expire this summer, paving the way for an iPhone on Verizon Wireless. But BroadPoint analyst Brian Marshall is now indicating that the great deal Apple got on 3G iPad data plans came at a cost; the extension of iPhone exclusivity.
According to Marshall, AT&T will get another 6 months of exclusivity with the new iPhone. He expects the phone to land on Verizon in the first quarter of 2011. The iPad plans are contract free, and in addition to the unlimited $30 plan, there is a cheaper 250MB $15 plan. Marshall believes AT&T was willing to agree to this in exchange for first crack at the new iPhone.
We will have to wait and see if Marshall's hunch is right, as none of the involved parties are talking. If the iPhone was available on Verizon instead of AT&T, would you jump on it?
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jjsm586
May 09, 2010 at 10:55pm
The first apple product I ever
purchased was an iphone 3g... I was very excited all though not so
excited to have a contract with at&t... to make long story short
I went through 6 iphones because of dead pixels on the screen I
probably spent more time in apple stores changing phones that using
it beside the backups and restoring, I also started to hate how
freaking slow the 3g phone is... so I was excited when the 3g s came
out finally I wouldn't be waiting on my phone :) so I went to get it
the first day it came out & guess what... sure enough it had a
dead pixel on the screen I couldn't believe it, Was I jinx? Well the
at&t store did not have any more & apple store had only new
ones which they couldn't give me one because I bought it in an at&t
store... I was so angry that I didn't go back to apple until 10
months later & they replace my screen, well finally I thought it
would be over but guess what? now my gps wouldn't work, What in the
world? I went back to apple the next day and they told me the hardware
was working fine, that it was because the poor at&t network and
well "It is what it is" I couldn't believe an apple tech
would give an answer like that one... well the next day I went to
another apple store and they replace it and since it was new phone I
exchange it with my boyfriend for hes 3g & guess what none of my
apps work after a while of using the 3g & on the new 3g s the gps
still not working... The only thing I know for sure I will not give
one penny to apple again, I will wait for the HTC EVO and if I don't
like it I will buy the NEXUS ONE :D until never again apple couldn't
hate you more rite along with at&t and my old iphone 3g that I
passed along to my sister in law still has a dead pixel...
Vausch
May 08, 2010 at 1:31pm
Let's face it, Apple may be stuck-up and with this issue about the leaked new iPhone they've lost respect from many who saw them as the artsy underdogs, but I love playing with my friend's iPhone. However, the funny thing is the thing's call quality is terrible but it's obvious that's not caused by the hardware because it's speakers and microphone work fine. On Verizon it could actually be used as a phone!
Vausch
May 08, 2010 at 1:30pm
Let's face it, Apple may be stuck-up and with this issue about the leaked new iPhone they've lost respect from many who saw them as the artsy underdogs, but I love playing with my friend's iPhone. However, the funny thing is the thing's call quality is terrible but it's obvious that's not caused by the hardware because it's speakers and microphone work fine. On Verizon it could actually be used as a phone!
Mighty BOB!
May 07, 2010 at 7:23pm
" If the iPhone was available on Verizon instead of AT&T, would you jump on it?"
No. Because it's an Apple product. Unless that guy who hacked Android OS onto it can make a good stable crack that makes full use of the iphone's hardware that is. (As I recall not all the buttons worked or something?) I'd use an iphone if I didn't have to use Apple's crappy software.
IFLATLINEI
May 07, 2010 at 10:25am
Im no fan but the iPhone is a nice piece of hardware. With that being said these exclusivity agreements didnt help anyone. This one in particular exposed At&t's weaknesses and made the iPhone an underachiever. They sold alot of iPhones for sure but imagine what could have been sold had they had an iPhone available to all carriers. Theres no shortage of wannabe tech enthusiasts and idiots with agreements with Verizon or Sprint. Ahhh but Steve jobs knows that would have weakened his control over his clones. Not good for Steve jobs. Whats funny is if I can see that Steve Jobs is holding Apple back why cant Apples investors?
SysAnalyst
May 07, 2010 at 4:17am
I debated (for all of 12 seconds) waiting for the iPhone on Verizon. I am very happy with my decision to go with the HTC Incredible instead -- bigger screen, higher resolution, faster processor, 8MP camera, more RAM, NO ITUNES!! and the list goes. Yeah, Apple's AppStore may have 4 bazillion apps, but for the things I want my phone to do, the Android Market has me covered.
So, screw Apple and their locking you into iTunes and the stupid m4a files. I'll stick with Android, Gmail and the Amazon MP3 store. Thanks.
dbest27@hotmail.com
May 07, 2010 at 4:14am
I truly don't like any of the wireless carriers but they are a necessary part of technology. I would love to see Sprint steal Verizon's thunder with IPhone before Verizon. From Apples standpoint they would sell a heck of alot more iPhones with additional Family Share plans @ $20.00/mo versus Verizon's $30/data $20/text. How many parents would be willing to spring for a IPhone when it is just a extra $20 spot a month! Hope this happens because Verizon is arrogant and they had their first crack at the IPhone!
monkeykid753
May 06, 2010 at 7:33pm
The iPhone is the reason AT&T sucks so much. The iPhone uses 4X the bandwidth compared to most other smartphones.
My exploding trick: Any iPad/Phone/Mac haters get a lot of silly putty, then clog up the speakers on iPad and iPhone or vents (if they exist) on an iMac and wait for a few minutes... then....
BIG BOOM!!!!
The Creator of that
thunderclap82
May 06, 2010 at 6:25pm
That's fine. When my contract with AT&T is up in July I'm switching to Verizon. If iPhone is available I'll upgrade to the latest and greatest, but if not Droid is an excellent phone too. No skin off my back.
BinaryMonkey
May 06, 2010 at 4:36pm
Actually, I'd love to see the iPhone not tied to a specific carrier. Apple has the power to make it happen. It might even set the precedent and pave the way for devices to be carrier independent. That way carriers would have to focus on winning customers based on plan prices and service level instead of "If you want this cool phone, you have to sign with us! BWHAHAHAHA!!!!"
Viva la libertad!
Baer
May 06, 2010 at 4:31pm
I am really not that impressed by the iPhone in its present format as there are many things that it will not do and besides, I had my fling with a touch screen and I went back to a keyboard (Blackberry) and I am very happy with it.
However, after saying that, if it were available on Verizon it would take it from a 100% no way to an 85% probibally not but it would take it into the relm of possiability no matter how slight.
Bustout
May 06, 2010 at 3:35pm
I'd switch in a heartbeat. (Even willing to pay early termination fee)
Phrish
May 06, 2010 at 3:17pm
Just means they will push more people into Android.
LOL don't expand your customer base. Just get current users to upgrade to the next iPhone. Force potential customers on other networks to adopt Android.
Yeah, makes perfect (Apple) business sense.
- Phrish
Zan
May 06, 2010 at 4:16pm
I'm forced to agree with this statement. I'm an iPhone fan, but an AT&T convert to Verizon. I picked up a Motorola Droid and actually like it a lot. It's far more powerful and tech geek flexible on the Android OS with so many ways to modify and customize your phone. The simple fact that it acts like an OS (file browsing, file & folder editing, overclocking, UI themes, Wifi Tethering, etc.) make it worth the cross over. The only thing I truely miss are the iPhone games. Will I switch back of Apple if the iPhone goes to Verizon? With Android clearly gaining momentum in it's early life, I doubt it.. Good luck iPhone, I'll miss you... a little.
Caboose
May 06, 2010 at 3:24pm
huh?
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
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