There's a storm brewing...

[deltwalrus]

Hopefully one of the reasons VZW is charging $300 for the TB is because they're thinking about keeping the unlimited plan the same?

Feature for feature, this phone stacks up next to other phones in the $250 - $300 range, so there you go. Data plans cost the same on free-with-contract smartphones as they do on the flagship devices.

 

[bvitale]

When did they announce $300 for the phone?

 

[lapeter]

This is on Phone Arena. Is this old news or a sign of a long delay on release?

HTC Thunderbolt still needs polishing before launch - Phone Arena

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

LTE is the future for VZW. I would hope they're not going to kick it off with a test to see how much we're willing to pay. If anything, the early adopters will get a break on pricing, not a beating (hence the summer tiered plan comments).

Exactly, this is what NCX, biff6789, I, and now you have all been trying to say.

I know none of us can know for sure until launch day, but it's amazing how 3 or 4 people can be saying one thing and then out of nowhere a cynical and pessimistic person can totally throw everyone off and then others jump in and we have to go back in a circle to explain what we already explained.

Again, I know it's hard for any of us to know for sure, so why be so cynical? Like I've said probably 5 times now, the longer they wait to say anything, the less likely anything will change for the time being.

 

[eloverton2]

I think that might be because the LTE devices out right now are laptop modems that are mostly being used by corporate users while on business trips. I doubt most cell phone users will come close to using that amount of data.

What is left to be determined is if baked in apps are going to count toward you data usage or will they be reserved at a different price (for example skype will have its own data rate, or netflix will be pay per view). Data really adds up if you never had wifi and had to download everything from the network...

That was part of the PR blunder I spoke of. They tried to get it out faster, but I believe Apple put a stop to it. Just saying.

Would you guys please stop saying Apple has anything to do with it? If VZW doesn't want to release two products simultaneously, (which I stated a couple days ago I don't understand because one is a tab, ones a phone) They have the right to attempt to maximize profits on each device that is released by reducing the amount of internal competition and spacing out the release dates. It makes no sense for VZW to listen to Apple on how to sell their devices (that they already paid Apple for). Its in their best interest to market and release products that can yield the most revenue FOR VERIZON, not for Apple. It may be related to the release of Apple products, but if a release was stopped, Verizon stopped it.

Need a t-shirt just for this thread:

Androidcentral: There's a storm brewing....

and on the back WINNING?

How could we "supposedly" be a week out and not know the plans yet? They know, their just not saying yet cause they don't want to kill the buzz of the phone.

I honestly think they don't know. Ben (whether you believe him or not) said yesterday they were working on policies...which is a fairly huge step in the release of a new product- let alone an entire line of products as well as pricing and contracts which will largely impact their revenue going forward.

Its been said numerous times (Ben, BMX, etc) the phones ready, we just don't know how much 4g's going to be- which is a pretty big decision. I don't see 4g getting an unlimited tier (unless you pay a ton of money for it) because if everyone who got a TB just started streaming netflix at once it would crush the 4g network. That, compounded with the millions of new iPhoney users currently on unlimited data would put serious strain on their networks. Also, if there is a way they can make more money (which there is) they are going to explore every option. Last week the word was unlimited data users would be grandfathered in... yesterday it was policy changes he wouldnt tell us about til they are set in stone...

Take it with a grain of salt. Its coming sooooooon. I love the smell of Napalm in the morning.

 

[Guntherm]

Can we please stop with the references to Apple's tablet as a feminine hygiene product? It's tasteless at best, and very fanboy-ish to boot. If you don't like the name or the device or the OS or the company, that's your prerogative, but the wacked-out conspiracy theories and name-calling just brings the discussion down a notch.

I'm hoping to join the Android user community very soon (can you hear me NOW, Verizon?!), and I'd like to think it's populated with intelligent, well-spoken geeks. Not rabid fanboys. We have enough of those in the Apple camp to go around.

Well spoken. I belong to both groups, and it does get tireing listen to all the bash them, bash this. I have the Dinc and love the Android, have a iPad and love it, haven't opened my laptop since getting it.

And can't wait to give more love to my Thunderbolt!!!

 

[Wantec]

This is on Phone Arena. Is this old news or a sign of a long delay on release?

HTC Thunderbolt still needs polishing before launch - Phone Arena

Old news, they're talking about the news story that came out back on Monday.

 

[unibolt]

If they really don't know, why would BMX said in a tweet SEVERAL weeks ago that people would not be happy with the data plans?? He said something to the affect of they are wanting the phone but just wait until they see the new data plan prices. So they know, guaranteed. I'll try to find it real quick.

What is left to be determined is if baked in apps are going to count toward you data usage or will they be reserved at a different price (for example skype will have its own data rate, or netflix will be pay per view). Data really adds up if you never had wifi and had to download everything from the network...



