It took nearly four years, but better late than never.

This week's biggest financial news has to be that Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) trendsetting iPhone is coming to Verizon Wireless.

"It's about time" may be the collective cheer from Verizon (NYSE: VZ) customers or iPhone owners frustrated with AT&T (NYSE: T), but at least one iconic tech writer thinks that it's too late.

"Apple's phone would have snuffed out the Android a year ago, but now Google's device has become an unstoppable juggernaut," writes Newsweek's Daniel Lyons.

Lyons is well known as the master architect of the hilarious Fake Steve Jobs persona a few years ago, but he's off the mark if he's serious this time.

It wouldn't have mattered if the iPhone had been available through Verizon -- or all of the smaller wireless carriers --  since its 2007 launch. There still would have been a huge market for Google's (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android.

After all, what would Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI) and the other handset makers be doing right now? Twiddling their thumbs as Apple corners the market?

The beauty of Android is that it's a free platform. Any handset maker can build on the mobile operating system, cranking out cost-effective smartphones across all wireless carriers.

The downside, of course, is the perpetual obsolescence. The moment one buys the latest Android gadgetry, it's simply a matter of days or weeks before something better comes along. 

The upside, of course, is also the perpetual obsolescence. Android phones evolve quickly, making sure that Apple never rests on its laurels.

Is that so bad? This will never be a "winner takes all" market.

Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) has amassed an army of 55 million active BlackBerry owners. Apple and Android have tens of millions of smartphone owners apiece. There's clearly enough market to go around.

Apple doesn't have to fear Android. It only needs to respect its competitor. At the end of the day, Apple doesn't even need a gargantuan slice of the market. The company will make far more money on the iPhone than Google will with its eventually larger Android base.

Shaking AT&T exclusivity will be a major boost to Apple's user base, but it wasn't what made Android popular with handset makers, carriers, and ultimately consumers.

Do you think it's too late for the Verizon iPhone? Share your thoughts in the comments box below. And if you'd like to follow the Fool's coverage of Apple, Google, Verizon, or any other stock, just add it to My Watchlist, our free stock-tracking service.