It has NOTHING to do with Android vs iPhone. It is about mobile carriers, which this game is ultimately about. Verizon being the CARRIER that it is never would have put all their apples in the iPhone basket. IF Verizon would have picked up the iPhone they still would have accepted the Android line when it became available. Why? Because unlike AT&T, Verizon believes and invests in their network and not in ONE third party piece of hardware. They want as many customers on their network as possible, regardless of the device that they are using. Because in the end, it is all about the network for these companies (at least the ones that want to succeed).
My point was that Apple screwed up, not Verizon. Verizon would still be fine if they didnt have Android OR iPhone right now. Their success does not depend on any other company.
Very true, but Verizon wasn't willing to give Apple what they were asking for because they had a NETWORK to back them up. Which meant they didn't need to change the direction of their company for a device. Was it a bad decision for Verizon to turn Apple down when they approached them? As many iPhones as AT&T has sold, I would still say Verizon made the right decision. If you disagree, it is your opinion.
I wouldnt say it was a bad decision for Verizon. It would have been great for them if they could have struck a deal with Apple but IMO Apples need for control has put them in a weaker situation. They were arrogant in thinking they were going to be the only horse in town forever, and they got to see exactly what a capable device on the best network can do...take over the industry in about half a year.
Do you really think all of these people are new Verizon customers who are only getting Verizon service because they want an Android phone so bad?
Seriously? It may have taken Android longer to catch on, but I HIGHLY doubt a powerhouse like Google would have let anything die. Much less an operating system they spent so much time and money on.
Perhaps die was hyperbole, but without Verizon Android develops a geeks only cult like following. With Verizon they are the mainstream smartphone. With Verizon Android is Windows. Without Verizon Android is Linux.
I don't think Google would have released anything less then par and I don't think Verizon would have picked it up if they did. Both companies seem to know what they are doing so far.
The G1 certainly wasn't scaring anyone over at Apple. The pre 2.0 Android devices were subpar compared to the iPhone. Only after the Droid and 2.0 did Android catch up and put a dent in market share.
Do you really think Android would have ever become a joke?
GOOG - 436.55 - Google
VZ - 26.81 - Verizon
T - 24.29 - AT&T
DT - 11.90 - T-Mobile
S - 4.16 - Sprint
It would be a joke right now when comparing it to Apple, especially if Apple WAS on Verizon. Verizon owns half the Android market.
When is the last time you saw a marketing campaign for an Android device that was not on Verizon? The Droid commercials have been driving sales for Android on all carriers.
Without Verizon, Android is still dipping their toes in the water right now, developers are still on the fence about making apps and they are trying to figure out a way to make it work.
Verizon delivered a mass following of users immediately. iPhone built AT&T, Verizon Built Android.