Verizon Still Wants iPhone, But Strengthens Ties with Google

Filed in archive Rumours on June 9, 2010

Surprising many annalists, Apple's recent iPhone 4 announcement concluded without mention of a Verizon version in the near future. Verizon executives, who have been speaking regularly with Apple about getting a hold of the immensely popular iPhone, are rumored to also have been working hard on a secondary strategy involving Google and handset makers HTC and Motorola.

The latest word is that these talks with Google are in regards to developing a slew of new devices, ranging from a tablet device to several additional Android-based phones, for launch later this year.

It was four years ago now that Verizon passed up the chance to carry the iPhone on its network. Consequently, the carrier fell far behind AT&T in smartphone sales and data services. Internet surfing and application downloads that have quickly replaced traditional calling as the growth engine for operator revenue.

Apple, meanwhile, has been designing a version of the iPhone that could work on Verizon's network, which analysts suspect the carrier could be getting in 2011.

Verizon, the largest U.S. seller of Android phones, has driven the adoption of Google's mobile operating system more than any other carrier, is going to have to be content for the time being with relying upon many devices to draw consumers (rather than relying upon one flagship phone like it accuses AT&T of doing).