Phone Wars

By Marcus Delahoz

The Wall Street Journal’s recent speculation that Microsoft and Verizon Wireless are joining forces to create a smart phone to rival Apple’s iPhone have not been confirmed but are stirring competition.

So-called sources familiar with the Microsoft-Verizon talks say the smart phone codenamed “Pink” will be a Windows multi-media phone made specifically to challenge the iPhone. However, in other talks Verizon is also discussing the possibility of developing a phone with Apple called the “iPhone Lite,” which is a smaller and more convenient iPhone.

AT&T currently dishes out any where from $3 to $18 a month to Apple for every customer that uses an iPhone on their network as part of their exclusive deal with the iPhone. Could Apple’s discussions with Verizon be a ploy to squeeze more money out of AT&T as their iPhone deal comes to an end soon?

Apple has sold over 10 million iPhone units since its introduction in 2007 and has increased AT&T’s customer base. All the while Verizon is said to be launching its 4G network in 2010, making it an ideal candidate to carry the next generation iPhone.

All things considered we are at least a year away before the real winner of any deal with Apple is finalized.