[Unconfirmed] Thunderbolt in early February

[Phil Nickinson]

This got passed along, reportedly is from the VP of Operations for Verizon. If anyone can confirm it (pics would be awesome), you know where to find me.

I expect to receive this information in the coming weeks and will relay to the field when available. I?d like to stress that while we fully expect this to be a highly sought after device, there are still many other exciting handsets in the current lineup as well as some great new 4G handsets coming over the next few months?the HTC Thunderbolt being the first 4G/LTE handset to launch in early Feb ?11. Please continue to drive new activations and upgrades, and deliver exceptional customer service?as you all currently do.
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[russell5]

That would be awesome i want a new phone!!! NOW!!!

 

[Stang68]

Doubt it, but would be nice!

 

[durangojim#AC]

We know (or can assume) they're not going to release it the week of the 10th due to the iPhone. I'd also be surprised if they released it the following week as they're going to want to hype the hell out of the iphone's release. That would mean releasing it the first week of Feb or the last as others have said. I would imagine VZW will want to do a pretty big marketing push to show their first LTE handset (or handsets if the Sammy is released as well) which leads me to believe it will be sold the first week of February. My rationale is that even areas that don't have LTE will get the marketing push just to try to get people in the door at local Verizon stores at which point the reps will then try to sell the people on the iPhone, kind of a bait and switch type of ploy. I think Verizon wants huge intial sales of the iPhone and isn't expecting much in terms of LTE handset sales, as evidenced by their relatively weak LTE handset offering. I think their LTE push will begin in earnest next Christmas season.

 

[Comineeyeaha]

And I just bought 2 fascinates, convinced myself wife that we should keep them, and JUST rooted and debloated it. My 30 days is up on the 7th, I should go for it.

 

[SUB-dawg]

Phil if you are right then you can have my Samsung Alias 2!

 

[I am Fake Jesus]

i hope this is right. i dont no if i can wait for march as the other rumors were suggesting. this crappy iphone an att is driving me insane. id rather use my work cell phone...moto flip phone. sad

 

[corn4ahead]

i cant wait. I have been needing a new phone for forever, and i need it NOW. My env3 SUCKS!

 

[kxs783kms]

A little pricing info. as I just got word. $250 on a two year contract and $319(+ tax)on a one year contact. As soon as I have a release date and full price, I'll post.

 

[thebizz]

Hmm that's a little high but ok I can deal with 319

 

[zero neck]

off topic, but you think the current vzw lineup is going to drop in price with the release of tbolt?

 

[corn4ahead]

A little pricing info. as I just got word. $250 on a two year contract and $319(+ tax)on a one year contact. As soon as I have a release date and full price, I'll post.

What's your source?

and damn, I was hoping 200 out of the gate.

 

[ythot26]

250 on a 2 year contract isn't bad... plus I'll have a discounted upgrade and both my parents work for a university that has a partnership with verizon so thats more discounts lol

here's to hoping its coming out soon..

 

[mclarryjr]

I sure hope the release is in February and won't mind paying $319 for a 1year deal.

 

[corn4ahead]

I sure hope the release is in February and won't mind paying $319 for a 1year deal.

Why go one year? advantages?

 

[Raptor007]

Posted over at Droidforums.net

User CH3RRY over at DroidForums.net had these two posts, his friend works at Verizon Wireless and was attending a large event held by Verizon Wireless about a big announcement.

On 1-17-11 he posted

Verizon rents out Comerica Theater for "meeting"
OK, so...Verizon wireless rented out Comerica Theather (formerly Dodge Theater) for a staff meeting here in Arizona.
Let me tell you guys, I've seen Megadeth and Children of Bodem at this theater and this place is FRIGGIN HUGE! Not to mention Ozzy will be playing there soon.

Why would they need to rent a place of this size for a meeting? And why not just have meetings at the stores?
What are they wanting to talk to the AZ Verizon employee's about?
I swear, I'm about to punch my friend in the face (LOL he works for verizon) for telling me this and getting my hopes up. He refuses to tell me anything but says it's gonna be big.

ERRRR!!!! I'll keep you guys updated on what I can get out of my friend.

Then he followed up on this post with this post (today) 1/19/11

Here's the update about the meeting at the Comerica Theatre...
HTC reps said that the TB release date will coinside with the iphone. Their intentions are to release the phone on the same day because Verizon wants to see the competition between the two phones and how well each of them do. So with that being the case we're looking at a February 10th release date (Thursday).

Now, as for 4G and the pricing...they are still keeping plan pricing and info hush-hush with the employees also which is really frustrating everyone. They let everyone use and play with the TB's but didn't have them running on the 4G network that day. My friend told me he will keep pushing the issue with his boss to find out what the big deal is about keeping it all quiet. He'll tell me more when he finds out.

Not sure if you guys are interested in anything else, but if you are, let me know and I'll find out everything I can for you.
PS...The Thunderbolt is AMAZING...worth the wait...

Head to Head competition is what we have going on. I am putting my iPod Touch 4G and DInc out the door tomorrow and getting my funds ready. Apple's attitude is nothing touches their phone so why not.

 

[kxs783kms]

What's your source?

Verizon worker who was able to see the pricing that had lined up for it. Still no 4G pricing or release date, but she was able to confirm those prices.

 

[mclarryjr]

Why go one year? advantages?

So you won't have to wait 2 years to be eligible for a new device.

 

[ythot26]

thanks for the post raptor, hopefully he's right and it comes out in just a few weeks...

 

[corn4ahead]

The 10th!!!!, thats so much sooner than i thought. OMG, I am so pumped.