The Official Release Date Speculation Thread

[htowngator]

Just look at these forums for an examples on how it's damaged... are there lots of posts? Yes. But now the commentary has gone from a very hopeful and probably 2/14 release date to anger over the slippage.

I think what really solidified this was the Best Buy Pre-orders. That gave it an official stamp that while VZW didn't say anything, a company they signed an exclusivity agreement with did. If BB had not taken pre-orders... it'd still be speculation.

BB only had possible release dates or what was listed in their inventory. If that changes then that's too bad for whomever pre-ordered b/c you still have to wait like everyone else.

 

[thedeceiver]

I don't think it was the pre-orders. Nothing in print from Best Buy had the 14th as an official release date. That date came conversations with sales reps., managers, etc. who (in hindsight) should not have given out. Had they not given a set date, there wouldn't be anything wrong with the pre-orders IMO.

Think about it logically. Who goes in and does a pre-order on a device that doesn't have a release date? If I had of known that there was no release date and no indication when there would be one, I would not have pre-ordered it and given BB a loan. Many still would but I think many more would have held out.

Also, if BB didn't want to give a date or didn't feel good about the date, they would have excluded it. They felt reasonably certain that it would be the 14th, or they would have not said anything or been more generic.

If you don't want the store associate to say it, don't communicate it.

 

[thedeceiver]

BB only had possible release dates or what was listed in their inventory. If that changes then that's too bad for whomever pre-ordered b/c you still have to wait like everyone else.

I can't speak to the inventory system but it was clearly communicated to the Mobile associates via some kind of internal communication (not a system). BB has control over that. They could have messaged their associates that the date in the system is placeholder and no date is yet available. But they didn't.. why? Either because they are dumb (possible but doubtful. It's not like it's BB first rodeo) or because they felt comfortable with the information they received from Verizon.

Remember folks, they didn't make up this date. Someone at VZW told them this date.

 

[leehblanc]

First... VZW put out a video that said "February" (albeit in Spanish). That is OFFICIAL and undeniable. What worries me about the leaked screenshot is the "No ETA" part. It doesn't say it may be a week or two late, it doesn't say it's still on track for a February release... it says "No ETA" That could mean ANYTHING. Hell, they could scrap the phone outright at this point, and with each passing day of no info, I care less and less.

Another point I'd like to make is that I think it's kind of ridiculous to show off a phone at CES that is CLEARLY near completion, to the point where it is being used daily by VZW's own testers, and yet they have "No ETA"? I've been signed up for info since day 1, and they haven't put out ANYTHING. Everything I know about the phone, I know from blogs. Sorry, but any way you cut it, that's a fail...

 

[odiej34]

BB only had possible release dates or what was listed in their inventory. If that changes then that's too bad for whomever pre-ordered b/c you still have to wait like everyone else.

WRONG. My order form clearly states the 14th.

 

[I am Fake Jesus]

so tbolt cleared fcc on the 7th. we still dont have info with whats happening. im honestly sticking with the 24th due to 14 day period after iphone. its the only honest reason. this phone cant be having issues after how long its been in testing. the 14th was prolly the original release from the get go. but apple inked a deal that changed everything. i say verizon will give us this info next week. thats my story im sticking to that.


HTC Thunderbolt Clears FCC, Can We Announce it Now? - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

 

[DirtMcGirt]

Yea, what's gonna happen... and what you guys shouldn't do is hype yourselves up like it's coming out tomorrow, the 11th, or the 14th. That's just going to lead to another round of disappointment. That's why i'm sayin', it's best to just not read into this stuff and simply wait for VZ to make an announcement.

 

[DolfanCole]

Think about it logically. Who goes in and does a pre-order on a device that doesn't have a release date? If I had of known that there was no release date and no indication when there would be one, I would not have pre-ordered it and given BB a loan. Many still would but I think many more would have held out.

Also, if BB didn't want to give a date or didn't feel good about the date, they would have excluded it. They felt reasonably certain that it would be the 14th, or they would have not said anything or been more generic.

If you don't want the store associate to say it, don't communicate it.

I'm trying to think about this logically and I can't answer your question about who would order without a release date, 'cause I don't know. But, Best Buy not only didn't give a release date in their ad, they didn't even give a final price. So, no date, no price, and yet, people still pre-ordered. So, I don't know.

 

[SpaceHippie]

WONG. My order form clearly states the 14th.

