TechWag

: Image via CrunchBase

Rumors are flying around the internet on what could end up being a great deal for Verizon and Apple, while leaving AT&T wondering if the romance has died between Apple and itself. The rumored Media Pad, larger IPhone/Touch/Ipod, book reader, and general all around device hit the blogosphere yesterday like a tornado. The only remaining question is will this really happen, or are we hoping and dreaming again?

Google is tracking over 83,000 entries on the idea of Verizon, Apple, and an IPhone lite, or media pad, or similar device that would be essentially a larger Ipod touch. I want one, I really want Verizon to get into carrying Apple products, and while the ATT exclusive contract was good for ATT, even with its ups and downs I am a dedicated Verizon customer. For all the rumors know this could be the much discussed and much lusted after Apple Tablet.

The real problem with the rumor mill right now is that there is a lack of solid information on this one. There are Mac Fanboys and Fangirls that will immediately run out to grab one regardless of the service contract behind it. Some of us will be more careful about the service contracts that we do sign (hence my non IPhone owning ways), and the companies that we do business with. What makes this more compelling is that the story originated with Business Week, and they are not known for spreading rumors. PC World states:

All signs point to a burgeoning deal between Verizon and Apple because, 1) Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam told Business Week that he has spoken to Steve Jobs within the past six months even though Jobs is on medical leave; 2) Business Week isn’t the type of publication to spread rumors; and 3) if Verizon wants Apple products, new products must be developed. Apple isn’t about to renege on its iPhone exclusive deal with AT&T, and the current iteration of the iPhone is on a GSM network and won’t function on Verizon’s CDMA network. Source: PC World

The Business week article is right here.

In all this might be one of those rumors that will actually come true and if it does there will be long lines again in front of the Apple store. Let’s hope that this is true, but if you are really looking to get one, take a lesson from the IPhone and Ipod touch when they first came out. Apple has traditionally not been able to meet the initial demand, either get there early, or wait until a month or so after the initial release. If this is going to happen, there is going to be a lot of pent up demand, and people are going to spend money on this one. Apple needs to either have a very large initial production run, or people are going to wait. If you can get in their early enough, this might work for you. For those of us who are more likely to wait, this will help out Apple in the long term (30/60/90) day quarter. Odds are in favor though that the initial production run will fall well short of demand.

Microsoft is going to have to respond, they have been making tablets for a while, why have they not caught on, and why is everyone so thrilled about an apple anything tablet form factor?

Amazon also needs to pay attention; the reason that I don’t buy a kindle is because of the black and white interface. Color changes the game, and even Fugitsu is working on a color book/comic book reader. Apple will get their first (if they really do this) giving them a huge leg up in the thin book reading process. Add to that the Apple store, why would people want to buy a kindle?

Game changer possibilities abound on this one, and let’s hope that the rumors are really true this time. Just in time for back to school? That is when the release of this one would make sense. It would also make sense to do this just as people are heading off into summer. The kids will need something to entertain themselves with, comics sound like a good deal right now.

Tags: apple, tablet, media pad, iphone, ipod, touch, screen, Microsoft, amazon, Fugitsu, color, cool