in stores or online ...

**Phil Nickinson** · 11-10-2011, 01:57 PM

This isn't quite 100 percent a done deal yet (and as such, file under "unconfirmed,") but I'm hearing again we could be back to an online-only sales situation.

This has gone back and forth a few times that I know of. But it's still in the cards, I suppose.

Just FYI.

**Stang68** · 11-10-2011, 01:58 PM

*sigh*

Verizon needs to figure this out. They're the only carrier that has problems launching devices. If this is true, though, I guess it saves me the camping out in front of the store.

Thanks, Phil.

**ManBearPig618** · 11-10-2011, 01:59 PM

Yeah, the online-launch seems to be likely right now....which I guess at least eliminates the need to deal one on one with VZW reps opening the boxes and "testing"....

**Salacon** · 11-10-2011, 02:00 PM

Online only is certainly perfectly fine with me, since that was how I was going to get it anyway.

Thanks for the information, Phil!

**sneakking** · 11-10-2011, 02:00 PM

why does verizon not want my money?

**shanghai** · 11-10-2011, 02:02 PM

Well, if that makes it available sooner so be it. I appreciate your efforts in keeping us informed, let us know if you hear of any real date for on line orders.

**All_Ears** · 11-10-2011, 02:03 PM

With an online only thing, does that mean it would likely not be sold at Best Buy? I have approximately $400 in gift certificates available for Best Buy (traded in an old computer), and was hoping to be able to just use that to get the phone along with some accessories.

**Mooem** · 11-10-2011, 02:05 PM

So Droid-Life's web-only Nov 21st leak may have more weight now? I wouldn't mind a web-only launch since that was how I planned on buying it.

So close yet seemingly so far away.

**JoeUserTX** · 11-10-2011, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mooem

So Droid-Life's web-only Nov 21st leak may have more weight now? I wouldn't mind a web-only launch since that was how I planned on buying it.

Theoretically, they could open online ordering today, if they wanted. I'm sure they already have the SKU in the system, and probably already have the sales page created by now.

Seems like a smart way to do it; keep the enthusiasts (us) happy by releasing it online, and don't step on the Razr promo for the next week (and then release it to stores for general sale after Black Friday).

Thanks for the info, Phil!

**VideoEngineerAJS** · 11-10-2011, 02:16 PM

If it's online only, make it the 17th. I wonder if there is anything to what someone said in the 2100mah battery thread about them possibly needing to stamp out new backs for the batteries? That would make sense as to why they would be waffling back and forth about store or online launch. I mean they obviously know that people are wanting the phone, so I wonder if they just want to get it out online so it will buy them some time to get it to their stores.

**Phil Nickinson** · 11-10-2011, 02:18 PM

FWIW: I don't think it's just Verizon to blame.

We're in a weird place here, right? Bunch of big players in one room. Verizon, known for being, shall we say, picky. Google, cause it's a Nexus phone, and Samsung, because it's the OEM.

It's interesting to think about how things have changed form the Nexus One, when HTC was more of a behind the scenes (ie traditional) OEM. It's not like HTC's logo wasn't on the phone, but neither was it called the HTC Nexus One.

**Mooem** · 11-10-2011, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by JoeUserTX

Theoretically, they could open online ordering today, if they wanted. I'm sure they already have the SKU in the system, and probably already have the sales page created by now.

Seems like a smart way to do it; keep the enthusiasts (us) happy by releasing it online, and don't step on the Razr promo for the next week (and then release it to stores for general sale after Black Friday).

Thanks for the info, Phil!

True. It would make sense to do a period of direct fulfillment especially with it being so close to the Razr's and Rezound's release.

I certainly hope that will be the case.

**Premium1** · 11-10-2011, 02:22 PM

Any idea on launch date? Idc I was going to buy online anyway.

**Stein357** · 11-10-2011, 02:25 PM

The 4S is calling my name, the white looks SO nice, must resist.

**JoeUserTX** · 11-10-2011, 02:27 PM

Phil, I think you should invite the honchos of all three down to , don the striped referee shirt, and let 'em hash this out over a few cold pints, waddaya say?

