We were musing yesterday over the possibility of Verizon talking with Apple regarding carrying the iPhone once the AT&T exclusivity contract runs out, though one or two analysts are now suggesting it might not be as simple as all that.

The problem here isn’t exclusivity agreements, but technological compatibility. Verizon would apparently require a device that operates on a CMDA as opposed to GSM. Adapting the hardware would conflict harshly with Apple’s concept of unified manufacturing, and while it doesn’t rule out a Verizon iPhone, it might suggest the partnership will involve alternative devices.

“The media pad category might go to Verizon,” an insider tells Business Week. “We are talking about a device where people will say, 'Damn, why didn't we do this?' Apple is probably going to define the damn category.”

The concept of a netbook/tablet hybrid has been circulating in the computing industry for a couple of months now, and looks set to be the next big thing in portable, connected computing - possibly with Apple leading the way in this new market, too.