Just as, I rumored that Apple probably hinted in its Q4 earnings call that it is looking to open up the iPhone to other carriers in US (the dominant market for ‘i’), we hit up this rumor that reads that Verizon is already assisting Apple in testing the next generation iPhone that would supposedly run in the upcoming LTE network.
A while back we had heard about a Foxconn (whom Apple contracts the manufacturing of iPhones and more) employee committing suicide after misplacing a fourth generation iPhone prototype. This surely confirms that Apple is testing the nextgen iPhones. Apart from that the AT&T exclusivity ends in 2010, and there isn’t any news on a renewal yet, while rumors of an CDMA iPhone with Verizon is doing the rounds since months now.
Verizon is going unusually aggressive with the Android boost its giving to its lineup (backed by Google) and at the same time taking a hit at Apple with its Droid Does campaign. Wonder if that still makes them eligible for the iLove from Apple? LTE won’t go mainstream till sometime 2011-2012. Either Apple is getting Verizon to push out the service faster (just like AT&T did) or preparing for the distant future when Androids would rule :P.
Ps: Some time back we also heard Apple testing its tablet with Verizon. I have serious doubts on this rumor…