Verizon Androids To Lead CES 4G Push?
After Verizon’s CTIA Press Conference announcing details of their 4G plan, including immediate coverage later this year of 110+ million Americans in 38+ cities and 55+ airports, the company held a secondary event for press/media only. In his Keynote, Lowell McAdam mentioned they would have 6 or so 4G devices on display. Of course what WE want to know is how many of them will have Android?
The answer? Likely a lot of them. McAdam subtly mentioned that Eric Schmidt would be joining him on stage at CES in January 2010, something that is not reflected on the CES Keynotes page. It’s probably not a secret that Android would lead Big Red’s 4G charge, but with a joint Keynote presentation at the world’s largest Consumer Electronics event… I’m incredibly excited to see what Droid Does Next, in 4G.
Although I couldn’t get in a question during the Q&A, I asked afterwards a question for which I’m extremely curious:
“How rapidly will Verizon’s portfolio adopt 4G devices – particularly in regards to Android? What percentage of new Android Phones will launch with 4G?”
I was met with a “it’s a bit too premature to discuss this,” suggesting that more details would be available at CES. I think it was a fair question for two main and huge reasons:
- If Verizon already knows how many Americans they’ll cover with 4G by the year 2013, and they know how many devices they’ll have on exhibit at CES, then they know a lot more about the product road map than they’re letting on. These phones take a long time to plan… but I guess you have to respect the PR machine (unless tipsters out there want to send us some anonymous love).
- While 4G is a great asset, it also has the opportunity to be divisive. Just as the current question for Android phones are, “yeah but does it have Froyo?” a secondary question could easily become, “yeah but does it have 4G?” if Verizon picks and chooses which Android devices they stuff with turbo juice. Also, in regards to their mention of 4G’s impact on gaming, we’d like to ask the question “yeah but can it run crysis?”
Several questions were also geared towards the iPhone, to which the answer seemed to indicate it will eventually come to Verizon, but Apple is waiting, and they’ll make the announcement when that happens. No, he didn’t say this exactly, but by his tone and body language that is what I personally gathered – but it is merely my own speculation.
But will the Verizon iPhone launch with LTE as speculated in early 2011? With Eric Schmidt on stage I’m doubting that will be the case. And with contractual obligations you never know what is going on behind the scenes. When and if a Verizon 4G iPhone launches, it will be interesting to see how it coexists with Android on the company’s lineup… both in terms of how they pitch it and how consumers perceive the differences.
The next 6 months in tech are going to be anything but sleepy. But hey- I guess that’s always the case. On with more CTIA!
PS: In the pic, his eyes are closed because he is distraught about getting asked another iPhone question ;)