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AT&T and Verizon network for Apple’s tablet?
Apple's (AAPL) latest tablet PC that is expected to be unveiled on Jan. 27 in San Francisco will run on both Verizon Wireless and AT&T 3G networks, according to the circulating industry reports on Friday.
by Priyanka - January 23, 2010 - comments
Apple is in talks with both the networks, but so far no concrete information is available on whether some kind of deal has been signed or not.
According to an unnamed Verizon source, Apple’s tablet will be offering Wi-Fi connectivity and also free Wi-Fi at all Verizon hotspots. The company did not provide any details about how much its service will cost customers.
Even AT&T refused to divulge any details, but is claiming that its network is in better position than Verizon’s to handle heavy wireless data usage.
Apple’s decision to have more carriers good for business
According to an analyst, Jack Gold at J. Gold Associates, this decision by Apple to have more carriers for its tablet PC is quite sensible and profitable business-wise. This approach will increase its network’s reach and tablets sales.
"Apple would be nuts to not have as many carriers as possible," Gold said. Both Verizon and AT&T have over 80 million customers nationwide.
Gold also thinks that there are chances of Apple wanting its tablet to work well with Verizon’s network so it can run as far away from AT&T as possible. AT&T network had held exclusivity on Apple’s iPhone and had ended up making users unhappy with its services.
Apple wants its tablet used by everyone
There’s no doubt about Apple’s intention to change the way news, television and books etc. are distributed on devices and the company will try to bring about this change via its soon-to-be released tablet.
At least that’s what a recent Wall Street Journal article suggests by citing several so-called anonymous sources “familiar with the situation.”
Reportedly, Apple is in talks with several television networks as well as magazine, newspaper, book publishers and game publisher EA for quite some time now to provide maximum content on its tablet.
Apple’s supposed vision for its tablet is that there should be at least one tablet in every home so family member can quickly access e-mails or read newspaper.
Tablet will sport a virtual keyboard and could also have virtual sticky notes to leave messages for other family members. However it’s still too early to say which features will make it to the final product.