We've all been waiting for a company to launch a phone to compete with Apple's (NASDDAQ: AAPL) iPhone, and now Verizon Wireless claims to have done just that. Not only does the Verizon Voyager by LG have faster wireless web access, but it also has a keyboard (the phone flips open via a hinge to reveal the full keyboard).
If those two nuances aren't enough to get consumers to rethink a future iPhone purchase, the service behind the Voyager might. One of the biggest problems with the iPhone from a customer satisfaction standpoint is the fact that users are forced to use AT&T (NYSE: T) as their wireless service provider. As you might expect, that's not the case with the Verizon Voyager. Verizon Wireless has a better reputation overall in terms of service then AT&T, which should help Verizon steal some market share from Apple.
Verizon certainly doesn't have a reputation of being first to market, and Apple's iPhone is certainly a pioneer brand. However, Verizon plans to price the Voyager in the $100 to $400 range (the iPhone is currently $399) to attract a different target audience. The company is being coy with the details, but it should be interesting to see who comes out the winner in the holiday sales season push.
What do you think? Should Apple be worried? Does Verizon Wireless stand a chance of stealing considerable market share from the iPhone?
You can read more about the Verizon Voyager phone from Know More Media's network of business bloggers here and here.
I think if Verizon markets the phone well, it could give the Apple a run for their money.
Posted by: JS | October 3, 2007 5:36 PM | Permalink to Comment