Thunderbolt Pre Announcement Waiting Room & Availability Thread.

[prakash99]

Also: on JImmy Kimmel Live, when they show the special JKL-commercial for Verizon's 4G network, Guillermo (or SuperGuillermo) is shown holding what looks like HTC Thunderbolt.

 

[prakash99]

I don't know if you guys saw, but the Tbolt is in Lady Gaga's new music video, embedded marketing attempt by Verizon/HTC. Took me a while to see though.

When there is a scantily clad Lady Gaga prancing around provocatively, who the hell is looking at the thunderbolt?

 

[jonhcox]

Sorry to say, but you are not 100% on the mark. Verizon has costs associated with their 4G rollout and they need to start to capitalize on it. Right now USB modems are likely not doing it. 4G phones will push that demand faster.

As for the public "wasn't supposed to see the internal date" well guess what we did and Verizon cannot hide from that fact. Verizon has FAILED to block one of their national authorized resellers from promoting a phone for over a month now that is not available. The ads keep coming from BB and I can tell you people are in fact asking for the phone and are being told all sorts of BS answers.

It is only rumor now that the alleged 3G to 4G handoff is still an issue, frankly I don't see that as fact any longer. Loaner phones have gone out to users in 3G and 4G markets and these phones are in fact with Verizon corporate accounts not Verizon testers.

So the only fact that remains is pricing on the data plan, Verizon can announce the phone and still screw around with the data plan right up to launch.

Its no longer about the network, its about how much to gouge for access to it.

Actually, I think you are missing the mark. One thing to consider is that when VZN began the dialog of LTE integration a budget was forecasted. Then once the project is confirmed, money is allocated and set aside. A lot of the work on the system is handled by subcontractors.

"As for the public '"wasn't supposed to see the internal date"' well guess what we did and Verizon cannot hide from that fact." VZN could care less how far out Best Buy decides to promote a new handset if there are issues that would jeopardize a successful LTE rollout. As GGPIKE stated, release dates for new product are not static and can change continuously based on dialog between various departments. The big picture is LTE, not the HTC Thunderbolt. HTC paid VZN to have the privilege of being the first handset to be released on their LTE network.

When VZN delayed the phone, they told resellers that it was delayed. No other description was provided or rarely, is given. Nine out of ten times salespeople- much less VZN regional store managers- are NOT privy to any more detailed information and they tend to create their own reasons and then relay them to their customers. Which is how many of these release rumors snowball into frustration.

I find it humorous that people are up in arms over decisions that they will never be abe to control. If they want to "gouge" you, they will- it's that simple. They know that enough of you will pay for it. If you decide to protest by not buying the phone, they won't care. Get 200-300 people to sign a petition of protest, they still won't care. The phone will be released when they are ready. Not when people on forums get upset and threaten not to buy one- they will sell enough without you.

 

[Its TwiX]

This delay does impact VZW business. They're losing customers (the handfull) on these forums who are tired of waiting. But think of it in these terms, when a brand new customer walks into a Best Buy to buy a new phone, they're either looking for an iPhone or the best phone that they can get for what they can afford.

What differentiates one phone from another? Lots of things but a big thing is going to be the "new" 4G networks that AT&T, T Mobile, Spring, and Verizon are carrying.

Now, you can walk into that Best Buy and see a 4G phone from EVERY SINGLE major carrier EXCEPT Verizon. If you don't think that Verizon is losing out on potential business because of this, you're right. Also, the customer's ignorance of Tbolts impending release because they're going to head over to AT&T, or Sprint, or TMobile and get one of those awesome new 4G Smart Phones that will beat their existing Verizon phone to a pulp.

This isn't going to put Verizon out of business, but these delays are hurting it's bottom line. Their 4G LTE network had better be bad ass -- because if it's just on par with it's competitors, VZW is a day late, and a dollar short.

AT&T uses HSPA which is an evolved 3G(no 4G radio), Wimax is a joke, Tmobile is... Tmobile.

Verizon doesn't care if YOU jump ship because of their network. They will have the best 4G out there (if it's not insanely buggy or drains the battery to 2-3 hours of usage) and they know it.

I'm waiting for CTIA to decide if the Thunderbolt is truly "fixed". Should be enough time for people to give reviews of it. Then based on what devices are at CTIA, I'll decide how long of a contract to get.

 

[SpaceHippie]

When there is a scantily clad Lady Gaga prancing around provocatively, who the hell is looking at the thunderbolt?

