With Google as Partner, Verizon May Not Need iPhone - NYTimes.com

Looks like Apple and AT&T might need something more than just free iPhone 4 rubber bumpers

Despite the pull of the iPhone, Verizon has managed to steadily increase its share of the smartphone market, to 26 percent in May, from 20 percent in late 2008. In the same period, AT&T’s market share slipped to 40 percent, from around 45 percent, according to comScore. Those numbers do not take into account the impact of the popular iPhone 4, released last month.

Before the original iPhone’s debut, AT&T and Apple signed a five-year exclusive deal that is due to expire in 2012, according to court documents that emerged in a class-action lawsuit against Apple. Only insiders know whether that agreement has been amended.

With Google as Partner, Verizon May Not Need iPhone - NYTimes.com