Reviewer: David George Vequist IV, PhD

Verizon is attempting to keep its wireless market share even though the company doesn't have the hottest smartphone on the market (the iPhone is sold by rival AT&T). Verizon's CEO is trying to keep the company ahead by introducing new products and backing these new products with an unusually aggressive marketing campaign.

Verizon's new-product strategy is bold but risky. With the Droid (which has the Android OS from Google) and another phone from HTC (which has the Microsoft OS), Verizon is placing big bets on unproven systems. The Android software is popular with techies and has attracted enough support from developers that 10,000 apps are available for download to Android phones, but it hasn't yet caught on with consumers. There is also the possibility that Verizon could confuse customers with the sheer number of devices it's introducing.

In order to increase his chance of success, the CEO has Verizon experimenting with new marketing approaches. Verizon's success may ultimately depend on how the partnership with Google works out. As cell phones become more sophisticated computing devices, wireless companies need Silicon Valley firepower to compete.

1. If you were the CEO of Verizon, how would you try to compete with the iPhone? What kind of marketing would you use to win market share?
   
   
2. What advantages does Silicon Valley technology offer to wireless companies? What types of technologies do consumers want?

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