14 DAY TRIAL // Although Verizon Wireless was said to be testing some Apple devices on its 3G network, it most certainly was not planning to support the iPhone in the “immediate future,” a company spokesman said, in response to a question from Beet.tv. In the interview (embedded below) Verizon spokesman John Johnson confirmed that the operator did not have any immediate plans to carry the iPhone, and then quickly redirected the conversation to its Android-based offerings.
Asked about Verizon and the iPhone, spokesman John Johnson smiled and sarcastically replied, “No one ever asks that question,” adding, “So, no plans to carry the iPhone in the immediate future, but you've gotta look at the incredible excitement around the Android devices…” He went to stress that his company was keen on building momentum on the Android popularity among the consumer population, as well as developers, and revealed that several new Android-based devices were coming this year. Some of these handsets will be able to record high-quality video, and will boast HDMI-grade output, according to Johnson.
Softpedia reported yesterday that Verizon Wireless was actively testing 3G iPads on its network, according to a well-placed source quoted by the Boy Genius Report. The BGR claimed to have been told by this source that Verizon Wireless was testing a CDMA-compatible device, while LTE was mentioned “in some capacity.” It was speculated that U.S. residents would see not only iPads on Verizon Wireless’ network in the nearby future, but also iPhones. Johnson’s statements have now put such rumors to rest, if only for a short period of time.
Apple, for its part, seems keen on keeping a good relationship with AT&T, the exclusive iPhone carrier in the US. If Johnson’s “immediate future” is longer than a couple of weeks, iPhone 4 should, and likely will end up being supported by the same operator as its predecessors.