Amazon has removed the 2/14 date from their ThunderBolt page. While this seems to be a screenshot from inside Verizon, I think it's reasonable to assume that the launch date will be the same for Verizon, Best Buy, and Amazon. It's sad that when we finally get a firm confirmation of the suspected 2/14 launch date, it's just to say it's been postponed.
Why the postponement less than a week before the planned launch date? I see three possibilities:
(1) Hardware problem. If this is the case, then the delay will be months because many of these devices have already been manufactured and are sitting in warehouses (no official source on that, just thinking about the logistics of meeting a 2/14 date). But I don't think that's the issue. Seems late in the game to still be testing hardware.
(2) Software problem. I hope they aren't holding it back just for hotspot or Skype. Those updates could be sent OTA after launch. If it relates to core functionality (phone, e-mail, web browsing), then I'd want to see that fixed before launch.
(3) iPhone impact. Too close to the iPhone release? Worried about the ThunderBolt's impact on iPhone sales? Too much for the network or support personnel to handle after the anticipated flood of new iPhone customers? I certainly hope not because I'm sure that desired timing of both launches has been known internally here for some time.
I'm leaning toward #3. I suspect that when the iPhone pre-sales sold out so quickly, The Powers That Be decided to up their sales projections for launch week and push back the ThunderBolt launch so it won't over tax their infrastructure (human and technological).