Thunderbolt Pre Announcement Waiting Room & Availability Thread.

[thedeceiver]

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.

I think there is a difference between an "soft/silent" launch and an invisible launch. I mean, at some point they have to acknowledge something about what's actually going on. They have to communicate plans, they have to say something.

Some VZW chats say 2/14, some say they don't have any information.

I agree completely with the idea they'll want to ramp up slowly on their brand new 4G but there is a difference between ramping up slowly and not saying anything.

 

[Bobman]

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.

Boy I hope you're right. I don't care how much publicity it gets, as long as I can get one. I would have really thought they would at least mention it. I'm afraid the 2/14 was the original date and now it has gotten pushed back. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Mustang7303]

I think there is a difference between an "soft/silent" launch and an invisible launch. I mean, at some point they have to acknowledge something about what's actually going on. They have to communicate plans, they have to say something.

Some VZW chats say 2/14, some say they don't have any information.

I agree completely with the idea they'll want to ramp up slowly on their brand new 4G but there is a difference between ramping up slowly and not saying anything.

I remember rolling out Xfinity 2 Go, it went three months on a soft-launch. It was only promoted through calling in and being lucky enough to speak with one of the care agent trained about the product. It was a slow roll out to ensure the process end to end was solid. Specifically getting devices provisioned for dual networks accurately, consistently, and before the device was in the hands of the customer.

Sure VZW's whole game is wireless, but there many things going on and you dont want to end up spread to thin creating a inconsistent customer experience for the cash crop that will be the iPhone. AT&T wouldn't know what to do with themselves if VZW gets bad press about the iPhone roll out.

 

[TBolt2011]

Even the "Get Started" button is gone now. I give up. v.v

 

[thedeceiver]

I remember rolling out Xfinity 2 Go, it went three months on a soft-launch. It was only promoted through calling in and being lucky enough to speak with one of the care agent trained about the product. It was a slow roll out to ensure the process end to end was solid. Specifically getting devices provisioned for dual networks accurately, consistently, and before the device was in the hands of the customer.

Sure VZW's whole game is wireless, but there many things going on and you dont want to end up spread to thin creating a inconsistent customer experience for the cash crop that will be the iPhone. AT&T wouldn't know what to do with themselves if VZW gets bad press about the iPhone roll out.

All of those points make perfect sense. It's certainly feasible... but it would seem to me that VZW is simply doing things in a linear fashion with this. They don't seem to recognize there is pent up demand for the Thunderbolt to the point where they should communicate something.

I do agree that all things in VZW's world are behind the iPhone, and more than likely they are going to wait until they are sure it's going fine before the next device. I would not expect an announcement until Feb 14... with availability 1-2 weeks later. That's consistent with other reports and makes sense to have a window between launches.

 

[funguy123us]

You need to try to purchase smartphone. When you do that Chat will pop up.. keep trying, you will get it

 

[MarksFX4]

Tweeted from VZW
VerizonWireless
"HTC Thunderbolt: no updates to report. We'll share what's real, when it's real, directly"

 

[Edwill86]

Twitter

"VerizonWireless Verizon Wireless
HTC Thunderbolt: no updates to report. We'll share what's real, when it's real, directly. Here."

I guess we are finally getting through to Verizon that we want info...even if they keep giving us the shove off.

 

[green77]

This was a tweet by VZW

"VerizonWireless HTC Thunderbolt: no updates to report. We'll share what's real, when it's real, directly. Here."

I guess we'll know when we know.

Sorry Marks and ED, I was posting at the same time.

 

[Edwill86]

^ lol we are just all trolling for info at this point

 

[MarksFX4]

Feels like either this phone needs to be released or I need to get a life

 

[Edwill86]

^ I know its terrible! lol

 

[juskrs51]

Tweeted from VZW
VerizonWireless
"HTC Thunderbolt: no updates to report. We'll share what's real, when it's real, directly"

So was the pre-order at Bestbuy real? or did we all just go get a 50$ gift card for poops and giggles and a receipt that says we have preordered the Thunderbolt? Because they didn't share that with us directly, it was leaked, then in the flyers.

I wonder what its like for all those VZW exec's to have Apples hand up their rears commanding them like puppets right now.

 

[htowngator]

I had to really laugh at that BS tweet from VZW. You have no info? GTFO. That's ridiculous.

We can pre-order the darn thing at Best Buy but you have NOTHING? No info at all? Pricing? LTE options? etc etc.

Unbelievable.

 

[racinbill]

Just got a call back from Verizon. I had called customer care last week and she told me she would call me this week. She said the JUST had a meeting and it is definately coming out in February When I said I would get it from Best Buy since they are confirming the 14th she told me to be careful because Best Buy has the Thunderbolt for another carrier and she wanted to be sure I got the one for Verizon.

She was very nice, and a sweet voice, but come on...the Thunderbolt on another carrier? sigh

 

[upz3]

She was very nice, and a sweet voice, but come on...the Thunderbolt on another carrier? sigh

Hahaha that was great. It's pretty much the 14th, 24th, or 28th. Only way to cross them off is to get to those dates at this point.

 

[green77]

I guess the BB pre-sale is a BIG secret

 

[htowngator]

Just got a call back from Verizon. I had called customer care last week and she told me she would call me this week. She said the JUST had a meeting and it is definately coming out in February When I said I would get it from Best Buy since they are confirming the 14th she told me to be careful because Best Buy has the Thunderbolt for another carrier and she wanted to be sure I got the one for Verizon.

She was very nice, and a sweet voice, but come on...the Thunderbolt on another carrier? sigh

lol, count that one out then

 

[thedeceiver]

Just got a call back from Verizon. I had called customer care last week and she told me she would call me this week. She said the JUST had a meeting and it is definately coming out in February When I said I would get it from Best Buy since they are confirming the 14th she told me to be careful because Best Buy has the Thunderbolt for another carrier and she wanted to be sure I got the one for Verizon.

She was very nice, and a sweet voice, but come on...the Thunderbolt on another carrier? sigh

Bet she thought you were talking about the iPhone.

 

[green77]

Bet she thought you were talking about the iPhone.

Good point