Would you guys please stop saying Apple has anything to do with it? If VZW doesn't want to release two products simultaneously, (which I stated a couple days ago I don't understand because one is a tab, ones a phone) They have the right to attempt to maximize profits on each device that is released by reducing the amount of internal competition and spacing out the release dates. It makes no sense for VZW to listen to Apple on how to sell their devices (that they already paid Apple for). Its in their best interest to market and release products that can yield the most revenue FOR VERIZON, not for Apple. It may be related to the release of Apple products, but if a release was stopped, Verizon stopped it.




and on the back WINNING?



I honestly think they don't know. Ben (whether you believe him or not) said yesterday they were working on policies...which is a fairly huge step in the release of a new product- let alone an entire line of products as well as pricing and contracts which will largely impact their revenue going forward.

Its been said numerous times (Ben, BMX, etc) the phones ready, we just don't know how much 4g's going to be- which is a pretty big decision. I don't see 4g getting an unlimited tier (unless you pay a ton of money for it) because if everyone who got a TB just started streaming netflix at once it would crush the 4g network. That, compounded with the millions of new iPhoney users currently on unlimited data would put serious strain on their networks. Also, if there is a way they can make more money (which there is) they are going to explore every option. Last week the word was unlimited data users would be grandfathered in... yesterday it was policy changes he wouldnt tell us about til they are set in stone...

Take it with a grain of salt. Its coming sooooooon. I love the smell of Napalm in the morning.

 

[thedeceiver]

LTE is the future for VZW. I would hope they're not going to kick it off with a test to see how much we're willing to pay. If anything, the early adopters will get a break on pricing, not a beating (hence the summer tiered plan comments).

Since more and more handsets will be LTE in the future, it would make more sense to me if I was in there shoes, to test the pricing on us. As you said, it's going to make or break usage on this phone for a lot of people and I think that's a fair bet on all to follow. They'd rather irritate the relatively small number of us Tbolt users than all the Tbolt users + Samsung + LG + Bionic + <What's Next>.

 

[fatboy97]

When did they announce $300 for the phone?

If I remember correctly it's been at least 2 weeks.

 

[robdec17]

Verizon has not given a cost of the phone. All we have to go buy is the BB ad.. unless I missed something.

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

If they really don't know, why would BMX said in a tweet SEVERAL weeks ago that people would not be happy with the data plans?? He said something to the affect of they are wanting the phone but just wait until they see the new data plan prices. So they know, guaranteed. I'll try to find it real quick.

No offense to BMX or you, but I would think someone in corporate would know a little bit more about the plans than someone out in the field. Maybe BMX heard about the possible plans and heck these may be the plans for the summer since that's when the Verizon exec said the tiers were coming.

 

[Atrav]

Verizon has not given a cost of the phone. All we have to go buy is the BB ad.. unless I missed something.

Also the release date. :/

 

[unibolt]

Well so far his predictions or whatever you call them have been dead on, more than even Bennn's so I don't doubt him for a second. I doubt Bennnn ALOT more than I do BMX. What has been said that has actually came true? No flaming Bennnn, just asking?And what has BMX said that HASN'T???

No offense to BMX or you, but I would think someone in corporate would know a little bit more about the plans than someone out in the field. Maybe BMX heard about the possible plans and heck these may be the plans for the summer since that's when the Verizon exec said the tiers were coming.

 

[marcusjpitts#AC]

quick question...is there a way you can subscribe to a user (Bennnnn) and have it notify you whenever that person posts ???

 

[thedeceiver]

Well so far his predictions or whatever you call them have been dead on, more than even Bennn's so I don't doubt him for a second. I doubt Bennnn ALOT more than I do BMX. What has been said that has actually came true? No flaming Bennnn, just asking?And what has BMX said that HASN'T???

He said 2/24, it didn't happen. He said Thunderbolt was ready to go, it isn't. Shall I go on?

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

Well so far his predictions or whatever you call them have been dead on, more than even Bennn's so I don't doubt him for a second. I doubt Bennnn ALOT more than I do BMX. What has been said that has actually came true? No flaming Bennnn, just asking?And what has BMX said that HASN'T???

We can't say either one is correct until the thing is launched. I wasn't even talking specifically about Bennnn it was just a general statement. BMX may know a lot about when the phone is coming out because he is the one working to get the network up and ready and he probably tests a lot of phones because of that, but he has absolutely no power as to what the financials are going to look like.

 

[fatboy97]

Verizon has not given a cost of the phone. All we have to go buy is the BB ad.. unless I missed something.

True, but that is all we have to go by right now is BestBuy, and that can not be too far off from Verizon's actual price or BB is going to loose a LOT of business or get a lot of business when this is finally released depending on VZW's set price.

 

[PJnc284]

He said 2/24, it didn't happen. He said Thunderbolt was ready to go, it isn't. Shall I go on?

He said the phone was ready and never specified a release date. Plus I'm pretty sure the phone can be ready and the network still be having issues.

 

[elemerica]

Sorry if this has been posted, but it's good for a laugh or three:

YouTube - iphone 4 vs thunderbolt