**MMcCraryNJ** · 11-10-2011, 02:28 PM

Online only would be fine with me (the sooner the better), but would be really dumb on the part of Verizon, especially if they don't get this out before Black Friday weekend.

If I'm a normal customer looking for a new smartphone for either myself or someone for the holidays, I'm going into Verizon to look at either the RAZR, ReZound, Nexus, or 4S. If the model I'm particularly interested in isn't there and there's not much else to look at, I'm going to leave the store empty handed, maybe think about it for a little bit longer or not even bother. But if I walk into a Verizon store knowing that they have the 3 best Android phones, all of which are exclusive to Verizon, plus the new Iphone, I'm eventually going to find something I find worthy of purchasing.

I don't pretend to know good marketing, but we're getting closer to Thanksgiving already and most people are already gearing up for holiday shopping. Verizon has a HUGE opportunity to advertise that they have the 3 best Android phones in a something-for-everyone kind of way, plus the 4S on the most reliable network, but all we are getting from them so far is the RAZR, and their window of opportunity is shrinking if they want to meet the biggest holiday shopping weekend all year.

But I agree, make us happy and release the damn thing online, and then market it in stores, if that is how you want to roll.

**Asterdroid** · 11-10-2011, 02:30 PM

Question for those who have purchased online. Will I be able to activate my girlfriend's line on my old phone once I upgrade to the galaxy nexus or will I still need to go into a brick and mortar to accomplish that part of it?

She's getting my Incredible once I get the Nexus.

Edit: This is, of course, assuming the Nexus is only available online.

**VideoEngineerAJS** · 11-10-2011, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Asterdroid

Question for those who have purchased online. Will I be able to activate my girlfriend's line on my old phone once I upgrade to the galaxy nexus or will I still need to go into a brick and mortar to accomplish that part of it?

She's getting my Incredible once I get the Nexus.

You can do it online. My mom has changed phones up to 3 times in 3 days when she thought she lost her primary phone one time.

I'll have a little more work to do. I'm giving my mom my Thunderbolt, so I'll have to get a new sim for her since the Nexus apparently uses a micro sim.

**philly** · 11-10-2011, 02:39 PM

online order would be fine with me.. I'd be rather excited to hear that the web orders are for sure opening up on the 21st.. It would be a very nice feeling once I clicked confirm my order and it went through..

**CynicX** · 11-10-2011, 02:45 PM

Does the package need to be signed for with online orders? That is a real hassle for me due to my work schedule or lack of schedule I should say.....

Here is my real gripe though. 1 I hate buying sight unseen. 2 I need to see the size of this thing in real life to make sure the LTE version isn't too large. 3 I need to feel if I think it will be durable enough since I'm hard on a phone. 4 I want to look at the cases and screen protectors.

I'm sure I can think of some other things but oh well. I hate to just wing it and hope for the best but if that's what it takes....

**ohiomoto** · 11-10-2011, 02:55 PM

Since I'm considering this beast as a replacement for a Palm Pre, I'll probably wait until it hits the stores. This is a big jump for me, new OS and a new phone that is HUGE compared to my current phone. If it ends up online only, then I'll probably just get it and if I don't like it maybe my wife will. I'll sell it to someone who wants it off contract. Still, I would prefer to at least hold it.

**FD2** · 11-10-2011, 02:58 PM

Awesome another unconfirmed rumor.

**EggoEspada** · 11-10-2011, 03:42 PM

As long as I can get it through Amazon, I'll be fine.

**jerrod6** · 11-10-2011, 03:58 PM

Online is the only way I have ever purchased a phone, so the Verizon store thing is new to me however I have been stopping by my local store every few weeks and have sent them some emails. Stopped in last week and the guy said he had something on order for me. ??? So maybe this will not be true now?

Ordering online I think the phone arrived in 1 or 2 days....I can wait a few days anyway. I don't remember if I had to sign for it, but I prefer signing and not having them leave the thing at my front door.

So there is this report about the cases arriving at the store. I guess this report might be wrong. Why would cases show up at the store if you can't buy the thing there? Just buy them online.