Contrasting iPhone ads by AT&T and Apple today

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Interesting contrast in Ads for the iPhone today.

In the Chicago Tribune, AT&T took out a full-page ad for the iPhone simply stating in very large font 'talk and surf at the same time'.

During the Bears/Packers game, Apple ran a commercial with two iPhones side-by-side accessing a series of applications at the same time. The commercial ends with both AT&T and Verizon logos and the tagline 'two is better than one'.  Notably, they don't show both iPhones making a call while using an application or surfing the web since only AT&T's iPhone can do that.

Unfortunately, most consumers won't understand that while Verizon is heavily promoting their '4G LTE network', the iPhone they are initially bringing to market only runs on their older CDMA network. Unlike AT&T's 3G network, which is based on GSM technology, Verizon's CDMA network doesn't support simultaneous voice and data.  This means users can either use data or place phone calls, but can't do both at the same time.

No doubt, Verizon will sell millions of iPhones. I can't help but wonder how many of them will be returned when people figure out that they can't make phone calls and browse the web or use applications like Google Maps while on a call like all their friends with AT&T iPhones can.

I'm surprised Verizon didn't wait until they could bring an LTE-based iPhone to market (availability date currently unknown). Then the focus would be on Verizon's claims of having a better voice and data network than AT&T, thus bringing iPhone users a better user experience. Instead, Verizon finds themselves having to defend putting an inferior user experience into the hands of their customers.

For months I've heard disgruntled AT&T iPhone users talk of rushing to Verizon when AT&T's exclusivity expired. I certainly hope they don't spend money breaking contracts without understanding what they are in for.  First, they'll have to buy a new Verizon iPhone as their current AT&T iPhone won't work with Verizon's network.  Then, they'll realize they can't do simultaneous voice and data with their new Verizon iPhone for the foreseeable future. Finally, they'll have to buy yet another iPhone when Apple and Verizon eventually bring out the LTE iPhone.

Given Apple's singular focus on user experience, I'm a little surprised they are complicit in bringing a CDMA iPhone to Verizon.  Of course, 'two is better than one' if you are counting iPhone unit sales.

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