anon(4698833)
Banned
So all the people chiming in saying what the Verizon deal "wasn't" still haven't shed much light as to why they turned down the iPhone back in 2006/2007. If you're going to shoot down people's comments, at least have the legitimacy to post relevant facts that prove stuff wrong.
The truth is, Verizon was more concerned about the iPhone itself if memory serves me correctly...mainly, Apples desire to keep sales, service and upgrades through themselves and give limited function to the carrier (primarily service providing and corporate store sales ONLY). Verizon wanted more control...so Apple went to Cingular because AT&T was just about to ink the deal and make the network incredibly large...spelling big $$$ signs for both companies, and they were willing to give Apple the control that appeased their wishes.
Verizon was foolish, since nothing has really changed (as far as control goes) from the first iPhone...they lost out on a lot of revenue and broader customer base by being bull headed on the control issue.
And personally, i think Verizon still wasn't sure that Apple was going to have success with the iPhone. Maybe a bit too much Microsoft prediction Kool-Aid in their diet at the time (since Gates thought the iPhone was going to be a flop).
Did it hurt Verizon? Not really, outside of investors who would have made out like the AT&T guys did over the first few years. The customers loyal to Verizon got to experience a slew of pretty terrible phones, putting lots of dollars in Palms and other obsolete handsets now...and then building a core of Android fans all the same.
And who really cares? They're all in the cash pool now.
The truth is, Verizon was more concerned about the iPhone itself if memory serves me correctly...mainly, Apples desire to keep sales, service and upgrades through themselves and give limited function to the carrier (primarily service providing and corporate store sales ONLY). Verizon wanted more control...so Apple went to Cingular because AT&T was just about to ink the deal and make the network incredibly large...spelling big $$$ signs for both companies, and they were willing to give Apple the control that appeased their wishes.
Verizon was foolish, since nothing has really changed (as far as control goes) from the first iPhone...they lost out on a lot of revenue and broader customer base by being bull headed on the control issue.
And personally, i think Verizon still wasn't sure that Apple was going to have success with the iPhone. Maybe a bit too much Microsoft prediction Kool-Aid in their diet at the time (since Gates thought the iPhone was going to be a flop).
Did it hurt Verizon? Not really, outside of investors who would have made out like the AT&T guys did over the first few years. The customers loyal to Verizon got to experience a slew of pretty terrible phones, putting lots of dollars in Palms and other obsolete handsets now...and then building a core of Android fans all the same.
And who really cares? They're all in the cash pool now.