Josh OngMacworld reports that Verizon President and COO Lowell McAdam made the comments at a press conference at the CTIA conference in San Francisco.
When asked to comment about a story from The Wall Street Journal that Apple will begin building a Verizon-compatible iPhone by the end of the year, McAdam dismissed the story as "one of those things that rolls out every few weeks whether there's a basis for it or not."
"I can't give you any insights," he continued. "But I think Apple is the one that has to make that announcement."
McAdam remains hopeful that a deal will eventually be reached, especially as Verizon rolls out its Long-Term Evolution 4G data network.
“What I’ve always said is I expect at some point in time our business interests are going to align," McAdam said. "I think things like LTE are another great reason why they’d want a device or tablet on that network. But I don’t have anything to say today about timing.â€
In September, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg downplayed rumors of an upcoming Verizon iPhone by telling investors that he hopes Apple will work with Verizon to sell an LTE 4G smartphone.
Andrew Orr
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
AppleInsider Staff
44 Comments
Well what do you know, ANOTHER story on a fictional Verizon deal.
Or is it just another ploy to stop xmas sales and have people hold out for the Verizon phone instead of buying a new iPhone over the xmas period. When it doesnt happen and everyone else is sold out these people have no other option but to settle for an Android phone.
And thus the cycle repeats.
Seriously the CDMA phone is for the chinese market. This has just been blown out of proportion to halt sales, just like the iPhone 5 rumour that was circling today also.
And by "business interests aligning" he means he expects Apple will eventually agree to Verizon having their own app store, loading their iPhone with crap ware, and doing everything in their power to steer iPhone users towards their own paid services.
They've had a lot of success with Android phones now-- and none of their Android "partners" are in a position to say no to anything Verizon might want to do-- so I'd imagine they're less ready to deal than ever. They can tell Apple that they really don't need the iPhone, so unless they're ready to play ball the Verizon way they can take a hike.
Meanwhile, after at first appearing to be ready to allow Android to be Android, Verizon seem to be moving back towards their old "it's our phone, we can do what we want with it" model. Personally, if acquiescing to that is what it takes to get the iPhone on Verizon's network, it doesn't seem worth it. Much is made of Android's US sales gains, but Apple is playing a global game here, and in the global scheme of things Verizon isn't that significant.
This is exactly how Verizon is supposed to act and exactly what they're supposed to say if they either have reached or will reach a deal with Apple. Keep it a secret. Deny without really denying. Not saying they have, but they're playing their cards right to be certain.
This is exactly how Verizon is supposed to act and exactly what they're supposed to say if they either have reached or will reach a deal with Apple. Keep it a secret. Deny without really denying. Not saying they have, but they're playing their cards right to be certain.
I think you're right.
And by "business interests aligning" he means he expects Apple will eventually agree to Verizon having their own app store, loading their iPhone with crap ware, and doing everything in their power to steer iPhone users towards their own paid services.[/URL]
Something like that. Certainly it's garbage along those lines that is the impasse now. Verizon has a good network, but also the slimiest execs on Earth. (Know this first-hand, I'm afraid.)