Verizon iPhone Launch On Tuesday

In the flurry of product announcements here at the Consumer Electronics Show, Verizon Wireless sent out invitations for a Tuesday, Jan. 11 press event in New York.

The natural conclusion was that Verizon was finally unveiling its version of the iPhone, but that's everyone's favorite rumor. Could it finally be happening? There were suggestions that Verizon might unveil a tablet, but based on several reports, it appears that Tuesday will finally be the day that Apple makes many Verizon customers very happy.

First up, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that Verizon has "finally landed the iPhone" and would unveil it on Tuesday, citing a source "familiar with the matter." The Journal did not have details on when it might hit stores, but Boy Genius Report said all signs point to Feb. 3.

"BGR has confirmed with a source close to Apple that the company has blacked out employee vacation requests between February 3rd and February 6th — Thursday through Sunday," the blog reported. As BGR pointed out, Apple blocked off a four-day period beginning on a Thursday last June for its iPhone 4 launch.

Perhaps one of the more compelling arguments for Tuesday being an Apple-related event - at least for those in the tech journalism space - is that Gizmodo has not been invited to Tuesday's event. Many of you might remember that Gizmodo was the blog that purchased the lost iPhone 4 prototype and immediately published photos, videos, and any other details it could about the device. The move got Gizmodo tons of traffic, but also led to an Apple ban.

Gizmodo claims that it has a good relationship with Verizon Wireless, so a pure Verizon snub doesn't make sense.

"We're great friends with Verizon. (Hi guys!) We've worked with them for years, and we've been to like every event they've had over the last three years. We haven't gotten an invite," Gizmodo wrote. "The only reason we can think of is that it's an Apple event, and Steve doesn't want us there. You know the story."

Verizon gave Gizmodo a "no comment," the blog said.

As Gizmodo also pointed out, Loop Insight's Jim Dalrymple received an invite, and he only writes about Apple. "I don't typically get invites directly from Verizon to anything," he wrote. "Would Verizon send me such an invite unless it was specially about Apple?"

Verizon has already had a busy week. It was here at CES to unveil 10 upcoming 4G LTE devices, including four Android-based smartphones.

At any rate, Tuesday's event it taking place at 11am at New York's Lincoln Center. PCMag mobile analyst Sascha Segan will be in attendance, so check back here for more details.