This post is very spot on, but let me touch up on the Bold. June dates are not a red herring, as Sprint never announced the official date for the device. A lot of dates were being thrown, till they finally reached a tentative date for the device. Hint: It isn't May 22nd.
4G did play another reason to why this phone haven't released yet, but software was the main reason. Final production will have the silver grill with no circles as Jackson stated already. The red grill device with no circles is another pre-production device, as well as some of the silver grilled ones you've seen out in public. Final production is what you, the customers will have. Every device out has a serial number on it, including the one Oprah used. It is not final production. The ones that the Sprint stores are receiving is completed, but they will need to be updated. On second thought, looking at the Engadget/PPCGeeks post, that EVO is another pre-production device.
Device is complete but it isn't gold yet. Testing is still being done. It doesn't stop like that, completed or not. The little ray of hope is that Release Dates change all the time. There is no way I could guarantee that this phone drops on such and such day months ago, because it changes all the time. Late May can happen, but from what I know, it's not even a option yet. This is not speculation or me BS'n you. It's just not there, and l could see the heartbreaks already. I've requested to be temp banned a few times already, with my responses being ignored. I just had to make my final piece.
EVO will not be shipped with Froyo. I'll just leave it as that. It will get a upgrade just like the other devices who are 2.1 capable. Another thing is that the Nexus One with Froyo, will make it a great device. Rooted will still be a icing on the cake. Sprint's version shouldn't be dissed, because of the better Incredible and EVO.
4G: No additional charge. Mobile Hotspot: Additional/3G 5GB capped/4G Unlimited It's being talked that in the future, it may be offered for free.
Conclusion: May 22nd release date doesn't exist. Phone is completed but production is awaiting to be gold. Depending on what happens this early month, Sprint could release the device two weeks after the events, as everything will be done before June. They will need major marketing, but it could wait after the phone is released. Official word is all Sprint need, and it's a wrap. Media will take it from there.
Speculation Post by me
NY and LA are lit up and probably on track for the dates of the Premieres.
The June dates I think where read herrings to throw the competition off
The specs listed are partially true but will be much better than advertised
The device released to stores are not complete devices with full specs, but demos for training and the real specs will be revealed on launch date.
4g is a must for this device to shine.. Yeah the specs are good but it shines on 4g..
4g roll out is going better than expected. (Very Correct)
The I-Phone.. The fake dates are so competitors get relaxed or try to plan an offense/defensive..
I have heard from two sources the phone is complete and ready to ship, but they wanted to be prepared for demand and not be sold out. So the units on hand will be staggering..
No BB advance notice, everyone will get it at the same time to avoid leaks to the public..
I have know for a fact that the 4g coverage is greater than advertised.. It might not all be turned on at one time but the roll out is further along than advertised.
As much as the consumer/you guys want this phone.. Business and industries have been pre-sold on this device and wimax services..
Wimax is going to be huge.. LTE is more hype right now.. Wimax is a home run..
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I got more but will do it in stages