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Verizon iPhone: iTunes store vs. VCast store

Verizon iPhone: iTunes store vs. VCast store

By: Peter Chubb | October 10, 2009 | 4 Comments

We must all be getting tired of wondering how long it will be before the AT&T exclusivity with the Apple iPhone ends. We know that it comes up for review in 2010, and many hope that Verizon Wireless will get the nod. There is a problem with that though, we reveled in a recent post that Verizon would rather use its VCast Store instead of iTunes; this is one of the reasons that has been holding a Verizon iPhone back.

The Vcast application store will work much the same was as Apple’s iTunes, by allowing developers a simple way to distribute application to Verizon users. Often in the past, Verizon were guilty of restricting devices as well as blocking applications on its phones, but they now understand that the cell phone industry has changed, but have they.

The problem is, yes we all what a Verizon iPhone but at what cost. If Verizon were to offer the iPhone to its customers, then they will want to ditch iTunes and offer up VCast to its users instead. This will create confusion for Apple, as they would have AT&T fully backing iTunes and Verizon backing its VCast store.

This would certainly create a headache for Apple, as they will have even more vetting to do as more apps come in, but on to different application stores. It is for this reason that we will not see a Verizon iPhone any time soon.

If there were an iPhone on Verizon, would you want your apps from Apple iTunes of the VCast Store?

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  • Michael Harris

    Verizon has the network, but Apple has the phone and the app store. Verizon needs to wake up to the reality of their role!

  • Dave Cottrell

    .. Its de ja vue all over again…. Verizon STILL has its head where the sun doesn’t shine, insisting that it knows better than everybody else. I use both the iTunes interface and V-Cast and while neither is perfect, the iTunes is much easier to use and more capable. One would think that with the iPhone being a license to print money, that Verizon would STOP putting conditions on Apple and just say “OK, Let me sell the thing and get rich”.

    My problem is that Verizon is the only network that works within 60 miles of where I live. I tried an iPhone for one day and NO coverage, so I returned it. Looks like I’m screwed…

  • annonymous_man

    I’d want Apple’s App Store to work with an iPhone even on Verizon Wireless (that’s a no-brainer it doesn’t matter which carrier the phone is on would prefer Verizon as they have better service than AT&T but even then would like to be able to use the Wifi based iTunes Store and the Apple App Store over VCast Music and the VCast App Store.

  • manpan

    Annonymous_man here again (sorry for the double post and for using another username)

    I wanted to add until the iPhone comes to Verizon Wireless with iTunes Store and App Store integration will in the meantime stick with my iPod Touch. One place where other mobile companies is lacking is in offering effective iPod Touch rivals.

    Sure Palm has the Pre smartphone with their new Web OS (of course that is unfortunately restricted to Sprint) just as iPhone is unfortunately restricted to AT&T, at least Apple has iPod Touch though for users not wanting to switch wireless carriers but have an iPhone like device minus the phone features.

    Where is Palm’s iPod Touch rival? Where is Microsoft’s Windows Mobile based iPod Touch rival? They have Zune HD but that won’t work with apps from their new Windows Mobile App Marketplace. Where are the Google Android based iPod Touch rivals? I’ve heard some might come eventually — until then will stick with iPod.

    Of course I use Mac OS X and whatever device I get will have to be compatible with my Mac. I’ve used iTunes for Mac and Windows. However, I’ve synced my existing iPod Touch and past iPods with Macs. I even sync my Apple TV with my Mac Mini.

    I have a new MacBook Pro with Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard preinstalled on which I am typing up this post.