Google’s Nexus was just eclipsed.
Verizon’s iPhone went live on the company’s webpage at the same instant that the announcement was made at the company’s event in New York City.
The first iPhone 4 running on Verizon’s CDMA network technology will ship overnight to customers who order from the site on 10 Feb. 2011. However, there is an option on the web page for current VZW customers to sign up and receive the VZW iPhone on Feb. 3, before they ship to everyone else. The going rate for a 16 GB iPhone 4 is $199.00 with a two year Verizon data plan. $299.99 for 32GB with 2-year.
Verizon’s version of the iPhone will be the first to unleash the phone as a mobile hotspot, allowing users to tether up to five devices on the phone–something they’ve had to jailbreak AT&T iPhones to do. Verizon execs would grant no information regarding plan or data pricing.
The phone is not LTE because certain design components would not work with the iPhone on first generation LTE, and VZW was not willing to make concessions, according to Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. Also, LTE is not ready, and Verizon customers have been clamoring for the phone “now!”, he said.
The announcement will finally put to rest one of the longest-running rumors in technology. Finally, consumers can hope for lower plans and better features–i.e. tethering–on their iPhones. With two carriers touting the dominant device, they will likely be vying with each other to win over customers.
