Well, there’s the answer that we knew were coming. When asked if the iPhone on Verizon would support simulanous voice and data, Tim Cook of Apple responds:

I think people place different emphasis on things — I can tell you that the number one question I’ve gotten is when will the iPhone work on Verizon. I couldn’t be happier to tell people that. They will make those sorts of tradeoffs.

There you have it. If you’re on a call on Verizon and want to check your email or browse the web by using your speakerphone of a Bluetooth headset, it’s impossible unless you’re within reach of WiFi. But it’s always been that on on Verizon (and Sprint too), because CDMA networks don’t allow simultaneous voice and data. That’s one of the main reasons why I use AT&T as carrier…my ADD drives me to want to multitask when using my smartphone, so often I’m checking my email while talking to someone (don’t tell my mother!).

Verizon’s LTE technology will eventually allow voice and data at the same time. The first generation of devices will do voice over 3G and data over 4G, which will be nice. But the iPhone is using only 3G from Verizon, and so it’s subject to the same limitations, as, say, the Motorola Droids.

But how big of a downside is this to the Verizon iPhone? As Tim Cook points out, he thinks the advantage of having the iPhone on Verizon–that of reliability that current iPhone users might not experience on AT&T–is well worth the trade off of not being about to talk and browse at the same time.

So for me, it’s a deal breaker. But for others, maybe not so much. We’re curious how important simultaneous voice and data is to you. Vote in the poll below and let us know what you think!

Image via: Engadget