Verizon to Offer Palm Pre, Updated Blackberry Storm

The much-anticipated Palm pre may be exclusive to Sprint at launch, but as soon as that window closes Verizon Wireless will be hawking Palm's iPhone competitor.

Struggling mobile operator Sprint managed to land a six-month window of exclusivity for the much-anticipated Palm pre smartphone, but it looks like the competition is already looking to burst Sprint’s brief bubble of happiness. According to Reuters, Verizon Wireless is lined up to begin selling the Palm pre as soon as Sprint’s window of exclusivity ends six months after the Palm pre is introduced. Verizon Wireless will also be offering a new version of the BlackBerry Storm smartphone, widely believed to be the Storm 2.

Verizon Wireless is also promising a wide range of phones from other vendors, including a new BlackBerry “Tour,” and Android-based handsets.

Earlier this week, AT&T CEO Randall Stevenson also indicated his company would like to get a line on the Palm pre once Sprint’s exclusivity expires; however, AT&T uses a separate network technology from Verizon or Sprint. Stevenson offered no timeframe for his company’s plans.

The Palm pre is set to go on sale June 6, 2009. Both Palm have Sprint have indicated the expect the devices will be in short supply at launch.