WONG lol

 

[thedeceiver]

I'm trying to think about this logically and I can't answer your question about who would order without a release date, 'cause I don't know. But, Best Buy not only didn't give a release date in their ad, they didn't even give a final price. So, no date, no price, and yet, people still pre-ordered. So, I don't know.

You're not thinking about it logically. You're telling me that until the Best Buy Weekly Circular has a price, plan information, and a release date, you won't consider it final?

My point is, the ad did not have a lot of information (I would assume those are probably printed a week or so in advance) but the associates had plenty of information. They had a release date and had device prices. Did they have plan details? Nope.

So, if you knew the price of the device and the date it was releasing, why would you not pre-order one? Because data may be $20 or $30 more a month? If that's info is critical for people and they cannot assume the risk of absorbing that per month, perhaps they shouldn't be buying a cutting edge cell phone.

 

[fatrob]

WONG lol

CHARLES WONG!!!! He said the 14th!

 

[Bobman]

Another Verizon tweet:

VerizonWireless Verizon Wireless
Bolt. Thunderbolt. Will tweet info the second we have info. No baloney, just truth - when it's true. (Love your enthusiasm for #LTE!)

 

[LinxuSx]

Everyone has become so pathetically negative in this forum.

Everything is speculation. It COULD still come out on the 14th. Who says they have to start marketing it before the release date? Maybe its just a soft release of some sort to make sure all the bugs are worked out of LTE, and give the iPhone its time.

I'm going to bank on the 14th, and if it does not come out on the 14th, then I will just wait, much like the rest of you

 

[sorphin]

i'm not 'defecting' either.. I have a DInc right now, and I'm getting the Bolt for the LTE and Sense 2.0... I wouldn't go get an iphone, because i've already had one.. and didn't care for the lockdown.. I'm thinking the 24th or the 28th since that's what i'd originally heard..

 

[teddyk]

Just some info, I called the BB where I pre-ordered Sunday. They told me pickup is no longer the 14th, and that they'd call when they have an official day. I asked the rep if they would sell the tbolt if they get them in b4 the 14th and they said no, a release date is needed to sell them.

This could all be hype that vzw is stirring, I don't know why else it would be delayed. Skype Mobile will be available fully on the phone on the 28th as a market update, so I don't think thats the reason its delayed, perhaps because of the stupid iPhone. I'll just be happy with a Feb. release date at this point.

 

[bkorver]

Now, just because I pre-ordered at BB doesn't mean I HAVE to pick it up there, right? I can go to a VZW store, and still use the gift card at BB for a case or something? Not for nothing, but I would rather be told, "We don't know and nothing is official" than "It will be here and you can pick it up on the 14th"...

 

[paulmike3]

Now, just because I pre-ordered at BB doesn't mean I HAVE to pick it up there, right? I can go to a VZW store, and still use the gift card at BB for a case or something? Not for nothing, but I would rather be told, "We don't know and nothing is official" than "It will be here and you can pick it up on the 14th"...

Pretty sure if you preorder at Best Buy, they'll have one with your name at it at that Best Buy. Why would you go somewhere else to buy it?

 

[DolfanCole]

You're not thinking about it logically. You're telling me that until the Best Buy Weekly Circular has a price, plan information, and a release date, you won't consider it final?

My point is, the ad did not have a lot of information (I would assume those are probably printed a week or so in advance) but the associates had plenty of information. They had a release date and had device prices. Did they have plan details? Nope.

So, if you knew the price of the device and the date it was releasing, why would you not pre-order one? Because data may be $20 or $30 more a month? If that's info is critical for people and they cannot assume the risk of absorbing that per month, perhaps they shouldn't be buying a cutting edge cell phone.

I am thinking logically, thank you. And I'm saying that an ad without a firm date and price would not bring me to pre-order. Simple as that.

 

[shaddix]

Pretty sure if you preorder at Best Buy, they'll have one with your name at it at that Best Buy. Why would you go somewhere else to buy it?

To vzw for the 1 year. I preordered at best buy as well just as backup in case they do by some crazy circumstance have it for sale and verizon does not. I will get a refund on my BB preorder if I am able to get it at a verizon store.

 

[fatrob]

To vzw for the 1 year. I preordered at best buy as well just as backup in case they do by some crazy circumstance have it for sale and verizon does not. I will get a refund on my BB preorder if I am able to get it at a verizon store.

You have the $50 gift card from BB to use toward the phone as your "down payment" ....i have been told you can return the "gift card" for cash at BB as it is not the same as a regular gift card. you have nothing to worry about.....return the card or use it in the store at some point......or sell it to me for 40$.....lol