Evidence points to Apple launch of Verizon iPhone on Feb. 3 - rumor
With Apple quietly issuing a retail employee vacation blackout period in the coming weeks, a new rumor suggests the Verizon iPhone will coincide with a debut on Thursday, Feb. 3.
Citing a source "close to Apple," Boy Genius Report said on Thursday that Apple recently narrowed its blackout date for employee vacation requests to between Feb. 3 and Feb. 6, suggesting a product launch on Thursday, Feb. 3. The report also referenced AppleInsider's exclusive scoop this week that Apple has prohibited vacation days for some retail employees in a three-week span covering the last week in January and the first two weeks in February.
Last year, the iPhone 4 was also released on a Thursday, becoming available on June 24, 2010. The report noted that it is not "confirmed" that the Verizon iPhone will launch on Feb. 3, the apparent employee vacation blackout dates suggest it is a likely event.
Rumors of a Verizon iPhone have persisted for years, but numerous dates suggested for a product launch have come and gone while the iPhone has remained exclusive to AT&T in the U.S. But last June, Bloomberg reported that the iPhone would debut on Verizon in January 2011.
In the months following that report, numerous mainstream publications -- including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Fortune -- also provided independent confirmation of an early 2011 launch timeframe.
This week, photos and video of a redesigned stainless steel frame claimed to be for a forthcoming iPhone were released online. The video showing the part was removed from YouTube after a legal complaint was filed by Apple.
The metal frame, which also serves as the antenna via the perimeter of the phone, has new placement of black "gaps." The current iPhone 4 has three gaps -- two on the side, one on top -- while the new parts spotted online have four gaps -- two on each side, and none on top.
Citing a source "close to Apple," Boy Genius Report said on Thursday that Apple recently narrowed its blackout date for employee vacation requests to between Feb. 3 and Feb. 6, suggesting a product launch on Thursday, Feb. 3. The report also referenced AppleInsider's exclusive scoop this week that Apple has prohibited vacation days for some retail employees in a three-week span covering the last week in January and the first two weeks in February.
Last year, the iPhone 4 was also released on a Thursday, becoming available on June 24, 2010. The report noted that it is not "confirmed" that the Verizon iPhone will launch on Feb. 3, the apparent employee vacation blackout dates suggest it is a likely event.
Rumors of a Verizon iPhone have persisted for years, but numerous dates suggested for a product launch have come and gone while the iPhone has remained exclusive to AT&T in the U.S. But last June, Bloomberg reported that the iPhone would debut on Verizon in January 2011.
In the months following that report, numerous mainstream publications -- including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Fortune -- also provided independent confirmation of an early 2011 launch timeframe.
This week, photos and video of a redesigned stainless steel frame claimed to be for a forthcoming iPhone were released online. The video showing the part was removed from YouTube after a legal complaint was filed by Apple.
The metal frame, which also serves as the antenna via the perimeter of the phone, has new placement of black "gaps." The current iPhone 4 has three gaps -- two on the side, one on top -- while the new parts spotted online have four gaps -- two on each side, and none on top.
Comments
http://www.9to5mac.com/category/ios-devices
Do you believe now?
I am not going to Verizon, even though I am contract-free with AT&T.
Yes, No Verizon for me!!!
It is about time for it to happen. However I am sticking with AT&T ...
Another good reason is that it's unlikely Apple would allow the Verizon iPhone to steal thunder away from iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4G or whatever it's called). Therefore, this Verizon iPhone "won't be as good" in some way as the upcoming iPhone. if you don't *need* to change networks, I would wait a few months and see what the next GSM iPhone is like first.
The video showing the part was removed from YouTube after a legal complaint was filed by Apple.
Strong indication that the device was real. I am interested to see the internals of that device.
1. Verizon and it's touted network will get crushed by data needs just like AT&T was
2. Verizon's network will be well prepared because they've seen what the iPhone does to a network the last 3 years and everyone will easily forget that they've had all this extra time to prepare for the smart phone data barrages and blast AT&T even more than before.
Also 9-5mac is 'rumoring' Verizon employee training for an 'iconic device' at the end of the month.
http://www.9to5mac.com/category/ios-devices
Do you believe now?