Umm i'd rather look at the TB than another dude

 

[droid_14]

its HTC's fault. BB wouldn't release the circular with the ad, and pre order information , and have the accessories for the device already, IF they weren't told they were going to get the phone. its coming, but remember, HTC is not necessarily known for being dependable...

incredible: released on time, BUT seemed like every store had only 3 of them. Then it faded it out, and came back as a "cheap" version (ex/ AMOLED to lcd screen)

EVO: same thing, except the phone hasn't faded out DUH! lol ...but during the release it was damn near impossible to get your hands on one, even with bb preorders

I work in the business, not gonna disclose more than that , but ive been in the cell phone game for about 3 years now, and I LOVE my incredible (amoled version : p) but HTC for some reason think its "cool" to be fashionably late to its OWN party

 

[Droid800]

its HTC's fault. BB wouldn't release the circular with the ad, and pre order information , and have the accessories for the device already, IF they weren't told they were going to get the phone. its coming, but remember, HTC is not necessarily known for being dependable...

Considering that Verizon is where the phone comes from, HTC couldn't be a source of any problems.

incredible: released on time, BUT seemed like every store had only 3 of them. Then it faded it out, and came back as a "cheap" version (ex/ AMOLED to lcd screen)

That's because it was an extremely popular phone constrained by supplies of AMOLED screens. The only reason why it kept selling out was because of the screen. (and the superLCD is no 'cheap' screen.)

EVO: same thing, except the phone hasn't faded out DUH! lol ...but during the release it was damn near impossible to get your hands on one, even with bb preorders

The first phone in the US with 4G, AND the first true powerhouse Android phone, and you're surprised it was hard to get? That isn't HTC's fault; its Sprint's for not ordering enough.

I work in the business, not gonna disclose more than that , but ive been in the cell phone game for about 3 years now, and I LOVE my incredible (amoled version : p) but HTC for some reason think its "cool" to be fashionably late to its OWN party

Except they aren't. None of what you mentioned was their fault.

 

[panicprone77]

I've been away for a few days and I don't feel like reading lots of pages so could someone catch me up on any news about the release date since Friday afternoon if there is any. Thanks.

 

[LinxuSx]

I've been away for a few days and I don't feel like reading lots of pages so could someone catch me up on any news about the release date since Friday afternoon if there is any. Thanks.

I don't think there's any new information except that for now it is planned to come out on March 17th

 

[wedge40]

I've been away for a few days and I don't feel like reading lots of pages so could someone catch me up on any news about the release date since Friday afternoon if there is any. Thanks.

Same date as always.
By the end of Q1.. March 31st.

 

[pokerjoe150]

AT&T uses HSPA which is an evolved 3G(no 4G radio), Wimax is a joke, Tmobile is... Tmobile.

Verizon doesn't care if YOU jump ship because of their network. They will have the best 4G out there (if it's not insanely buggy or drains the battery to 2-3 hours of usage) and they know it.

I'm waiting for CTIA to decide if the Thunderbolt is truly "fixed". Should be enough time for people to give reviews of it. Then based on what devices are at CTIA, I'll decide how long of a contract to get.

"AT&T uses HSPA which is an evolved 3G(no 4G radio), Wimax is a joke, Tmobile is... Tmobile."

Perfectly explained. Verizon has the best network out there, and their 4G LTE will be 10 times faster then any of the so called 4g's out there.

 

[leehblanc]

"AT&T uses HSPA which is an evolved 3G(no 4G radio), Wimax is a joke, Tmobile is... Tmobile."

Perfectly explained. Verizon has the best network out there, and their 4G LTE will be 10 times faster then any of the so called 4g's out there.

You guys know that. I know that. Joe consumer sees "4G" and has no idea that there is a difference.

EDIT: Do you think we see a press release from Basking Ridge, NJ in the next hour or so? I don't, but I certainly wouldn't mind.

 

[thedeceiver]

"AT&T uses HSPA which is an evolved 3G(no 4G radio), Wimax is a joke, Tmobile is... Tmobile."

Perfectly explained. Verizon has the best network out there, and their 4G LTE will be 10 times faster then any of the so called 4g's out there.

They have the best 3G network out there (I guess -- although I have terrible reception and speeds in the Houston Metro area). However, 3G is so yesterday... everyone else has 4G but Verizon.

And whose to say it's 10 times faster than the other 4G networks? We'll see.

 

[dave4100]

No reason to announce a release today. It's to early.

 

[thedeceiver]

EDIT: Do you think we see a press release from Basking Ridge, NJ in the next hour or so? I don't, but I certainly wouldn't mind.

You new here buddy?

 

[lovy]

You new here buddy?

Lol....Good Morning everyone

 

[prakash99]

Lol....Good Morning everyone

Good Morning. Welcome back to the madhouse.

 

[lovy]

Good Morning. Welcome back to the madhouse.

Thank You.. I love it here

 

[roxy surf]

Is it the 17th yet? My BB Tour decided commit and drown itself now I'm using a friends piece of crap, oval shaped, plastic phone, I don't even know the name of it...(battery life is amazing on it, lol) all i can do on it is talk and text and that makes me panicky, lol...maybe this experience with a VERY dumbphone will make me a stronger person...

 

[blizz419]

why is everyone now so certain of the 17th, did something throw the 10th rumor out of the water and i know theres been no official date yet so is it just because we have no official date yet and 10th is to close so everyone's just moving on to the next thursday?