HTC Thunderbolt: Round and Round it goes!

[Bateluer]

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/02/17/thunderbolt-delayed-here-we-go-again/

Reports all over the place today suggest that the Thunderbolt has been pushed past the 24th launch date and now landing on either the 28th or some time in March. And that’s really all we have to say…just wanted to make sure we kept you all in the loop with us being such a “HypeBeast” and all.

These delays better not be because they're trying to lock it down.

 

[foghorn67]

Doubt it. If the production units have been locked down, its because they have always been that way.
From what can gatjer, its because of some nagging LTE issues. The hand off from 3g to LTE and to and fro is causing headaches with VZW.
The iPhone may be the dollar sign in their eyes. But a reliable LTE data handset is a huge hurdle in their infrastructure goals.

 

[Bateluer]

Doubt it. If the production units have been locked down, its because they have always been that way.
From what can gatjer, its because of some nagging LTE issues. The hand off from 3g to LTE and to and fro is causing headaches with VZW.
The iPhone may be the dollar sign in their eyes. But a reliable LTE data handset is a huge hurdle in their infrastructure goals.

LTE is where their future is. If I recall, they eventually want to phase out their CDMA network in favor of VOIP/LTE? Years away though, even with optimistic predictions.

Need to get this crap ironed out. I want a new phone and the TB should be a damn nice upgrade from my Droid 1, especially if its open. As much as I would love a dual core, I'll let the hardware/software mature a little before I jump on that bandwagon.

 

[foghorn67]

IIRC, you correct.
From what I know, they were testing prototype handsets with LTE in mid December. There were several issues with network safely handing off the handset from from LTE to CDMA. The PM's broke for the holidays and anticipated getting everything sorted out by mid-end of January.
Headaches ensued.
VZW doesn't want their first "4g" handset to fall on its face with negative reviews and press coverage.

 

[prism]

This is ridiculous. I was going to wait for the Thunderbolt, but I'm pretty sure I'm just going to be impatient and get an Iphone.

 

[rcpratt]

Sigh.

 

[Bibble]

IIRC, you correct.
From what I know, they were testing prototype handsets with LTE in mid December. There were several issues with network safely handing off the handset from from LTE to CDMA. The PM's broke for the holidays and anticipated getting everything sorted out by mid-end of January.
Headaches ensued.
VZW doesn't want their first "4g" handset to fall on its face with negative reviews and press coverage.

If this is the case I personally would have no problem with just taking the LTE SIM out until the issue is resolved (presumably by wireless update). I've been waiting for this since November and just need something to get me away from my Storm 1.

Of course, I do understand why Verizon would never want to sell a phone which such problems.

 

[BigDaddyD]

This is really bad news. I don't know what I am going to do. I can't keep waiting forever for the TB if it is going to constantly be pushed back, and I don't want to sign a plan for the Iphone. It really is too bad the Iphone doesn't have a 1yr option. I would have taken that. I really think they should have an option for people that sign new contracts for the Iphone4 that would offer an upgrade option for the new Iphone when it becomes available due to the 2yr contract. I think that would help things.

 

[Bateluer]

I back tracked the 'sources' given in the Droid-Life article. Seems the ultimate source at Droid Attic got it from 'some one who over heard someone else at a meeting'.

The tabloids may have more credibility than this. Hopefully, we see it next week.

 

[BigDaddyD]

I back tracked the 'sources' given in the Droid-Life article. Seems the ultimate source at Droid Attic got it from 'some one who over heard someone else at a meeting'.

The tabloids may have more credibility than this. Hopefully, we see it next week.

I believe it simply because it effects me. I have been waiting to sign with Verizon for a few months now and my decision has wound up hinging on the TB. I am way past my original decision deadline, and can't stand being on AT&T. The longer it gets pushed back, the worse it gets and the more likely I am to do something stupid.

 

[foghorn67]

Patience, my friends. This wait is worth it. Wish I was still on VZW.

 

[Phobic9]

Patience, my friends. This wait is worth it. Wish I was still on VZW.

Just curious... what makes this phone "worth the wait"? I'm not seeing anything special about this phone at all (EVO 4G 2.0 IMO).

 

[Bateluer]

Just curious... what makes this phone "worth the wait"? I'm not seeing anything special about this phone at all (EVO 4G 2.0 IMO).

Better screen than the Evo. 45nm 2nd Generation Snapdragon with Adreno 205 compared to the 65nm 1st Gen Snapdragon and Adreno 200 in the Evo, roughly 2-3x as fast. More RAM than the Evo. Better kick stand than the Evo. Refined version of Sense(if thats your thing). Larger battery than the Evo. LTE.

 

[Exeodus]

Just curious... what makes this phone "worth the wait"? I'm not seeing anything special about this phone at all (EVO 4G 2.0 IMO).

4G wireless tethering for me, (once rooted that is) And some more speed all around would be nice, I am still on my Eris.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

get it and regret it, i wouldnt get the first lte phone out until other people have tested it out. also supposedly lte takes a lot of power, so expect horrible battery life

 

[foghorn67]

get it and regret it, i wouldnt get the first lte phone out until other people have tested it out. also supposedly lte takes a lot of power, so expect horrible battery life

We don't know that yet. Technically, CDMA is as well, could be the same.

 

[MrX8503]

If people are waiting for the Thunderbolt and it keeps getting delayed, why don't people just get the bionic?

 

[Bateluer]

If people are waiting for the Thunderbolt and it keeps getting delayed, why don't people just get the bionic?

I'm sure some will. The TB is likely going to be more open though, while the Bionic will likely have the locked bootloader of the Droid X/2. Means stunted and slow rom development. For those that care anyway.

 

[prism]

Just called Best Buy tech support and they said the Thunderbolt will be available in-store on 2/28.

 

[Bateluer]

Just called Best Buy tech support and they said the Thunderbolt will be available in-store on 2/28.

They give different dates every time.

 

[rcpratt]

Mildly related, true story.

I had a dream last night that I went to the Apple Store (I think) to buy an iPhone because I was sick of waiting for a new Android phone. There were 2 AT&T salesmen standing in the corner with nobody talking to them (yes I know they wouldn't actually be at the Apple Store).

On the way home with my iPhone I was trying to text Swype-style and getting pissed off. And then the ground started shaking and the road started tearing apart earthquake style. And then some lava crap started spurting out of the earthquake cracks. As I was trying to dodge it, I wrecked my car. Somewhere during the process the glass front of my iPhone cracked. Then I woke up.

TLDR; I got an iPhone in my dream and it caused the world to end.

 

[ponyo]

Mildly related, true story.

I had a dream last night that I went to the Apple Store (I think) to buy an iPhone because I was sick of waiting for a new Android phone. There were 2 AT&T salesmen standing in the corner with nobody talking to them (yes I know they wouldn't actually be at the Apple Store).

On the way home with my iPhone I was trying to text Swype-style and getting pissed off. And then the ground started shaking and the road started tearing apart earthquake style. And then some lava crap started spurting out of the earthquake cracks. As I was trying to dodge it, I wrecked my car. Somewhere during the process the glass front of my iPhone cracked. Then I woke up.

TLDR; I got an iPhone in my dream and it caused the world to end.

If you're dreaming about a cellphone and mobile OS, maybe you're overly obsessed and should stop reading this or other phone forums.