Brief Apple thoughts
I don’t think we’re going to hear about a CDMA iPhone for Verizon this year. Next year, maybe even in January, but not this year. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a Verizon iPhone, but I just don’t see it happening until 2011.
I think the talks that Apple and Verizon were having were for an exclusive contract with the iSlate or whatever Apple’s tablet will end up being called for a persistent 3G connection. Apple realizes that Wifi has limits that Verizon’s network can fill. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a hardware subsidy, but I don’t see it being a Kinde-esque free Whispernet sort of deal - I think you’re gonna have to pay for it.
But if the theory is that most laptop use is web browsing, reading, email, and video, then a lightweight, slate-like tablet with a 10-12” touchscreen interface and a notebook GPU can cover all of that while still getting pretty stellar battery life. Add in an app store and enough SSD storage and you’ve got a very groundbreaking product on your hands. I think if that’s what they come out with, and it’s $599 or lower, they’ll fire a significant shot across the netbook bow. It’ll essentially be the best of both the laptop and iphone worlds (minus the phone part) without having to deal with the tiny screens and tinier keyboards that netbooks require. Change the form factor and you can change the whole experience for the positive.
