People expect iPhone 5 and don’t go to Apple stores for Verizon iPhone

As Verizon launched its iPhone there have been not too many customers who expressed their wish to purchase the phone. Some observers believe that short lines in Apple stores are explained by the fact that people are waiting for iPhone 5.

Harry McCracken on Technologizer.com says:

I went to my local Apple Store [Friday] night, in the wake of yesterday’s release of the Verizon iPhone 4. ... I commented on the lack of Verizon-induced insanity to a salesguy. “We’re surprised ourselves,” he said. ... There are supposed to be hordes of folks willing to show up at the crack of dawn and wait for hours. ... Everybody knows that. But this time, it didn’t happen. ... Why the startling degree of normalcy? A few theories...
...
People are waiting for the iPhone 5. ... You might decide to bide your time just a few months more to see what Apple releases this summer. ... The years of buildup to the release of the Verizon iPhone 4 make a wait of just a few months more ... seem like nothing.

Meantime Scot Finnie on Computerworld.com also adds:

For one thing, the next version of the iPhone is expected to be released this year (probably this summer). ... And there are more issues. The Verizon iPhone doesn't support voice and data operations simultaneously. Plus, competition from Android-based smartphones is fierce, and they're evolving rapidly.
...
The newest version of the iPhone 4 is slightly improved because of its antenna design, and you're going to love the connection strength and reliability. If you've been hankering for an iPhone but have refused to go with AT&T -- and don't want to wait for the upcoming iPhone 5 -- the Verizon iPhone 4 is the clear choice.

However, some other observers believe that the reason is that most consumers have preordered their Verizon phones to avoid standing in queues. They also point out to the statement made by Verizon which said that February 3 was the "most successful first day sales in the history of the company."