Verizon Wireless and Apple Inc. have officially announced that Verizon Wireless will soon be carrying the Apple iPhone 4.

After years of demand, and a year of heavy rumor-swapping in 2010, the long-awaited Verizon iPhone is a reality.

Not much is known about the device yet, but given the remarks and answers provided by Verizon and Apple leadership, this iteration of the iPhone is nearly identical to the iPhone 4 on AT&T, with the change coming from adding the CDMA chipsets to the device to function on Verizon’s network.  The most popular features of the iPhone 4, including Facetime, will be included in this device.  Verizon also stated that the device would include mobile hotspot of up to five connections.

The phone will be available for pre-order online on February 3rd, and available in stores, online, or over the phone on February 10.

Expect further coverage as details become available.

At the time of this article, we are a day away from Verizon Wireless announcing their first 4G phones.  Speculation has run wild in the last year concerning an Apple iPhone coming to Verizon in early 2011.  Everyone, media-wise, seems to have input on the issue, and has for some time (with a poor track record of success).  The inevitability of an iPhone for Verizon is indisputable.  Everything else about it, however, is.

Verizon Wireless announced today that they will be selling the Apple iPad starting October 28.

Verizon was once rumored to be the intended target for the iPad 3G in June of this year, though like most rumors concerning Verizon and Apple, reality was far different.

There’s a lot of speculation about a meeting on Sunday, June 27. Apparently all employees are required to attend. You can read about it on Boy Genius Report.

Let me tell you what I DO know:

The meeting is a kickoff launch of the DroidX, and advertising surrounding it.

So far, not EVERY employee is required to attend.

Each area is managed semi-locally in regions.  Each region is holding it’s own meeting.

This meeting does not appear to be for customer care, B2B, indirect, network, or any other department other than retail - a sign that it’s not a huge company announcement.

The truth of the matter is, love it or hate it, the iPhone by Apple is an industry powerhouse.  Since before it’s inception, people have been murmuring about the possibility of Apple making a phone, and the rumors almost always included Verizon Wireless.  Many were befuddled when Apple inked exclusivity with AT&T for the 2007 iPhone release.  Soon after, word came out that Verizon had been given first dibs on the device, and passed it by for ego business reasons.  Whatever reasons prompted Verizon to pass on the device have long since changed, I’m sure.