There's a storm brewing...

[drew66]

Anyone else think Bennnn cant tell us because we will be getting an annoucement verrrrry soon?

Me from the AF today:
FWIW: I went in to the BB store last night to talk to the store manager about my phone situation (my 30 day exchange window is over on the 14th) and we went over to the mobile department to go over the options (he didn't know some of the complexities of the mobile dept.). The BB computer still shows it for a 3/10 in store date and we (the mobile associate and I) explained to him how it keeps getting pushed back... blah, blah blah. He understood the push backs and specifically said that they were directed not to put out any ad retractions for the TB in the store this week. We left it that if it does not come it on the 10th to come back in and we will work something out. Most likely waiting and using the buy back and a discount to make it the same price as the $250 pre-sale. We will see!

 

[Mapex]

What ad campaign? the eyesore commercial of the guy trying to power the ThunderBolt with lightning on the roof?

HTC's been doing the advertising, Verizon has only showed one legitimate ad
all the others are HTC's, and there tons better. (that includes the internet ads)

You think that teaser is really much of an advertisement?

They will have a new one as soon as the T-Bolt is launched, one that actually shows what the device can do, along with HTC's own commercial. Compare this to the "It Grabs You" and "Laptop Folding" vs "1984" commercials for the Xoom. The former actual launch-oriented commercials, the latter a mere teaser. This is to what I am referring.

The iPad is going to get similar treatment, not more (in fact possibly less) than what the Xoom, iPhone 4, and T-Bolt have or will get. Notice how the iPhone 4 had a solid two weeks of exclusive advertising (teasers excluded) until the Xoom came out.

 

[deltwalrus]

We're not worried. We're annoyed. But I can see how you might confuse the two. :-/

 

[dannyb884]

Me thinks we may be seeing some thunder "soon"-er than expected.

You can actually put quotes around the whole "sooner than expected" since Verizon tweeted that exact phrase about a month ago. That would be amazing!

 

[brobertsleo]

We are concentrating on something else for the time being. This phone is coming. There is no need to worry.

Now he clearly said there is no need to worry. So if he comes backs saying there's a delay I may have to take a trip to my local Verizon store with a baseball bat.

 

[ntrimm]

Just got an email from one of my business account representatives...see below:


looks like march 17th is the day.
Dane

Sent from my Android phone using TouchDown (Welcome to NitroDesk, Inc.)


-----Original Message-----
From: Neil ]
Received: Monday, 07 Mar 2011, 10:34
To: Dane
Subject: ??? T-bolt


Anything?



Neil

 

[thisiscrazy]

Let me know what store we're all going to.

Sent from my Palm Pilot.

 

[templetonryecy]

If Verizon is concentrating on the iPad 2, well that is just ******ed. 50% of iPad buyers are wanting Wifi only models. And any iPad buyer I know goes to the Apple store to buy, not Verizon, even if they are looking for a 3G model.

I suppose Verizon's research suggests otherwise, but their research and analysis is wrong. And it will cost them. The right thing to do is release the Thunderbolt asap. Like, this week.

 

[soccerfon711]

We are concentrating on something else for the time being. This phone is coming. There is no need to worry.

So you are saying there are no issues with the phone or the network, and Verizon is not announcing the phone due to the iPad 2 launch? I don't believe it. That would be a very stupid PR move.

 

[Sokar]

We are concentrating on something else for the time being. This phone is coming. There is no need to worry.

 

[Chance]

We are concentrating on something else for the time being. This phone is coming. There is no need to worry.

Yea the Ipad 2.

Sigh

 

[Mapex]

If Verizon is concentrating on the iPad 2, well that is just ******ed. 50% of iPad buyers are wanting Wifi only models. And any iPad buyer I know goes to the Apple store to buy, not Verizon, even if they are looking for a 3G model.

I suppose Verizon's research suggests otherwise, but their research and analysis is wrong. And it will cost them. The right thing to do is release the Thunderbolt asap. Like, this week.

Even if only 10% of the iPad 2 owners of the world will be getting 3G models, VZW would rather it is making money from those customers over AT&T. They are going to push hard because they have a major disadvantage in this area - their 3G network is slower and cellphone call quality/reliability means nothing for this device.

They'll release the T-Bolt next week or the week after, I am almost sure of it, because they do want to get onto the 4G bandwagon before everyone else leaves them in the dust. But while Jobs himself never said anything, the iPad 2 is indeed a justified reason to delay the T-Bolt if the 17th doesn't make sense from a marketing perspective.

 

[Bennnnn]

Still on for the 17th? A one word "Yes" or "No" would ease everyone's worries.

As I said earlier, I'll fill you guys in, the minute I get the go ahead. There is no need to worry or get annoyed by this. You will have this iconic device in your hands in no time.

 

[Mapex]

As I said earlier, I'll fill you guys in the minute I get the go ahead. There is no need to worry or get annoyed by this. You will have this iconic device in your hands in no time.

In terms everyone can understand: "Yes, you'll be appeased on the 17th, but I cannot legally say so yet because I don't want the internet to blow up about the T-Bolt and steal thunder from any potential iPad 2 advertising. VZW wants both devices to do well, not one over the other."

 

[edoublediz]

oh its iconic all right!!! it is an icon to every possible thing that could go wrong with a launch.

thanks for info Bennnnn!

 

[zarrel40]

Ben, yesterday you said you would talk to your director about Melones commments. What came of that?

Now you're saying that you will fill us in as soon as you can. Will you be able to inform us before the official press release?

 

[NCX]

You think that teaser is really much of an advertisement?

They will have a new one as soon as the T-Bolt is launched, one that actually shows what the device can do, along with HTC's own commercial. Compare this to the "It Grabs You" and "Laptop Folding" vs "1984" commercials for the Xoom. The former actual launch-oriented commercials, the latter a mere teaser. This is to what I am referring.

The iPad is going to get similar treatment, not more (in fact possibly less) than what the Xoom, iPhone 4, and T-Bolt have or will get. Notice how the iPhone 4 had a solid two weeks of exclusive advertising (teasers excluded) until the Xoom came out.

LOL, you apparently don't watch TV then, there's quite a few ads that show what the ThunderBolt does

 

[azdmelani]

As I said earlier, I'll fill you guys in, the minute I get the go ahead. There is no need to worry or get annoyed by this. You will have this iconic device in your hands in no time.

I may be in the minority, but I choose to believe Bennnn. he has nothing to gain by lying to us, and wants the phone just as much (almost as much?) as we do. He is just sharing his excitement. The fact that he cant share the info means (in my eyes) that something good is imminent,

 

[soccerfon711]

As I said earlier, I'll fill you guys in, the minute I get the go ahead. There is no need to worry or get annoyed by this. You will have this iconic device in your hands in no time.

Since it is now pretty obvious that Verizon knows you are here, I hope you report back and tell them that they are not pleasing their consumers. This lack of communication is not acceptable, and they will not be the top carrier for long if this continues into their other business practices.

End rant.

 

[jbh00jh]

Even if only 10% of the iPad 2 owners of the world will be getting 3G models, VZW would rather it is making money from those customers over AT&T. They are going to push hard because they have a major disadvantage in this area - their 3G network is slower and cellphone call quality/reliability means nothing for this device.

They'll release the T-Bolt next week or the week after, I am almost sure of it, because they do want to get onto the 4G bandwagon before everyone else leaves them in the dust. But while Jobs himself never said anything, the iPad 2 is indeed a justified reason to delay the T-Bolt if the 17th doesn't make sense from a marketing perspective.

How do you know what Steve Jobs said to vzw about how to market his products ??