No Apple Superbowl ad after all

Many Apple rumor sites, including AppleInsider, were reporting that Apple would air a superbowl commercial for a possible Beatles announcement. CNN had actually refuted this reported, but the rumor sites didn't have anything further to say. Since Macworld, Apple's only real (not fake) announcement was that they were offering iPod Shuffle 2G's in multiple colors. The rumor mill expects the iPhone to possible arrive sooner than the June deadline. This would seem to be in both companies interests to capitalize on the large press and buzz generated from Macworld. Apple might use this to their advantage to try to extract any other points from Cingular/AT&T in the mean time. From Verizon's last press release Apple wanted a cut of the monthly subscriber revenue. Cingular/AT&T responded and essentially admitted that Apple was getting a cut of the monthly subscriber revenue. They tried to hide this by saying they weren't sharing any revenue from iTunes sales, but the Verizon announcement was actually talking sharing revenue from the monthly subcription revenue from subscribers for cellular service.

Report states the Verizon passed on iPhone

USAToday is reporting some more details about Apple and the iPhone. They mention some interesting terms and conditions that most likely Cingular/AT&T agreed to at least in part if not completely. While previously Cingular/AT&T stated that they didn't bend, but that they made Apple bend, this report would seem to indicate otherwise.

Verizon states that Apple was looking for control of distribution and service/repair of the iPhone. This makes sense since they made and designed the phone so they want to sell and support the phone. This isn't how the cell phone business generally works, much to the annoyance of cell phone makers such as Nokia and Motorola. In general the carrier dictates full control over the phone that is made by the manufacturer. As such Verizon is righteously angered at Apple's request stating, "They would have been stepping in between us and our customers to the point where we would have almost had to take a back seat … on hardware and service support." I guess old habits die hard.

Whats most interesting is what is mentioned least in the article. Apple wanted a cut of the monthly cell phone bill from Verizon. This would be a good incentive for Cingular/AT&T to give Apple. Given that Apple won't be letting people install VOIP, IM, iTunes as ringtones on the iPhone it sounds like they probably have received this offer (or that they are using this leaked press release to try to get it).

The final thing that is interesting in this article, is that if Apple was talking to Verizon that means that a CDMA version of the iPhone could exist. Because of the deal with Cingular (until 2009 by other reports) we probably won't see a CDMA version in the US until after that time. That is of course assuming that any clauses that allow Apple out of their Cingular/AT&T contract aren't broken.

Likely Beatles announcement 2/4/07 from Apple Inc

The rumors seem practically verified now. Apple Inc will discuss and upcoming superbowl commercial February 4th. As before rumors indicate that Apple will have an exclusive on the Beatles on iTunes for three months (including their new CD 'Love') and that this exclusive will delay the release of the CD. While all of the Beatles content may not make it onto iTunes, whatever is slated to be available will be heavily promoted via the superbowl commercial.

Apple and Apple together at last

Rumors had it previously that after the Beatles record company (Apple Records) lost to what is now Apple Inc., they started to pursue a music distribution deal. One of the supposed sticking points was the length of time the Beatles would be exclusive to Apple. New rumors posted by AppleInsider point to a 3 month exlclusive, as well as Beatles commercials ala U2 for Apple. This rumor is supported by Steve Jobs keynote where many Beatles songs and album covers were shown. The Apple TV presentation even had a label called "My Beatlesmania" that Jobs skipped over.