Earlier this year we heard reports of a CDMA iPhone, making all of the Verizon users simultaneously jump for joy. Now we finally have an idea of when it should be released and revealed to the world. Sometime in January 2011 is likely for a release, due to Apple ordering CDMA chipsets from Qualcomm, meaning Apple is actively working on this new iPhone and getting ready for a major event.
Such an event may be announced at this year's CES. The part that makes this all extremely plausible is that Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg will have the honor of the opening keynote. John Gruber claims that the device is currently at the EVT stage or engineering verification test. This is before the stage DVT, or device verification test, but still shows that this gem is well on its way - in terms of a Verizon iPhone coming soon, it is looking pretty good.
What could this mean for Apple and Verizon? For Apple it vastly expands their market, and market share, both of which are great for anyone related to the iPhone. It also allows second chances. This could mean a fresh start for Apple, as AT&T is known for its poor service. This could also mean a fresh start for Verizon, but in a different way. Verizon isn't exactly known for the latest and greatest phones, but it does have the network to support anything thrown at it. Getting the iPhone could even cause users to switch from AT&T, trying to get coverage in more areas. Any bad rep that Verizon has now could essentially be erased if they handle the sales and opening day correctly of the new phone.
All eyes will be on the first minutes of CES 2011 eagerly waiting for that CDMA phone. Neowin will be reporting live this year from CES in Las Vegas this January.
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