Verizon and Google go after Apple
The Verizon (VZ) and Google (GOOG) joint webcast Tuesday announcing the two companies' plans to challenge Apple's (AAPL) iPhone was long on enthusiasm but short on detail.
"This partnership is a big big deal for us," said Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who shared the virtual stage with Lowell McAdam, CEO of Verizon Wireless, to formally announce a partnership 18 months in the making
According to a press release issued earlier Tuesday morning, the two companies are co-developing applications, services and devices that promise to "leverage the Verizon Wireless network and the best of the Android open platform."
But there were no devices announced at the press conference, and there will be only two released before the end of the year. Eventually, said McAdam, Verizon will be selling whole families of "game changing" Android products — feature phones, smartphones, PDAs, netbooks — and attracting "thousands of developers."
For details — costs, manufacturers, voice and data pricing plans — we'll have to wait a few more weeks.
And to attract developers in the numbers Apple claims to have — 125,000, according to Steve Jobs — Google and Verizon will have some catching up to do.
See also: Verizon vs. AT&T: There's a map for that
"leverage the Verizon Wireless network and the best of the Android open platform."
Interpret that to mean, Verizon will push VCAST on its customers and cherry pick what parts of Android don't infringe upon VCAST revenues.
I mean, what happened to all that "openness" to other devices Verizon was talking about before the big spectrum auction?
I'm going to try to ask a serious question, but I don't know that I will be taken seriously.
How will Verizon & Google manage the variations in hardware to assure quality in the applications? If I bought one of their phones, would I have to search each app in the store to make sure it is compatible with my particular hardware? Or does my hardware only show apps that are compatible and reliable on my hardware?
My personal theory is that innovative hardware tech succeeds when there is strong control and innovative software tech succeeds when there is limited control.
If Windows didn't have to be compatible with 28 different computer manufacturers, they'd spend less time on appeasement and more time on innovation. Microsoft should try building their own hardware and see where it takes them.
Smoke and mirrors. And, oh, yeah, did we mention NOT to buy an iPhone (like EVERYONE ELSE is doing)?
Who wants ADVERTISING on their CELL PHONE?
This may be lucrative for some, but Personally, I like the fact that I have NO ADVERTISING on MY CELL PHONE !! Plus it is listed on the DONOTCALL.GOV list.
Somehow I think Google & Verizon want to change this..lack of advertising…
I better sell my apple stock before everyone owns an iphone. Apple should take the 24 billion and buy a carrier and turn ATT or Sprint into a class act not the disasters they are now….
Verizon has introduced a parade of iPhone killers, which all look kind of silly in hindsight.
Google introduced Android, which hasn't slowed Apple a step.
Google may have some good ideas, but Verizon's corporate hubris is sure to bollix them. I see a very problematic marriage of convenience.
Verizon partnering with Google this closely has to irritate Apple. And Verizon know this. To me, this means that we will never see an iPhone on the Verizon network!
Why would you spin this as a problem for Apple and AT&T?
With two billion downloads so far Apple's App Store gives all competitors and insurmountable mountain to climb. I'll be surprised if it has much impact on Apple.
Microsoft is the company likely to be severely impacted by this. Cell phone manuafacturers, like Motorola, are dropping Windows Mobile for Android. They're hoping this will give them at least some chance to be competitive in the marketplace.
The larger picture is that this news pretty much kills any hope of the iPhone going to Verizon anytime soon. What's left, T-Mobile?Definitely bad news for Apple and iPhone fans.
Sounds like a spoiler campaign at the moment… No products actually released… Sort of "Please don't buy an iPhone until we get our act together… especially in the run up to Christmas". Sound and fury, signifying nothing.
no substance whatsoever, just phrases from an MBA textbook…seen that 1000s of time, let's relook in 6 months
Android os is a more user friendly os than apple. Apple will be worried just for the fact that they have tried to get the device on verizons network since before att accepted the contract with apple and verizon is smart enough to tell them to shove it!