The people that haven?t believed for the last several months probably won?t until there is an official announcement from either company.
It is about time for it to happen. However I am sticking with AT&T for 2 reasons. First, my unlimited data plan. Two, if some users leave to Verizon, there will be less network congestion for those of us who will stay with AT&T.
I am not going to Verizon, even though I am contract-free with AT&T.
Yes, No Verizon for me!!!
3) It?ll still be faster than Verizon?s network.
4) Simultaneous voice and data on 3G (though that might be changing).
Sure, most people won't... but there are always those that have to have the latest and greatest!
Two, if some users leave to Verizon, there will be less network congestion for those of us who will stay with AT&T.
I am really hoping this is the case.
If this really does happen, then I predict two things...
1. Verizon and it's touted network will get crushed by data needs just like AT&T was
2. Verizon's network will be well prepared because they've seen what the iPhone does to a network the last 3 years and everyone will easily forget that they've had all this extra time to prepare for the smart phone data barrages and blast AT&T even more than before.
so... not matter what happens, you were wrong.
Overall, I'm pleased with ATT...first they kept and used the "rollover" minutes when they bought/merged with Cingular. They have allowed me to keep my "unlimited" data plan from my first iPhone purchase and lastly...they allowed me to upgrade to the iPhone 4 from a 3Gs that I had less than 10 months, which I sold for $200. So moving from the 3Gs to the superior iPhone 4 was a "wash" for me.
I realize they did it to keep me "locked-in," but I don't have a lot of confidence in Verizon's pricing plans.
It will be interesting to see how Verizon will handle the iPhone. It will definitely be a "cash cow" for them. As it is for ATT!
Best
I would like to see unlimited voice, text and data for $79/mo as opposed to the now $120 I'm paying to ATT/mo. I know, I'm dreaming!
Or March, or April, or May, or not at all, or when LTE is out or when 6G comes ... who cares???
Strong indication that the device was real. I am interested to see the internals of that device.
BS. If someone hacked up a fake iPhone frame and claimed it was real, Apple would still fire off a C&D to YouTube. Bottom line, no one speaks for Apple, but Apple.
i know people who work at verizon and they are putting their pets in a kennel that weekend. it means the iphone is coming to verizon
If this really does happen, then I predict two things...
1. Verizon and it's touted network will get crushed by data needs just like AT&T was
2. Verizon's network will be well prepared because they've seen what the iPhone does to a network the last 3 years and everyone will easily forget that they've had all this extra time to prepare for the smart phone data barrages and blast AT&T even more than before.
I?m thinking Verizon will be fine and I think it?s more than just seeing what the iPhone did to AT&T that prepared them.
There is word that the iPhone was sending too many keep alive to the network thus saturating it more than it should, which compounded with the excessive units, especially in cities with many iPhones hitting one tower, the network was saturated even without the excuse of user data transmissions. This is believed to have been resolved in a more recent iOS 4.x update.
Verizon has been able to see what a data-heavy device can do to a network but more importantly they?ve been able to see it happen with the rise of "app phones? on their network.
Finally, they are moving away from Unlimited plans like everyone else. I have doubts that AT&T will keep their unlimited plans for current iPhone users once they have to change their contract. I think it can go either way based on number crunching of how many potential lose of customer who like the peace of mind for an extra $5/month but who aren?t, collectively, costing AT&T more than for the additional data they use. We?ll see.
BS. If someone hacked up a fake iPhone frame and claimed it was real, Apple would still fire off a C&D to YouTube. Bottom line, no one speaks for Apple, but Apple.
I guess you didn't see the video. Several independent sources showed the same antenna and internal frame.
History could repeat itself. Remember the iPhone 4 last year?!
Future Headlines:
Feb 3, "Verizon Finally Gets iPhone"
Feb 4, "Verizon's Network Now Sucks Too"
if some users leave to Verizon, there will be less network congestion for those of us who will stay with AT&T.
My issue isn't network congestion, it is lack of strong signal to start with. That won't change no matter how many users switch to Verizon. I'm pretty sure only using lower frequencies and installing more towers will solve that problem.