Thunderbolt Pre Announcement Waiting Room & Availability Thread.

[potatolover1102]

I called tonight and the guy told me he doesn't know a thing and they can't even look up. He wants one and can't even find the info in their system and does not understand how bb has a preorder on a basically not released phone. He also said as an employee he can't preorder it or even find an order option at verizon right now. So... verizon is angering me with this and SHAME on bb if they started the preorder and it has been pushed Back!! Also what major corporation starts a preorder for a product and doesn't even have a freaking price!!!

 

[twistedjustice81285]

The tb could still come out the 14th. Remember that the droid incredible didn't have much publicity when it first came out, but because of online buzz, the phone sold very well.

 

[Comineeyeaha]

The tb could still come out the 14th. Remember that the droid incredible didn't have much publicity when it first came out, but because of online buzz, the phone sold very well.

THANK YOU! People are so quick to lose hope here. I feel like I will probably read the comment "Wait, so it's released on the 15th instead of the 14th? I'M CANCELLING VERIZON!! BLARG!!!!!" at some point in the next week.

 

[tomskag]

i canceled my iphone in november, and was gonna go out and get a droidX. Then i seen the TB at ces and have been waiting ever since. 2 more weeks isnt gonna kill you.

just sayin'

 

[hatsoffexpress]

How much the data plans are going to cost is way to big a question for a blind preorder...at least for this guy. $10 more a month is "dammit but doable," while $50 for 5GB is no dice.

...and I really wanted to preorder. F***ing iPwne.

 

[moosc]

Bionic slow Hm yea ok. Once final product is finalized it will be on top . Let the thunderchicken have its day in the sun and in two months you'll see who Is going to be king.

Well I have already seen some reviews of the Droid Bionic. Just my opinion but multiple reviews of the Bionic, the phone seems slow. And i truly just dont like the brand LG for phones. Almost every Lg phone I have ever owned broke. I am currently using an enV 3 and the front speaker doesn't even work, it freezes constantly. I just got rid of my Samsung Fascinate

Sent from DroidX running DarkSlide4.2

 

[tomskag]

just preorder it then, you get your 50 dollars back on a gift card. you dont have to buy it if they decide to rape your wallet.

 

[SpaceHippie]

Although the Bionic is more powerful, i still prefer the TB because of it's build quality. The bionic is a ugly phone to be honest. The camera and flash look awful and the phone is plastic. The TB is aluminum and has a big flush camera. i do want a good looking phone haha

 

[Comineeyeaha]

How much the data plans are going to cost is way to big a question for a blind preorder...at least for this guy. $10 more a month is "dammit but doable," while $50 for 5GB is no dice.

...and I really wanted to preorder. F***ing iPwne.

Wow, people really have gone nuts with that $50 for 5GB thing, haven't they? Those numbers are for the wifi/usb dongles, not for the phones. It would be ridiculous for them to charge that much. If they did that, you might as well get a MiFi to carry around with you everywhere, and then you can have an implied tethering plan for you and 4 friends. It won't be $50, don't worry.

 

[SpaceHippie]

They told me employees can't pre order lol guess i didn't have a choice

 

[Joelist]

I decided on Thunderbolt over Bionic not on Plastic/metal (hardware wise I love my Droid X) but because Motorola's Android build is frankly bad. It stutters, Exchange Sync is broken, volume is erratic on alarms and so on. And Motorola has acknowledged all the bugs for a good six months now and no fix is forthcoming.

On the other side we have HTC's Android build. Sense may use more power (not sure if that is still true on the new Sense) but the UI is buttery smooth, the Exchange support is first class (HTC wrote their own which blows away iOS, BB and even Stock Android) and everything just works and works well.

Moto has the nicer hardware, but HTC is FAR better at providing a first class phone OS experience.

 

[dajogejr]

The 50 dollars is for the USB Dongle/air card only, as said.
For now, I'd bet the data unlimited is 30 bucks...and I plan to grandfather in.

Here's what you have to keep in mind. On a phone, VZW can charge you for minutes, texting, data....

On a USB dongle, it's air time only. Nothing else....so you're gonna get charged a bit more.

50 for data only or 30 for data, 5 or 10 for texting, 35 or more for voice, etc.

Although I want this phone bad...I am SOOOO bored of my blackberry, I'm not hanging VZW for lack of details.

Let's face it, they are going to sell more iPhones than the TB. No iffs, ands or butts, period.

Even if Android made a phone right now that cured cancer, the iPhone would still be the hottest thing.

As said, with the speed of the Internet, it will market itself.
How many threads on how many forums talk about Best Buy, pre order, etc?
And NO details are even set in stone yet...but thousands have pre ordered theirs already.

 

[moosc]

Also remember there is a 15 day return so let first day sale of iPhone go and in 16 days sell tb that makes more sense

 

[I am Fake Jesus]

well we no the bionic has some serious power under the hood, but its optimizing it that will take advantage. if the bionic wasnt so damn ugly an locked down id make it an option. an we know the bionic will get tons of marketing. i think that is what the thunderbolt needed. the droid branding. then verizon could have put them head to head. sure iphone would have won due to brainless sheep. but tbolt would have turned some heads an sales reps could compare the two for cust that have no sense. 2cents.

 

[TheProfessor]

I can't believe you guys think that Verizon would actually tell us anything before the official launch of "that other *phone". They are going to milk that launch for all it's worth.

My bet is the first time we hear anything official from Verizon will be on "launch day" Feb 14th.

