There's a storm brewing...

[Electric Mayhem]

Well as far as the phones performance in a 3G area, WorldofJohnny over at droidforums.net says it's solid. He's been testing a Bolt for the last week or so and is pretty adamant that he's getting it day one he's that impressed. He's posted video and photos taken with the Bolt and pictures of the phone itself so that's proof enough for me. Also BMX has said it's ready and so has Ben, choose who you want to believe but I don't think its the phone at this point.

 

[Chrisy]

None of them have said the LTE network is ready though.

 

[NCX]

I will share information I have with you when I can, but for now I must wait.

You can't clue us in with riddles? i mean that wouldn't technically be saying whats going on.

And if not, when would that time be that you can say something?

 

[Mapex]

Well as far as the phones performance in a 3G area, WorldofJohnny over at droidforums.net says it's solid. He's been testing a Bolt for the last week or so and is pretty adamant that he's getting it day one he's that impressed. He's posted video and photos taken with the Bolt and pictures of the phone itself so that's proof enough for me. Also BMX has said it's ready and so has Ben, choose who you want to believe but I don't think its the phone at this point.

Like I said earlier, I don't expect the device earlier than the 24th because VZW will want to devote all of its marketing on selling the new iPad and stealing customers from other competitors. After two to four weeks I can see VZW slowing down the campaign, giving enough breathing room for the T-Bolt to get that same, high pressure marketing push.

That being said, if the LTE network is still having issues with smartphones then that is more than enough reason to hold off on the launch of these devices.

 

[Chrisy]

Bennnn should just tell the forum managers. He can hide his identity that way. He doesn't know any more than we. It's not hard to predict when it won't be released based on the articles. That's all he's done so far.

 

[USMC43]

F Verizon and F this phone

 

[soccerfon711]

But you see, that's just it. The only people who care about or even know about the phone are us enthusiasts. The "general population" doesn't know what the Thunderbolt is and could not care any less about communications about it at this point. This is exactly the point that I'm trying to make. Verizon will see such a tiny loss of revenue from the enthusiasts who do in-fact "jump ship" that it's smarter for them to keep quite at this point, rather than release a statement saying they have things that are broken, which would stir up even more controversy with a larger audience.

And you're absolutely right, it wouldn't happen like this for the iPhone.

I don't think that this argument is valid anymore. With the large number of commercials and publicity, a lot of people know about the Thunderbolt. Just go to Verizon's facebook and see the sheer number of fans commenting on it. However, everyone is going to buy the phone regardless if they release it now or in a few weeks, and Verizon knows that. Nevertheless, a vast number of unhappy fans is never a good thing.

That's why I am a little torn; this debacle is definitely hurting Verizon's PR, so why would they not say when the release date is? To me, this means that they do not have a release date and are experiencing issues with the phone/network that are restricting them from setting one. I don't think Verizon would be stupid enough to hold back this information if they actually had a concrete release date. That's just my take on it.

 

[Guntherm]

What is the statement we are tweeting?

 

[Chrisy]

Agreed. The only reason they aren't fixing this mess with a release date is because there are MAJOR issues. That's all I can conclude.

I'm sure they'd love to announce and sell this phone. But they can't.

 

[brobertsleo]

I will share information I have with you when I can, but for now I must wait.

This can't be good...

 

[Guntherm]

You are correct, except that the few that have made video's testign them have stated it required the 4G Sim to even run the 3G. I would assume not becuase the 3G itself, but the way the hardware is setup.. required it.

 

[elemerica]

I don't think that this argument is valid anymore. With the large number of commercials and publicity, a lot of people know about the Thunderbolt. Just go to Verizon's facebook and see the sheer number of fans commenting on it. However, everyone is going to buy the phone regardless if they release it now or in a few weeks, and Verizon knows that. Nevertheless, a vast number of unhappy fans is never a good thing.

That's why I am a little torn; this debacle is definitely hurting Verizon's PR, so why would they not say when the release date is? To me, this means that they do not have a release date and are experiencing issues with the phone/network that are restricting them from setting one. I don't think Verizon would be stupid enough to hold back this information if they actually had a concrete release date. That's just my take on it.

There are commercials, you're correct, but as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong as I don't watch much TV), not a single one of them says what the Thunderbolt is. As far as the average Joe is concerned, the Thunderbolt is something to do with Verizon - and that's it. They don't know it's a phone, or the specs of it, or anything about it, other than a name.

