HTC Thunderbolt Release Date

[peterjariel]

Verizon Begins Training on the HTC Thunderbolt | Android Phone Fans

Its coming!!!!! I dont think I can wait for the Bionic.

 

[guitarchris123]

FWIW, This site says Release Date: January 31. Not sure how reputable the site is. But we can hope!

(1) That site does not look very reputable. (2) Verizon does not typically release phones on Mondays. (3) The Thunderbolt will NOT be released before the iPhone on 2/10 (I've said it before, and so have many others). It will be at least 3-5 weeks later (per Verizon's new 14-day return policy). VZW and Apple have obviously made a deal that the iPhone would have exclusivity in February as far as new phone releases go, releasing the TB first would really hurt iPhone sales and Verizon is clearly focused on its success right now. (4) Verizon has said that its first LTE phone will not be released until March AT THE EARLIEST. You just watch, March 17th will likely be the date (but I hope it will be a week or two earlier since I'm eligible to upgrade now).

I know everybody wants to believe the TB will come out before the iPhone, but it simply does not make sense if you think about it. (1) Get iPhone on VZW, (2) get first LTE phone on VZW (TB), (3) get first dual core phone on VZW (Bionic). In that order. If Android wants to beat Apple on VZW this year, they had to offer something that Apple couldn't (ie. let Apple release iPhone, then come out with phones that have LTE and dual core to try to beat it). Each has something better than the last, so their marketing department will have a great new campaign for each release. Why can't everyone see this? I'm sure HTC wanted to release the TB before the iPhone, but Apple trumped them since they are VZW's new cash cow (which kind of sucks because Andoird is what made them what they are today).

 

[Android1254]

HTC's CEO Peter Chou has a deal with Lowell McAdams which is he doesn't want the TB's release date to be "shadowed" by the release date of the iphone, meaning it won't be before, the idea of it coming on the 31st is bogus because of the 14 day return policy,
The XKXDISTURBEDXKX guy mentioned that he heard an htc rep talking with vzw reps about htc thunderbolt training which is now what's coming up, I went to my vzw store asking and talked to the manager (I have a good relationship with him) and asked him about the release date, he said late Febuary at the least and brought up the Lowell McAdams/Peter Chou thing and it really does make sense if you all think about it right?
Plus the commotion yesterday about the Comerica Theatre in Pheonix Arizona, it could maybe relate to the iphone or 4G however the iphone had its press conference so I think it would be about upcoming 4G devices, I'm NOT stating this as fact lol, just speculation but I think it all makes sense
Hope this helped

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[shortsxit]

FWIW, This site says Release Date: January 31. Not sure how reputable the site is. But we can hope!

(1) That site does not look very reputable. (2) Verizon does not typically release phones on Mondays. (3) The Thunderbolt will NOT be released before the iPhone on 2/10 (I've said it before, and so have many others). It will be at least 3-5 weeks later (per Verizon's new 14-day return policy). VZW and Apple have obviously made a deal that the iPhone would have exclusivity in February as far as new phone releases go, releasing the TB first would really hurt iPhone sales and Verizon is clearly focused on its success right now. (4) Verizon has said that its first LTE phone will not be released until March AT THE EARLIEST. You just watch, March 17th will likely be the date (but I hope it will be a week or two earlier since I'm eligible to upgrade now).

I know everybody wants to believe the TB will come out before the iPhone, but it simply does not make sense if you think about it. (1) Get iPhone on VZW, (2) get first LTE phone on VZW (TB), (3) get first dual core phone on VZW (Bionic). In that order. If Android wants to beat Apple on VZW this year, they had to offer something that Apple couldn't (ie. let Apple release iPhone, then come out with phones that have LTE and dual core to try to beat it). Each has something better than the last, so their marketing department will have a great new campaign for each release. Why can't everyone see this? I'm sure HTC wanted to release the TB before the iPhone, but Apple trumped them since they are VZW's new cash cow (which kind of sucks because Andoird is what made them what they are today).

You're making a lot of sense.

 

[Dark_Jedi]

In any case the TB will be the best.

 

[shortsxit]

Personally, I don't care if the iPhone makes it way out first, just as long as the Thunderbolt isn't that much further behind it.
All I'm worried about is getting ANYTHING new in my hand besides my current epic failure of a phone (iPhone 4).
Anyone who's gonna pick up an iphone on Big Red's network is in for a HUGE let down...
Just sayin'...

I'll probably pick up the iPhone, but thanks for the input.

That's cool...to each their own
Word on the street though, is that verizon wasn't going to allow data usage while on a call for their iPhones. Like for instance, right now with AT&T I can be on a call while texting, going on the Internet, etc...anyone else know about that rumor?
It's unfortunate that this phone has so much potential but Apple doesn't allow for any modifications besides using pics for home screen backgrounds and lock screen backgrounds. Sure, you can jailbreak to get more customization capabilities BUT even apple is cracking down on that...constantly changing and updating their firmware. You can choose not to upgrade and keep your phone jailbroken but then issues arise when you try to download new apps...it doesn't allow you due to the phone not being up to date with the latest firmware! It's just another way apple is trying to "stick it to the man" lol! Its so annoying!

It has nothing to do with Verizon. You would need an SVDO capable phone to get Voice/Data working on Verizon's network.

 

[shortsxit]

um...do you know this for fact? Or just speculation? If its only speculation I wouldn't put a "Period" at the end of that statement.

The Thunderbolt is not coming out before the iPhone. Period.
The Thunderbolt is not coming out in February. Period.

