BusinessWeek reports that Apple is stepping into the Verizon-AT&T spat with two new ads to be released tonight touting the iPhone's ability to handle voice and data connections simultaneously via 3G. That ability has been featured as one of AT&T's talking points to differentiate itself from Verizon's 3G network in an attempt to counter Verizon's ads attacking AT&T's 3G network coverage.
The ads can't help but be viewed against the backdrop of the fight between Verizon Wireless and Apple's partner AT&T, the one that's spawned a lawsuit for Verizon's "There's A Map For That" TV spots. Here we see Apple doing its part as both a good AT&T partner, and touting a great feature of the iPhone all at once.
AT&T filed suit earlier this month over what it calls "blatantly false and misleading" advertising messages from Verizon, but Verizon quickly refuted the charges, noting pithily that "the truth hurts." A federal judge has denied AT&T's request for a temporary restraining order preventing Verizon's ads from being shown, but the full case will proceed beginning December 16th.
