iPhone 4 Finally on Verizon: Ready... Set -- Wait

Early adopters are vital to the computer, software, and Internet industries. Why? Well, because they are the ones that find out first hand all that is wrong with something before the paying customers start complaining. For three years, iPhone users, trapped by their commitment to the machine and the fact that only one carrier supported the machine, have waited for the light to dawn.

Don't Get Excited Just Yet...

Yes, it's true that on February 10, 2011 the iPhone will be available on Verizon, complete with all of that yummy data access and the ability to access the Internet from more than just a few spots on the map. No doubt, there are busloads of AT&T customers lining up to lose their old iPhone and get their excited little hands on a Verizon iPhone and these will be the early adopters. They will be the ones that are on Facebook and Twitter complaining about, well, whatever. Do you really want to be one of those that brag about making "the move" and then complaining about it later?

Why Wait?

First and foremost, you will be hit with an early termination fee. For some of you, that will be more than others with the recent, controversial changes in the fee structure. But since it's a prorated system, some of you will not have to pay too much. The old iPhone (same as the new iPhone, like the Who song) will fetch a nice purse on eBay right? That will cover the cost hopefully. The new service is a good deal at, oh that's right there has been no announcement regarding the plan costs. Of course the phone will cost $199.00 for the 16 GB version and $299.00 for the 32 GB version. Hey, it's just another couple of hundred, right?

All of the mobile carriers are in the process of changing their data access plan costs and the result will be higher costs, which is not a big surprise. Most mature people know that nothing is what it seems and this is no truer than in an industry that is rapidly taking over the world of communications. Mature early adopters know that they will be dealing with problems and don't mind because they are helping to perfect a piece of technology. Early adopters that think their getting in first on a good thing are the ones that end up complaining on Facebook or Twitter about, whatever. S are you still sure that you want to run out in the snow to sign up?

Major Difference

There will be only one major difference in the Verizon iPhone that being the addition of CDMA and the fact that you will be able to use the Verizon iPhone as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 other devices, uh that last thing will cost you though. The CDMA thing will serve to increase cost and eliminate the famous iPhone "Death Grip." That's it. The new Verizon iPhone is the same as the old AT&T iPhone, except for the money consumers will be shelling out for the privilege of having the same technology on a new carrier, with better service. But the new machine will not support LTE. That will be reserved for the NEW machine later this year that those same early adopters will happily shell out even more money for.

The other thing that one should remember is Android. It's growing, a lot. Android is maturing as a platform and the legion of smartphones that support it are replicating and getting better. No matter how dyed in the wool a user is, some of the newest offerings are serious contenders. Ready, Set! Wait...

Sources :

Wendy Sheehan Donnell, "Five Reasons not to buy a Verizon iPhone," PC Mag

Jared Newman, "iPhone 4 Coming to Verizon Wireless Early next Month," PC World