 

[guitarchris123]

Rumor: Thunderbolt and Samsung 4G LTE Device Will Launch Last Week of February - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

Training link:
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/01/18/htc-thunderolt-training-begins-at-verizon/


Hmmm. Now maybe we are looking at Feb 24 or March 3? That will give the iPhone a solid 2 or 3 weeks all to itself. And this would make sense with the recent training sessions on the Thunderbolt, why would VZW do them this far ahead of release time for the phone? I'm so confused now, I don't know what to think. I am still skeptical though, even though Droid-Life is very reputable. Fingers crossed for early release!

The article says "According to our sources, regional Verizon reps are confirming to their clients that the current schedule is to have both the unnamed Samsung 4G LTE device and the Thunderbolt out at the same time." That would make sense, because HTC apparently has backed off its original online ad campaign "First to 4G, again" (meaning on VZW), and is now saying "one of the first LTE phones on VZW." So looks like the HTC and Sammy will be out the same day!

Update - when the HTC Incredible was released, training started on 4/14/10 and the phone was released on 4/29/10. That might not mean much, so take it with a grain of salt. Just something to think about.

 

[Dark_Jedi]

I think it will be after the iphone for sure but im hoping before march. I cant deal with this fascinate any longer. Im never buying another Samsung phone ever again, their support is terrible.

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[Android1254]

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[Android1254]

Ya that's for sure, they money hungry as hell, they haven't given any phone froyo for the sole purpose of making more money on upcoming gingerbread phones, htc I think is the best n taking care of their customers

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[CH3RRY]

I'll probably pick up the iPhone, but thanks for the input.

That's cool...to each their own
Word on the street though, is that verizon wasn't going to allow data usage while on a call for their iPhones. Like for instance, right now with AT&T I can be on a call while texting, going on the Internet, etc...anyone else know about that rumor?
It's unfortunate that this phone has so much potential but Apple doesn't allow for any modifications besides using pics for home screen backgrounds and lock screen backgrounds. Sure, you can jailbreak to get more customization capabilities BUT even apple is cracking down on that...constantly changing and updating their firmware. You can choose not to upgrade and keep your phone jailbroken but then issues arise when you try to download new apps...it doesn't allow you due to the phone not being up to date with the latest firmware! It's just another way apple is trying to "stick it to the man" lol! Its so annoying!

Indeed, you are mostly correct. It's not that Verizon wont ALLOW data usage while on a call, its that with their current network, you can't. Verizon uses CDMA which isn't capable of that. Companies such as AT&T use GSM, which does. Another downside to CDMA vs GSM is that with a GSM phone, you can get international Sim cards to put in the phone so you aren't roaming. With GSM, the best you can get is a World Phone, which just allows you to roam on other networks. I'm not sure how that is with LTE, however.

Edit: Just read that because LTE is a different radio than CDMA, SOME of the new 4G phones will be able to use 3G voice and 4G data at the same time. One of these is the HTC Thunderbolt.

You have made my day...you really have no idea...:yr1:

 

[CH3RRY]

HTC's CEO Peter Chou has a deal with Lowell McAdams which is he doesn't want the TB's release date to be "shadowed" by the release date of the iphone, meaning it won't be before, the idea of it coming on the 31st is bogus because of the 14 day return policy,
The XKXDISTURBEDXKX guy mentioned that he heard an htc rep talking with vzw reps about htc thunderbolt training which is now what's coming up, I went to my vzw store asking and talked to the manager (I have a good relationship with him) and asked him about the release date, he said late Febuary at the least and brought up the Lowell McAdams/Peter Chou thing and it really does make sense if you all think about it right?
Plus the commotion yesterday about the Comerica Theatre in Pheonix Arizona, it could maybe relate to the iphone or 4G however the iphone had its press conference so I think it would be about upcoming 4G devices, I'm NOT stating this as fact lol, just speculation but I think it all makes sense
Hope this helped

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Here's the update about the meeting at the Comerica Theatre...
HTC reps said that the TB release date will coinside with the iphone. Their intentions are to release the phone on the same day because Verizon wants to see the competition between the two phones and how well each of them do. So with that being the case we're looking at a February 10th release date (Thursday).
Now, as for 4G and the pricing...they are still keeping plan pricing and info hush-hush with the employees also which is really frustrating everyone. They let everyone use and play with the TB's but didn't have them running on the 4G network that day. My friend told me he will keep pushing the issue with his boss to find out what the big deal is about keeping it all quiet. He'll tell me more when he finds out.
Not sure if you guys are interested in anything else, but if you are, let me know and I'll find out everything I can for you.
PS...The Thunderbolt is AMAZING...worth the wait...

 

[UNC]

I'll probably pick up the iPhone, but thanks for the input.

It's unfortunate that this phone has so much potential but Apple doesn't allow for any modifications besides using pics for home screen backgrounds and lock screen backgrounds. Sure, you can jailbreak to get more customization capabilities BUT even apple is cracking down on that...

Indeed, you are mostly correct. It's not that Verizon wont ALLOW data usage while on a call, its that with their current network, you can't. Verizon uses CDMA which isn't capable of that. Companies such as AT&T use GSM, which does. Another downside to CDMA vs GSM is that with a GSM phone, you can get international Sim cards to put in the phone so you aren't roaming. With (GSM) CDMA, the best you can get is a World Phone, which just allows you to roam on other networks.

A World Phone has dual radios. A CDMA and a GSM radio.
Any CDMA phone allows you to roam, you just pay out the nose to do it....


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[dbgoolsby]

HTC ThunderBolt compared | Android Central