Verizon Begins Shipping Of New iPhone

Existing Verizon customers wanting to order the new iPhone 4 got their wish this week, when Verizon began shipping the highly anticipated phone today.

The official launch date is set for next Thursday, February 10, but the mobile provider began taking orders today, some subscribers having already received notice that their orders have shipped.

There is speculation on whether the phones already confirmed to have shipped will actually reach customers before the scheduled launch date.

With a previous Apple product release, shipments were detained at the UPS hub in Louisville, Kentucky to insure delivery on the scheduled release date.

When attempting to order the iPhone 4 via the Verizon website, some customers received an error message.

Similar problems occurred with release of other updated versions of Apple smartphones.

Pre-orders will be open to all qualified customers starting February 9 and will be offered at both Verizon and Apple retail locations on the 10th.