MattSnodBlog

There's an app for that? There's a map for that? How about, there's a word for that ... regret. If you've spent any time in front of a TV or computer over the last month, you've by now seen Verizon's anti-AT&T ads, "There's a map for that." It's actually very well done, to-the-point, and effective in highlighting AT&T's 3G coverage shortcomings.

However, an unintended result of this may be angering AT&T to the point that they bend Apple's ear (and wallet) next year into maintaining their exclusivity deal. Let's face it, Verizon has the better network (both data and voice), but what they don't have is the better device, namely the iPhone. Since they couldn't (and presumably can't) win on the device front, they decided to attack their competitor on the service front. In doing so, they may be sabotaging any plans they have to get the iPhone on their network in Q3 of 2010 when AT&T's exclusivity with Apple is up.

AT&T is already angry enough at the (very effective) ads that they're suing Verizon. (Excerpt: How dare you point out that our network sucks!) I think they might become so put off by these ads that they'll back up a couple of truckloads of cash to 1 Infinite Loop to ensure Apple retains its exclusivity with them.

Seemingly, Verizon -- who never before went all-out with attack ads -- is banking on the Droid being an iPhone killer (or denter?). But while initial reports are pretty good on the Droid, the latest ones have been pointing more towards flaws in its design. An iPhone killer it ain't. I believe the iPhone killer will be ... an iPhone. Verizon will need to be sure it doesn't just win this battle but make headway in the war.