YEAH baby! My Demo will be here today!

[BzB]

This is part of the reason I think HTC relocated the charging port to the side. Perhaps it's a sturdier mounting point. Of course they also could have moved it due to packaging of the internals leaving the side as the only available space. The docks also could be a driving reason too. Either way, the port is located in almost the same place on my incredible and I can't recall hearing of a problem with one of those under normal use.

My only problem with this design is the kickstand. I understand if the are Car and/or Home docks that they need the port on one side, but they should have made the kickstand open up the opposite side so that you can easily charge it while utilizing the kickstand.

The only thing I can think of is perhaps they will make a home dock that is more like a "bumper" in that it plugs into the phone's USB port but still uses the onboard kickstand as the main support to keep the phone upright. That "bumper/dock" would then have a USB port on the back where you can charge the phone while using the kickstand. If they don't sell a home dock like that, I want to sell my idea to HTC

^ great idea for a docking solution! seems like it might be fairly easy to produce too.

the port location is the only thing that seems like and oversight so far. definitely has me scratching my head. i'm thinking it had to be placed there because of packaging limitations or the but it would be great to have some insight from HTC on why they placed it there. hopefully they give us a few docks that make it a non issue...kind of.

 

[rage151]

WOJ, did you get a chance to register your TB at www.htcsense.com? If so, how was the experience? Any limitations or things that did not work?

 

[zenit]

so I am curious about your opinion on this....now that you used this phone as a demo, and we know its coming out on the 17th....are you going to get one for yourself to use as your main phone? Or would you rather use something else?

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Has anyone gotten an email regarding the release of the Thunderbolt yet from the Verizon Thunderbolt Tracker sign up? If not I would not get my hopes up high until you get the email from Verizon...

Verizon Wireless

You could be correct. Best Buy just called to inform me that the phone goes o sale on the 17th and that the info came from Verizon. I called my VZ store to confirm and the sales rep said that they did not have a release date!! However, a one year contract option would be available for the TB. To verify, I asked to speak to the manager who verified that there was no release date and that she didn't know whether a one year contract would be available!. I called sales again (different rep) and was told that they were having a meeting on *Friday* that should clear up all the confusion! I reminded her that the confusion was about a *Thursday* release and hung up. It seems that everyone knows that the phone will be on sale on the 17th except my Verizon store. Talk about screwed up! That's a real SNAFU.:icon_cussing::beer2:

Ed, it's official, the 17th is confirmed direct from Verizon and my business account manager confirmed that as the release date. No more stupid "leaked photos" from BB or VZW internal memos, no more "I am leaving Verizon if they don't release it by ___." It's coming on the 17th, period. :rockon:

Verizon storefronts and Customer Service reps, bless their hearts, cannot be trusted as they are the ones that leak all these "In-Stock" documents and internal memos on release dates... I guarantee that by Wednesday evening, all the Sales Teams and Stores will know about it. I am guessing that with all the confusion on release dates, the stores don't know what to believe until they have their "team meetings." Since they only officially announced it this AM, I say wait until tomorrow afternoon and call back then if you want to hear it from the Store managers, etc. Personally, I wouldn't trust them any more than I can trust Steve Jobs saying the iPhone 4 Antenna issues are not valid.

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

WOJ, did you get a chance to register your TB at www.htcsense.com? If so, how was the experience? Any limitations or things that did not work?

It never worked for me when trying to get there from the Phone Browser (which is the last step of the login process). I am thinking I will have to wait for the final production phone to do so, if at all. (I heard rumors that htcsense.com wasn't going to be a reality on the TBolt, though I don't remember where I saw it.)

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

so I am curious about your opinion on this....now that you used this phone as a demo, and we know its coming out on the 17th....are you going to get one for yourself to use as your main phone? Or would you rather use something else?

Yes, I am getting it. Love HTC Sense UI, love the fact that when 4G comes I will be able to use it.