Again, the people posting on Facebook, Twitter, whatever else are the very small minority in the bigger picture. The vast majority of people I meet with Android phones are completely clueless of their phones potential for all intents and purposes. They saw the phone, liked the way it looks and feels and bought it; whether it's the Incredible, the Droid X, the Droid 2 etc.

 

[NCX]

Agreed. The only reason they aren't fixing this mess with a release date is because there are MAJOR issues. That's all I can conclude.

I'm sure they'd love to announce and sell this phone. But they can't.

I don't believe one word of that post.

Its more related to insider politics than issues, BMX already said the phone was read as was the LTE network, he's been using the LTE network and been saying how fast and flawless it is. So theres MORE going on behind the scenes than Verizon is letting on, todays conference call proves that

one word comes to mind,

iPhone

There are commercials, you're correct, but as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong as I don't watch much TV), not a single one of them says what the Thunderbolt is. As far as the average Joe is concerned, the Thunderbolt is something to do with Verizon - and that's it. They don't know it's a phone, or the specs of it, or anything about it, other than a name.

Again, the people posting on Facebook, Twitter, whatever else are the very small minority in the bigger picture. The vast majority of people I meet with Android phones are completely clueless of their phones potential for all intents and purposes. They saw the phone, liked the way it looks and feels and bought it; whether it's the Incredible, the Droid X, the Droid 2 etc.

"You want a phone that________" then during that whole commercial they fill in that blank

 

[Atrav]

If the 4g network is not ready I would still buy the TB and use it on 3g until they resolve the issue. But I guess releasing a 4g phone and not having a 4g network for it is bad for VZW.

 

[Chrisy]

I guess that could be true and I wouldn't rule it out. Just seems that VZW would want to sell phones, no matter the brand. No? So not sure abt the Apple theory.

VZW can't sell their first LTE phone, with all the hype, and have it only work on 3G at first. I seriously doubt that would happen.

 

[azdmelani]

I will share information I have with you when I can, but for now I must wait.

Thanks for popping in. If it isnt giving too much away, can you tell us if you are still confident that the phone will release on the 17th?

 

[amotter]

OK....here is my latest thinking. You may agree with the logic...you may not. Johnnyboy has been discussion boarding his demo experience, I think we all have been viewing and I have seen some of our members on it.

He got his phone last week. I asked (but missed it if someone answered this already) does anyone know how long these people have to demo the phone? Isn't the point being that Verizon gets feedback from the testers and then if they can fix it..they do and then move forward? Why would they give someone a demo and then launch a week later? Not like they are going to get any useful data...right?

Anyway...this is what he said last night....
"I believe I have at least 30 days with the phone. To me, it seems ready, LTE issues aside (which I have not tested). I don't think Skype is a make or break as that is seemingly not Verizon or HTC's issue considering no other phone has video Skype capabilities."

Is anyone else out there reading this like me? I am reading April! Please excuse me while I go bang my head against a brick wall!

 

[htowngator]

Ben^5 says he must "wait" to share info now? Eh, not good news.

 

[Bennnnn]

Agreed. The only reason they aren't fixing this mess with a release date is because there are MAJOR issues. That's all I can conclude.

I'm sure they'd love to announce and sell this phone. But they can't.

No, there are no major issues.

 

[Chrisy]

OK....here is my latest thinking. You may agree with the logic...you may not. Johnnyboy has been discussion boarding his demo experience, I think we all have been viewing and I have seen some of our members on it.

He got his phone last week. I asked (but missed it if someone answered this already) does anyone know how long these people have to demo the phone? Isn't the point being that Verizon gets feedback from the testers and then if they can fix it..they do and then move forward? Why would they give someone a demo and then launch a week later? Not like they are going to get any useful data...right?

Anyway...this is what he said last night....
"I believe I have at least 30 days with the phone. To me, it seems ready, LTE issues aside (which I have not tested). I don't think Skype is a make or break as that is seemingly not Verizon or HTC's issue considering no other phone has video Skype capabilities."

Is anyone else out there reading this like me? I am reading April! Please excuse me while I go bang my head against a brick wall!

I agree with April or later. VZW has to want to sell this phone! I really think they just can't because of LTE issues.