Verizon Posts iPhone FAQ, Gives $200 to Recent Phone Buyers
Verizon has posted a frequently asked questions section alllllllllll about the new iPhone 4 in order to get customers prepared for February. One juicy tidbit is that they are giving a $200 visa card to smart phone buyers that purchased a phone during the holiday season. Check it:
“I just purchased a new smartphone during the holiday season, but if I knew that iPhone 4 was going to be available soon I would have waited. What are my options now?
Current Verizon customers who purchased and activated new smartphones, feature phones or certified pre-owned phones between 11/26/2010, and 01/10/2011, are eligible to receive up to a $200 Visa debit card when they purchase an iPhone 4 at full retail price by 02/28/2011 and return their existing phone. Note: This offer is only available on consumer accounts with five lines or less, who are purchasing iPhone 4 through Verizon Wireless retail stores, telesales, or through verizonwireless.com.”
The other interesting answer,er… non answer, is on data pricing. Most assumed that Verizon would use the same data plans for the iPhone 4. According to this FAQ, they have not released iPhone data pricing yet.
“Are there minimum service and data pricing requirements?
Yes, iPhone customers will need to choose from any of the current Nationwide plans. Customers will also be required to activate a data package, pricing will be announced at a later date.”
Hit the link to see the rest of the FAQ
Via [Verizon FAQs]
Verizon CEO Talks Apple Relationship, LTE, and Network Capabilities
Verizon’s CEO Ivan Seidenberg sat down with Business Week’s Charlie Rose and had some pretty interesting things to say about their relationship with Apple and how the CDMA iPhone came to be. The first question on the docket, is how Verizon will handle the data traffic that AT&T seems to struggle with due to the iPhone. Here is what he had to say on the subject:
“A little-known fact is that we carry almost as much data as they do. So even though we don’t have the iPhone today, our Droid users are heavy data users….So we’ve had good success in carrying a lot of data up until this point. We think a key issue for us is going to be that customers, if they get a better experience on a smart device using our network, that’s going to be a very important element of our marketing strategy. We think we’re ready, and we’re not going to talk much about it. We’re just going to let the performance speak for itself.”
Another interesting point in the conversation, is who was in talks for the iPhone 4 years ago. Many people were under the impression that Verizon was offered the iPhone first, according to Seidenberg, that was not the case.
“How did this Apple tieup come into being? What changed?
I don’t think anything changed. It all started with Apple (AAPL), and Apple decided that it wanted one carrier in every major market. So Apple and AT&T consummated a deal three years ago. And because Apple was more focused on a single technology—the GSM technology—they chose AT&T. We had good discussions with them, but it was clear to us that they weren’t looking to make a device for both sets of technologies.”
Big Red’s CEO continues by hinting that they may in fact get the LTE iPhone first as they are further along in the 4G race.
“We’re further along in 4G than others are. So I think this decision, from Apple’s standpoint, is also very strategic because they get to establish a relationship with us early in their cycles to take advantage of the 4G stuff that’s going to come out over the next 12 months. If you do your job well, then in an industry like this, eventually the right partners are going to end up on the dance floor.”
The rest of the interview is definitely worth the read. Head on over to business Week to read the complete one on one with Verizon’s CEO.
Source [Business Week]
White iPhone 4 – Verizon Exclusive
After speaking with a source close to the matter this evening it seems that Verizon Wireless has managed to lock in a deal with Apple that will give them the iPhone 4 in white exclusively. As many of your know this white iPhone4 was delayed from June to end of this year. It now seems that during this delay Verizon was able to secure the phone for themselves when iPhone4 launches on their network in January. Apple made a statement this past Tuesday stating the phone was to be delayed yet again util early next year. This just happens to fit with the Verizon iPhone launch.
The real upside for Verizon in this deal is branding. Why you ask? Well it’s really very simple. Apple isn’t going to budge on allowing the standard Verizon logo onto their phone. Having an exclusive color is the branding, if not better then the standard logo. Everyone will know right away that you’re on Verizon. This is a huge win for Verizon and could translate into a large amount of potential AT&T customers signing up with Verizon instead.
Guru Inspection: Apple TV (2010) Review
I got the my hands on the brand new 2010 Apple TV and put it through its paces! Check out to see if the new Apple TV is worth your money.
Gadget Gurus Predictions
Just wanted to point out that all predictions made on the show will now be tracked and posted to our new page ‘Guru Predictions.’ There you’ll find what each guru has predicted for an upcoming event, and after you’ll be able to see where they hit and where they missed.
Right now Ray is riding a streak of ‘I called it!’ think he’ll still be able to hold that title after today’s Apple event?
What do we predict for today? New iPods, new iPads, maybe even an Apple TV? Find out here: http://thegadgetgurus.net/guru-predictions
