But if the argument is that there are 80,000 applications on the iPhone as a selling point, it’s like saying that New York has millions of residents, it must be a great place to live (I personally like NY). Look at the Windows operating system running on PC’s, the most valuable applications (i.e. apps) are no more than one hundred or maybe a few hundred at most – Word processing, Spreadsheets, Database, Graphics, Browsers, etc. Most categories contain only about three of four well know, and well received apps. And finally, the applications on the iPhone are making money for Apple and not AT&T, so how would that benefit Verizon? It is in Verizon’s interest to allow the market to mature and for strong competitors to arise to challenge the iPhone before they give the iPhone access to their network. In the long run, Apple will need Verizon much more than Verizon will ever need Apple. So whatever agreement Verizon signs should be to Verizon’s advantage – after all, it is their network.

I wonder how many people (and analysts) would like the iPhone to be on Verizon’s network simply because they own stocks in Apple? Or argue that the iPhone should come to Verizon’s network because they are a Verizon customer and want to buy the iPhone. I can understand their sentiments, but the question is – what is good for Verizon? Last quarter, Verizon added more subscribers – I think they are doing pretty well; and soon should do much better because of the Palm Pre and Android smart phones being introduced on their (Verizon’s) network.