Hasta La Gadget!

Here’s the wildest iPhone rumor we’ve heard in a while. According to BusinessWeek, two sources “familiar with the matter” say Apple and Verizon are working to offer two new iPhone-like devices: a smaller, less-expensive calling device (perhaps an “iPhone lite”), and a higher-end, unnamed media pad, which can place calls over Wi-Fi, display photos, and play music as well as high-definition video.

When will we see these? One of the devices might come as soon as summer, one source told BusinessWeek.

As always, take rumors with a grain of salt, folks. We doubt either of these products will be available for Verizon customers this year. Verizon’s CEO said just two weeks ago that Apple would be more likely to partner up with Verizon when the fourth-generation Long Term Evolution networks start rolling out in 2010. And Apple last week implied it was planning to stick with AT&T as its exclusive partner.

However, we’re not ruling out that there are two new devices. ArsTechnica last month reported that a system configuration file made references to two new iPhone models. Could these be the new iPhone models?

Let’s keep in mind if these two rumored products are indeed real, we won’t necessarily have to wait for Apple to buddy up with Verizon. Apple would likely offer the same phones through AT&T — so yes, we might see one as soon as summer, but we don’t believe it’d be on the Verizon network.

See Also:

• Verizon iPhone Could Be Here Next Year
• Apple: We’re Sticking With AT&T for the iPhone
• 4 Reasons Apple Should Share the iPhone With Verizon
• Verizon Turned Apple iPhone Down

New Gear from Apple and Verizon Wireless? [BusinessWeek]

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com