Verizon iSomething

The Wall Street Journal has predicted that a Verizon iPhone will be announced Tuesday Jan 11th.  Invitations have been distributed to the media for an event to be held in New York, with no specific information divulging the specifics of what will be announced.  Additionally, there have been reports of vacation bans at both Verizon and Apple retail stores that overlap.  Hmmm...

The idea of a Verizon iPhone is new to no-one, and many have for years dreamed of the day of holding an iPhone free of chains from the AT&T network.  That day may be at hand.

However, there's also been lots of recent talk and rumors about the release of a second generation iPad, which is also expected in the very near future. Some have predicted a release in April 2011, fitting with Apple's tendency to refresh products with annual timing (iPad originally went on sale in April 2010).

So, while WSJ reporting is likely accurate, I've got a more selfish hope for Tuesday.  Perhaps Verizon will, instead of announcing an iPhone (which will undoubtedly happen at some point) on the Verizon network, will instead announce the second generation iPad, with exclusive US wireless broadband service on the Verizon network.

Personally, I never invested in the original iPad - timing of excess available cash mostly.  But, with the impending release of iPad 2, I'm getting close.  Additionally, I'd rather put my monthly $$ into data for an iPad than service for an iPhone.

So, WSJ's reporting may be absolutely accurate, but I'm still hoping for a Verizon-exclusive iPad 2.  Even if I'm wrong, it sure will be fun to watch the mass exodus from AT&T once Verizon has the iPhone.