Rumors have began to surface that apple will launch a new “Worldwide” Iphone as sometime in Q3 2010. Although Qualcomm is currently in process of making a “Universal Phone Card”, which will use both W-CDMA/CDMA2000 technology (used by VZW and Sprint) and UMTS/HSPA+ technology (used by AT&T and T-Mobile). For more on the rumors click here.
Qualcomm has stated though that,”This technology will not be possible until the later half (Q3) of 2010.” Which considering they would need to field test the product, the technology probably will not be publicly available until 2011. Once that technology is available though, Apple has already stated,”We will fully utilize the technology available to us.” Which can lead us to conclude they would finally come out with a “Worldwide” Iphone.
In the meantime though two Apple sources have already been confirmed to say that Apple is currently working on a “Worldmode” phone.
In the meantime though there are a couple barriers keeping Apple from coming out with a strictly W-CDMA/CDMA2000(VRZ) phone.
Apple still has a contract with AT&T, this contract expires in 2010. Apple has already stated that it would be interested in pursuing a non-exclusive contract with both AT&T and Verizon after its contract is up.
The second barrier could also disappear were Apple to build a new iPhone that is compatible with both AT&T and Verizon’s networks.
So the question is,”When could this phone début?” According to some sources the optimal time of a release (which according to some sources Apple is already researching) would be Q2-Q3 of 2010, or summer of 2′10.
As a Verizon slave.. uh I mean customer, and an avid Apple fan I can’t wait until the new Iphone is released for Verizon. But for now I will just have to keep salivating over forums.. and waiting for 2012.