 

[Mustang7303]

While looking over plan pricing on VZW's site, since I will be doing a phased transition of my lines, the chat option appears and I jumped in to ask questions about the iPhone and see if I could get a firmer feel for the TB's release date:

VZW Rep: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
You: Hi there, I am looking to switch to Verizon for both the iPhone and Thunderbolt
VZW Rep: Awesome Phones!!
You: Since both phones will be released on different days, and I intend to end up on a family plan, I am looking for my options to make this as smooth of a transition as possible.
VZW Rep: Sure, what you do, when the phones have launched, you can add the first line, then wait till the other phone launch then add a line for that one.
You: So I guess sign up for a single line plan for the iPhone and down grade my current plan to a single line as well?
You: then when the Thunderbolt is released, upgrade to the family plan? Will that cause problems with contracts or using a Corporate discount?
VZW Rep: Correct, that will not cause any issues with the discount at all.
You: If I wanted to transfer both numbers, could I get a different phone as temporary phone to wait for the Thunderbolt?
VZW Rep: Correct, you can.
You: like return what ever temporary phone and still get the thunderbolt under contract pricing? Is there even a release date yet for the thunderbolt?
VZW Rep: Please hold on while I check that information.
VZW Rep: According to sources they are saying it is coming out on 2/14
You: Oh, thats is just a few days after the iPhone I believe
VZW Rep: Correct.
You: Thats cool, i guess I could wait a few more days and not mess around with a temporary phone.
VZW Rep: I understand, yes also Best Buy is talking pre orders for the phone now if that is a option that you can do.
You: Couple of more questions, I think. Will I be able to "pre-order" the iPhone before launch on Thursday?
VZW Rep: Correct on 2/09 you can pre order the phone at 3:01AM
You: 3AM?! People are asleep then! I guess my wife will be keeping me up for that. What time zone is that in?
VZW Rep: That is Eastern Time Zone, but the phones are first come first serve so you can order at 3:01AM and after.
You: Ok, so 2:00 central time. Last question, will the iPhone use normal data packages ($30 for Unlimited)?
VZW Rep: Correct.
You: Will the Thunderbolt do the same? Just trying to price out the whole plan to compare to my current Sprint plan with corporate discount.
VZW Rep: The Thunderbolt will require the same data package as the other smartphones.
You: Oh and one last question, as I am going through the site. The optional Visual Voice Mail and VZ Navigator services, will these be required on the iPhone or Thunderbolt? I enjoy navigation through my phone and the voice mail is pretty neat.
You: Ok, thats good to know.
You: Oh, the sames goes for the 3G mobile hotspot optional service. both phones will be able to be a hotspot, but will there a be a premium data charge if using that feature without the $20/month charge?
VZW Rep: Please hold on while I check that information.
VZW Rep: The navigation on either phones comes free since the phones have there own GPS feature built in, Visual Voicemail is optional to get still get free voice mail, 3g mobile hotspot is optional but you can add later.
VZW Rep: Premium data charges is if you do not have the mobile hotspot, just be charge pay per use.
You: Ok, thank you for your time and enduring my barrage of questions. Have a great day!
VZW Rep: If you use that feature.
VZW Rep: Thank you for visiting Verizon Wireless, I look forward to speaking with you again. Have a great day!
Your chat session has been ended by your Verizon Wireless online agent.

I didn't probe about the $250 vs $200 pricing on the TB because I don't care and I also already have my pre-order in with BB. So things still very strong for a 2/14 release, even if it is without much fan fair.

 

[upz3]

One of the better VZM Rep chats I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

 

[thedeceiver]

While looking over plan pricing on VZW's site, since I will be doing a phased transition of my lines, the chat option appears and I jumped in to ask questions about the iPhone and see if I could get a firmer feel for the TB's release date:

VZW Rep: Hello. <VZW Rep Lies/Guesses/Conjecture Ensues around TBolt>

I think we are all just hearing what we want to hear. Never make the assumption that the customer service reps are in the loop on things like this. They never are. They probably got their information from an old communication.

Seriously, does anyone expect the phone to be announced and released in what would essentially be one week? No way. With no word at the Super Bowl and no word this morning, it's not going to happen.

I wish it was... but the evidence to the contrary is stacking up.

 

[Edwill86]

I didn't probe about the $250 vs $200 pricing on the TB because I don't care and I also already have my pre-order in with BB. So things still very strong for a 2/14 release, even if it is without much fan fair.

If we can get every VZW rep to say this we would know it as a fact.

I will try a chat or even call BB and VZW later. they should know something by now since the phones need to ship this week to make the 2/13-2/14 "release date"*

 

[Mustang7303]

I think we are all just hearing what we want to hear. Never make the assumption that the customer service reps are in the loop on things like this. They never are. They probably got their information from an old communication.

Seriously, does anyone expect the phone to be announced and released in what would essentially be one week? No way. With no word at the Super Bowl and no word this morning, it's not going to happen.

I wish it was... but the evidence to the contrary is stacking up.

The evidence is stacking up that this could be a silent release. There has been a lot of conjecture about VZW's wanting to milk the iPhone for obvious reasons, but more importantly to do a soft rollout of the -first- 4G phone on the LTE network. Sure it may have been in testing by a handful or two of users for weeks or months, but you don't want to go horns blaring on a feature/network that may have issues out of the gate.

There has also been a plethora of information pointing to a release of 2/14, even if it doesn't get the fan fair we would hope for to take pride of shoving crap into Apple's face. In all reality, all of the nay saying or discrediting VZW really needs to stop. Not only does it get everyone worked up over something their passionate about, but it does absolutely zero good to anyone.