People waiting to get an iPhone that is unburdened with a specific wireless carrier in the US could soon get their wish. Venture Beat reports that the Twitter user known as "Chronic" has stated that Apple may launch an unlocked iPhone in its US stores on Wednesday.
While other parts of the world have had access to purchase an unlocked iPhone, this would be the first time the US market would have that kind of a choice. Part of the reason is, of course, the iPhone"s long exclusive deal with AT&T since the product"s launch until earlier this year when Verizon started offering its own version of the iPhone 4. Venture Beat points out that now that the phone is available on two wireless carriers (with more rumored to be waiting) Apple might finally want to start offering such a choice to its US customers.
One of the issues for offering an unlocked iPhone is that both Verizon and AT&T use different technology for their wireless phone service. However it appears that Verizon"s version of the iPhone is using a chip that could in theory be used on both Verizon and AT&T"s networks if need be.
Of course everyone is still waiting for the launch of the iPhone 5, which reportedly got delayed due to supply issues created as a result of the Japanese earthquake last March. As usual, Apple has not said when the next version of the iPhone will be released but it is believed it will be made available sometime in September.