After four years of waiting, the day has finally come.
On February 10, Apple’s iPhone 4 is set to land outside it’s current sole carrier, AT&T.
Launched back in 2007 by Apple, the iPhone, originally priced at $599 dollars, was a device heralded for it’s luxurious touchscreen and its ability to download applications and music on the fly.
Since the introduction of the iPhone, there have been many reproductions of the popular device to suit the needs of networkers’ demands for super fast technology and the ability to do almost anything anywhere.
Originally only working on the “Edge” network provided by AT&T, the iPhone’s Internet capabilities at the time seemed blazingly fast for a smartphone.
But there were faster cellular networks to connect to and Apple introduced the iPhone 3G in 2008 to be able to connect to the 3G (third generation) network provided by AT&T.
In 2009, the iPhone 3GS was introduced, giving the iPhone a much needed speed boost internally and even more ability to play games, use GPS and act as a recording device.
In 2010, following rumors and even a prototype being “discovered” by a news reporter, the iPhone 4 was introduced, changing the entire iPhone design.
The new design featured “Retina Display” by Apple, which has been described as the highest resolution screen on any smartphone in the market, a front-facing camera for initiating “Facetime” and Skype calls and the long-desired LED on the back, which can be used as a flash.
During these past four years, there have been rumors of the iPhone coming to other carriers in the US besides AT&T.
The wireless provider has come under fire multiple times for having a substandard network and consistently dropping calls.
For years it has been said that “in January” the iPhone for Verizon would be released, but every year passed without a word from Apple or Verizon regarding the matter.
Many Verizon customers gave up hope that they would ever get an iPhone and left their carrier for AT&T and the phone they had desired so much.
In a press release on Jan. 11, Verizon Wireless President and chief operating officer announced that the iPhone 4 would be available for pre-order to all pre-existing
Verizon customers Feb. 3 and would be available for purchase on Feb. 10 to all pre-existing and new customers for the upgrade price of $199 (16GB iPhone 4) and $299 (32GB iPhone 4) with a two-year contract.
The crowds are expected to be massive at Verizon Wireless stores and Apple Stores around the country, so if you have been waiting for the iPhone on Verizon, you should probably wake up early that day and expect long lines.
For more information check out http://www.apple.com/iphone/notify-me/ or http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/iphone.jsp.
Todd Sanborn can be reached at toddalan@me.com.