Normally, any tech rumor story I find floating on the web comes bundled with a huge grain of salt, but today, the rumblings of the possible expiration of AT&T’s exclusivity contract (PCWorld) with the game-changing iPhone has myself and the entire tech world buzzing.

At Apple’s special event this Wednesday in San Francisco, analysts, reporters, shareholders, and gadget fans are all patiently awaiting the release of Apple’s new venture into the tablet market. However, the strong rumor stealing the limelight is that the Cupertino-based electronics manufacturer may be announcing the end of its exclusivity arrangement with AT&T and the potential release of the iPhone on Verizon later this year.

This is clearly the right move at the right time for Apple, if they choose to do so. With Android increasing its market share with the number of mobile handsets, carriers, and mobile applications developed, it’s clear that Apple is feeling the heat from their neighbors in Mountain View. Opening up to other carriers, specifically Verizon, would be the smartest move to not only thwart Google’s advances but also address criticisms of AT&T’s wireless network by allowing consumers to have a choice.

With a reported 82.4 million subscribers in the U.S., AT&T Mobility is ranked number two, trailing behind Verizon Wireless and its 89 million subscribers. (Sprint and T-Mobile follow with 48 million and 38 million, respectively.) If Apple does announce that the iPhone will be available to Verizon’s 89 million subscribers, how will that impact the smartphone market as well as the battle for mobile app supremacy?

Expect the demand for iPhone developers to increase dramatically. Although some believe that the direction for investments in mobile apps have shifted from the seemingly oversaturated App Store to greener pastures, like Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and WebOS, the introduction of an iPhone on Verizon, the iPhone 4.0 software package, and the rumored new iSlate (or iPad, or whatever it may be called) will drive developers back to not only create new applications but to perform maintenance and upgrades on existing apps that have already been created.

This is for two reasons. One, with 89 million potential new customers, the number of apps downloaded will explode exponentially, causing many businesses and app creators to invest in updating their existing app for an entirely new audience. Two, the introduction of the new iSlate and iPhone 4.0 software platform will drive businesses and entrepreneurs to invest heavily in updating their application for maximum compatibility on the upcoming new device and platform.

Again, all of this should be taken with a huge grain of salt as it is still a rumor, albeit a juicy one at that. Some, like myself, believe this year to be the year of Android. Some analysts believe otherwise. Regardless, whatever comes out of the big Apple on Wednesday, the bottom line still remains: Mobile will be one of the biggest investments for businesses in 2010 and beyond. Just where exactly to invest is the lingering question.

And that answer to that question may be just around the corner.