HTC Merge delayed -- to get LTE?

**Phil Nickinson** · 11-10-2010, 09:15 AM

Admittedly, I don't know @V3RDICT. And the HTC Merge hardware I saw looked pretty final, but I wouldn't blame anyone if they pushed it back for LTE. But wouldn't new radio testing/FCC approval *really* push things back?

**Jared DiPane** · 11-10-2010, 09:28 AM

Seems rather interesting. I would be surprised that they didn't delay the Droid Pro for the same thing as well.

**JoseN305** · 11-10-2010, 11:16 AM

Dont trust a bills fan.

**Phil Nickinson** · 11-10-2010, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by JoseN305

Dont trust a bills fan.

lol. Why not? What else have they to lose?

**map724** · 11-10-2010, 01:11 PM

If true, it's a D2G for me...

**icu** · 11-10-2010, 01:18 PM

*vader* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ah well shucks. Looks like coal in my stocking this year.

Those in "the know" testing for a new radio implementation like this could push it back how long?

Why not just release the Merge and then give us the Merge Pro w/ LTE later on? LTE would be great for the future, but TBH I don't really care about that atm. I mainly use Wifi already.

**ecfiffer** · 11-10-2010, 01:19 PM

i'm still holding out for the 'incredible hd'

**DolfanCole** · 11-10-2010, 01:24 PM

Would be disappointed if true. I was holding out for this phone. If this turns out be correct, what are we looking at? March, April 2011? I've seen discussion that Verizon will do what Sprint did and release the LTE cards first and then the phones. So that really pushes things back (in addition to the new FCC approval). This could really suck!

**Mark_Venture** · 11-10-2010, 01:27 PM

Considering I saw a VZW rep using this device "in the wild" when VZW had a "quarterly review" with the customer that I support.

He had it on the table the entire meeting...

**The_Engine** · 11-10-2010, 01:29 PM

HTC is definately testing LTE devices. Meaning they already have test models running on VZW's Network. I am sure other manufacturers do as well. So putting in the radio may not be a big delay at all.

**jim1969** · 11-10-2010, 01:53 PM

We know this isn't a "Droid" phone. Wouldn't giving it LTE capablities put it in that category? I've been waiting on this phone to replace my BB 8330. If it's a wait, I'm going D2G.

**bigdav1178** · 11-10-2010, 02:13 PM

I'd be more than a bit disappointed if this was true. I've been waiting to upgrade to this phone since September, but I won't wait until sometime next year for it. The speed of LTE would be great; but I don't live in a major metro area, and I won't pay for a LTE plan (which I expect will be more expensive or data capped) if I'm not getting LTE service.

This goes against what a Verizon store rep told me earlier in the month, and everything I've been reading; so hopefully this guy's just starting a rumor. I've been told it would launch before the end of the month (I'd love to see it released tomorrow); but if this turns out to be true, I'm with a bunch of the other people who've posted... it's the D2 / D2G for me.

On the positive side of things, I ought to be able to pick up a D2 pretty cheap right about now...

**Comineeyeaha** · 11-10-2010, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by jim1969

We know this isn't a "Droid" phone. Wouldn't giving it LTE capablities put it in that category? I've been waiting on this phone to replace my BB 8330. If it's a wait, I'm going D2G.

Where did you get this idea? I don't see how the 2 are related. The only thing, AFAIK, that differentiates Droid from the rest is no Bing, at this point.

**jim1969** · 11-10-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Comineeyeaha

Where did you get this idea? I don't see how the 2 are related. The only thing, AFAIK, that differentiates Droid from the rest is no Bing, at this point.

We know the Merge will have Bing and is not being labeled as a Droid phone. How could Verizon put LTE in this phone and not call it "Droid"? They consider Droid to be their high end android phone line. Anything less is considered mid-range and gets Bing. That's my reasoning that this is a false rumor. I may be wrong but how could this get LTE before any of the "Droid" offerings?

**Droid hungry** · 11-10-2010, 02:31 PM

i think that if they do push this back to get LTE and it takes a while wouldnt the phone be a little bit outdated when it does finally drop?

**icu** · 11-10-2010, 02:38 PM

Any chance Motorola "asked" VZW to hold off on the Merge as it might hurt sales of their Pro and D2G so VZW is giving HTC first crack at LTE? Seems like Motorola kind of has favored nation status. I mean just reading this thread would make Motorola very happy - delay in Merge = D2G sales? [/conspiracy]

**ls377** · 11-10-2010, 02:40 PM

Maybe HTC held it back for the same reason...didn't want sales hurt by the two other world phones.

**Jaredshoes** · 11-10-2010, 02:42 PM

how long will it be till this is released then..I rreally want this HTC merge gettin kinda tired of my original Droid

**map724** · 11-10-2010, 02:57 PM

Didn't someone on this site or another Android blog report that VZW stores and Amazon both have Merge accessories in stock right now? I'm putting money on this delay stuff being total b.s. Maybe it's Moto putting it out so people run out and buy the D2G or DPro before the Merge hits.

**rustbucket1849** · 11-10-2010, 03:12 PM

I really hope not.. i have been waiting for a new phone and i really like the HTC merge, and ill still wait, Motorola is a piece of junk in my opinion. Ill wait to enter the the android market.. if so... I can only hope that this is a rumor.. personally think it is, just to stir up things

**LikenMerge** · 11-10-2010, 03:34 PM

I was checking out the Twitter page of the guy who said that. I think its right. In several post he mentions
- Merge was supposed to be released November 23rd
- Phone was ready to go. Passed all test. But verizon pulled back to add LTE
- Verizon will be releasing 4 big phones 1 each month starting in January

This stinks! Was really looking forward to this phone and joining Droid family. Have a BB right now..Hopefully it comes out by or in January!

**sc32valve** · 11-10-2010, 04:02 PM

I cannot believe this guy has gotten this much attention.

If the phone was supposed to be release on Nov. 23rd, they would have to have some stock or at least 10,000+ units in transit already. The tooling for manufacture alone had to be done months ago as well as the components. Not to mention the near final demo units? I think there is too much investment there. There might be a LTE redesign/upgrade, like in the case of Droid to Droid 2 Global, but we should still be seeing some units.

**LikenMerge** · 11-10-2010, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by sc32valve

I cannot believe this guy has gotten this much attention.

If the phone was supposed to be release on Nov. 23rd, they would have to have some stock or at least 10,000+ units in transit already. The tooling for manufacture alone had to be done months ago as well as the components. Not to mention the near final demo units? I think there is too much investment there. There might be a LTE redesign/upgrade, like in the case of Droid to Droid 2 Global, but we should still be seeing some units.

Yet, we havent heard much of this phone besides the hands on. If it was going to be released soon, wouldnt we have some specs by now or something? I wish there was a way to get some clarification on this to know if this guy is right or not.

**Mark_Venture** · 11-10-2010, 04:27 PM

well, we know that either an HTC or BB will be VZW's first LTE smart phone... so the big question is... will the HTC be the Merge or something else?

**dbasham** · 11-10-2010, 04:32 PM

Man I really want to see if the Merge comes out this month but I have been itching to dump my Blackberry Storm since August. I also bought a D2 back then but a store tech told me about the Pro/Global so I held off. If is now November and I can't wait much longer. If this rumour turns out to be true (someone in the KNOW must be able to confirm it) I will be going for the D2G in the next week or so. I simply cannot stand my Storm any longer and I really want an Android.

So why do some people hate the Motorola phones so much? I know that Motoblur could be better but this phone seems to have some serious horsepower and great features. Other than the keyboard why shouldn't I get the D2G?
--Denny