If only Motoblur wasn't such a poor performing UI it would be a tougher decision... Who knows, maybe with the Bionic they will improve it the UI experience? I will try to get my hands on a test unit.

This is why I am thankful that I can basically get a new phone anytime I want... being one of the Account Manager has it's privelages!

 

[EdForsythe]

Decision: Buy at Verizon or Best Buy?

I'm month to month and I anticipate a replacing the TB within 6 - 12 months because IMHO, much better phones will be available. (iPhone5 with 4.3" Retina display, LTE 4G, Talk & Surf, etc.:wink:).
Options:
1. Verizon 2 year contract = $249.99
2. Verizon 1 year contract = ?
3.BB = Pre order, 2 year = $249.99 with Buy Back ($59.99).
(Buying at MSRP -$750 - and selling when I'm ready for another phone has been suggested but I don't believe it's best for me.)

At this point (not knowing the VZ 1 year price), BB is the best future proofing option but I must clarify whether the buy back price is the MSRP of the TB at the time of purchase or when I buy a new phone and if there is a restocking fee.

What do you think?
Oops, JB should I start another thread. I don't mean to hijack yours.

Addendum: My VZ rep just called and said that they received an email indicating that the 17th is e date - Duh! But "...it appears" that Verizon will not offer a 1 year contract on the TB and that Vz is finished with 1 year contracts on all their phones. FWIW

More:
I may have mistakenly referred to "MSRP". This is how BB defines it:
"Purchase price for mobile phones refers to the Best Buy regular retail price prior to any specific carrier-based rebates, offers, discounts, or promotions." Is that $299.99 or $750? Either way, without a 1 year contract option at Verizon, Best Buy Buy Back seems to be the best option

 

[EdForsythe]

Anybody here? Will the last one to leave please turn off the lights?:sad:
Thank you Johnboy. This has been the best cell phone forum ever and it was your baby from beginning to end - MAGNIFICENT effort! :hail:

 

[tgyberg]

Are ya gonna miss the spotlight?!

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Anybody here? Will the last one to leave please turn off the lights?:sad:
Thank you Johnboy. This has been the best cell phone forum ever and it was you baby from beginning to end - MAGNIFICENT effort! :hail:

Unfortunately for you, but fortunately for me, I don't have to worry about ETF's, refunds, etc. for my phones since I get mine through a large business account. Therefore, I can offer no help with your dilemma. I know that the TBolt is going to be my next phone, I will never purchase an iPhone even if it was the last smartphone on Earth, but I realize that it's really a matter of personal preference, they all have pros and cons.

As to you kind words (and really, all the nice compliments I have recieved throughout), thank you, and thanks for participating. I learned a lot of nice tips, tricks and new apps that will make my Android experience even better!
:yeahbaby01:

All I can say is 3/17/2011... what a great day to enjoy a new Android phone with Corned Beef & Cabbage and a huge frosty glass of brew! int:

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Are ya gonna miss the spotlight?!

It's safe to say that I never in my wildest dreams thought that this thread would go for ~80 pages and ~90,000 views.

I won't miss it, and now my wife will be happy as I'm focused on prepping for my mini-me's arrival! :icon_eek:

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

FYI, for those that I freaked out last night with my "Battery Left" widget issues, I have had the phone in use all day since 8am EST and the phone currently says 14% battery left, or 1hr 31 minutes. It still hasn't fully calibrated, but it will be after tonight!

 

[EdForsythe]

Another Option

Free Thunderbolt at Wirefly!

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Free Thunderbolt at Wirefly!

Free Pre-Order, maybe...

 

[BionicBigJames]

Hi, WorldofJohnboy! I'm a lurker on these forums, but I just wanted to post to say thank you for giving us all an accurate taste of what the Thunderbolt has to offer. You have been so helpful to us all & you have definitely played a big part in my desision to purchase the Thunderbolt on Thursday. I'm so excited! By the way, congratulations on your upcoming little bundle of joy! What a wonderful time to look forward to!

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