Verizon to Preview New Android Devices, Not iPhone at CES?

An announcement by Verizon detailing their CES 2011 news conference as a "sneak peek of Android-based 4G LTE" devices has generated speculation that Verizon won't be talking about a Verizon iPhone during this year's CES show.

To be clear, however, Verizon's afternoon news conference has been known as an Android event. It was the Verizon CEO keynote speech scheduled on the morning of Thursday, January 6th that has been seen as a possible announcement venue.

The reason for all the speculation is that the timing of CES corresponds to many of the growing rumors that a Verizon iPhone will finally launch in early 2011. While we've heard these same rumors for years, the reports have been growing louder and more frequent. Most rumors point to the first quarter of 2011 as the launch of the Verizon iPhone. It would be unusual, however, for Apple to allow another company make such a significant announcement. Apple typically holds its own press event in January/February. Last year, Apple introduced the iPad in January. A Verizon iPhone announcement might make more sense alongside the rumored iPad 2, which is also rumored to support Verizon's CDMA network.