Technology News And Reviews

It’s the latest Verizon iPhone rumor, and we all know they will not stop until Apple’s hit device arrives on the Verizon network (and we all know it will; the question is when). Most have assumed it would be when Verizon moves to next-generation LTE technology, but the latest rumor is, instead, that Apple will be producing a dual-mode world phone version of the iPhone.

Many of the latest phones that Verizon has been producing are so-called world phones. That is, they have both CDMA functionality for the U.S. market, but also have a SIM to be used when the customer is roaming. Of course, that adds expense and complexity.

The new OTR Global report obtained by AppleInsider indicates that a new “worldmode” iPhone will use a new hybrid Qualcomm chip and be compatible with CDMA2000 networks (including Verizon’s U.S. network) while retaining compatibility with UMTS 3G networks for global use.

There are a few reasons to look askance at this report. For one, it also says the new phone will having a 2.8″ screen, which is significantly smaller than the current iPhone’s 3.5″ display. That seems a step in the wrong direction, as most of the latest phones are competing to have screens about the same size as the iPhone, or the Droid’s.

Additionally, the news about CDMA seems to also be a backwards move. CDMA is a dying technology. While it’s definitely clear that Verizon’s 3G network is has far more nationwide coverage than AT&T’s, it was felt there wouldn’t be a Verizon iPhone until the company moved to LTE, which would probably have meant no Verizon iPhone until 2011 or later.

Also, the recent Verizon ads taking shots at the iPhone, and not just about the AT&T network, but about things the iPhone just can’t do, such as background processing (see ad below) didn’t seem to indicate that Verizon was all that enamored of the iPhone. Of course, that could all be sour grapes.

Still, while the Motorola Droid is the best smartphone Verizon has ever sold, many of the early adopters are not changing from AT&T, but are loyal Verizon customers. They say they are not buying it because they want it more than the iPhone, but rather that they didn’t buy the iPhone because of the AT&T network. Give Verizon an iPhone, and likely people will flock to the network from AT&T.

And that will give those still on AT&T’s network a breather, as some of the network congestion will be relieved. Once again the question is not if, but when.

Just a snarky note: it must grate Sprint that no one ever mentions a Sprint iPhone.