Apple Dropping Intel in the Future: This Means a Verizon iPhone is Really Coming?
Friendships and rivalries in the world of high tech rarely last. Apple and Intel’s future together might be in jeopardy concerning iOS. Intel bought Infineon’s wireless department last month, but it looks like Apple might ditch Infineon’s chips in favor of Qualcomm’s for powering the actual cellular part of the iPhone. This news comes from the Chinese language newspaper China Times, but it does make sense and certainly does not hurt the prospects of a Verizon iPhone in the near future.
Intel already makes the processors that power Apple’s Macintosh line of desktops and notebooks. Its acquisition of Infineon is part of its strategy to get more of a footing in the mobile category and expand what it can offer to potential smartphone and tablet manufacturers. However, there are two problems with Apple and Intel teaming up for the next iPhone model: Intel’s CEO probably pissed Steve Jobs off when he criticized the new Apple TV and Infineon does not make CDMA compatible chips. Everyone knows how angry Jobs can get (it seems only now Adobe is seeing some type of relief from his wrath) and since Verizon’s network is CDMA only, Apple needs a CDMA manufacturer like Qualcomm (who invented CDMA) if it ever hopes to make a Verizon iPhone.
I do not think any of us really care who makes the internal components of our smartphones are long as they work, so I will skip ahead the juicy part. That Verizon iPhone I mentioned in the previous paragraph. If the news out of China is really true, we might be seeing a Verizon iPhone in the near future like the rumors have been claiming. A Sprint iPhone could also be in the works.
It seems lately that as the Verizon iPhone rumors grow a little stale, a new, hybrid rumor of sorts has been gaining a little ground. What’s the next best thing besides Verizon and the iPhone? T-Mobile, Sprint and the iPhone. Okay, maybe not. But its better than only having AT&T as a carrier option. You have to agree with that, right?
Tell me if you think the move towards Qualcomm for baseband chipsets means some new carriers will be getting the iPhone in the near future. I sure hope it does.
Tags: CDMA, Apple, intel, qualcomm, rumor
I believe the step to CDMA would be a step up for the iPhone. I have heard from countless people that if they could switch their iPhone to verizon they would. I think AT&T only has one thing going for them and that is is the iPhone. If verizon did not have the best service then they would have no chance in the mobile phone market. I truly believe that AT&T and Mac have some agreement that keeps them from selling the iPhone to verizon. The technology is there but still no iPhone on the horizon for verizon. WHY!?
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verizon reps are trained to say nothing but to try to keep the customer – all I know is that I’m not renewing any of my 4 verizon contracts until and if they get the iphone – otherwise I’m jumping ship come january
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“I spoke to a verizon rep….” you’re an idiot. If you’re gonna lie at least make it believable. Everyone knows if there is a verizon iPhone in the works, the college dropout behind the counter has no idea. The only people in the know are apple and verizon execs and developers. And if your “verizon rep” did tell you that he is only trying to keep you waiting for a verizon iPhone instead of losing his commission to AT&T. MORON!!
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First, I moved from VZW to ATT to get the iPhone in November 2009. I was with VZW for 15 years. My family is still with VZW….I am the only defector. I love the iPhone….it works with my business and all of my Apple products AND I have not had the issues that some have had. My iPhone works great in NJ, Pa and NY. Second, my daughter’s friend Dad has a friend (I know…I know a guy who knows a guy who said…) we’ll, if this is true, and I don’t have any reason not to believe this person’s contact’s, the iPhone will be coming to VZW in January as some have stated. Yes, and I agree that the VZW news is stale and honestly is just stupid. But, I really feel this person who works for VZW in a pretty high spot, is telling the truth. TIME will tell. I would love to be on the same network as my family again….it’s pretty expensive with my own plan.
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Anonymous:
In what city and state did you hear that? Did you believe him? I really want an iPhone!
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I spoke to a verizon rep last week and he told me that the iphone was coming either for christmas or at the beginning of next year. He said that it was a definite thing.
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I think the move only makes sense. With the fiasco of the iPhone 4 “abduction” and leak, Steve and everyone else at Apple is keeping this one close to the vest!
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