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Thunderbolt Launch Day Speculation/Rumor Thread
- Thread starter willdogs
- Start date
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- htc thunderbolt
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TxGoat
Guest
I saw the iPad 2 is coming out on the 11th so it makes sense for Verizon to release the TB the next week, unless they believe that releasing it on the 10th, they will get extra traffic in their store for the TB when people come to look at the iPad. I don't see that happening though. I'm sure they'd rather release the TB the week AFTER the iPad launching so they get the traffic to their stores spread out over 2 weeks as opposed to a concentration of traffic next week alone....
Bigdaddy1207
Member
The ipad2 has nothin to do with vz not selling the tb this week. Ipad2 isn't just a vz deal, a lot of places will be selling it, unlike the zoom which is a vz exclusive. So it nas nothin to do with anything.
jbh00jh
Android Enthusiast
maybe not directly, but indirectly. there are only two carriers that sell iphones and the ipad is a complementary product. these carriers will probably see a slight pick up in interest of the iphone simply because of any new apple announcement.
i personally think vzw had to give up their prostate to apple over the iphone and they're still in apple's pocket. apple would have no less than vzw dedicating its resources to making sure the iphone is given the proper marketing, roll out and support. much to the detriment of any other product vzw has in the oven.
there may have been something wrong with the TB or the network that has taken time to be resolved and delayed its release. that said, i'm willing to wager a large sum the resolution of those issues have been impacted by resources being allocated to supporting the apple product line as priority #1. vzw is finding out what it's like to be an apple vendor aka bend over and act like you love it.
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TxGoat
Guest
Keep telling yourself that the iPad's release date has nothing to do with the Thunderbolt's release date. I'm sure that Verizon is still a little embarrassed by the iPhone 4's less than stellar welcome and they are probably justifying it due to the fact that the iPhone 4 had been out on the street several months prior. With the iPad 2 being released by all carriers at the same time, it gives Verizon a chance to show Apple that it can be Apple's flagship partner. Why would Verizon want to introduce another device (a competing company at that) within DAYS of its introduction of the iPad?
My guess as to what's going to happen, Verizon will sell the iPad on the 11th just as it states on its website, and then shortly after the 11th it will announce the Thunderbolt and hope that the additional traffic of the Thunderbolt will bring people in to see the iPad 2. Verizon figures that anyone interested in the Thunderbolt is going into their stores specifically for that device, but they may bring in friends, family who may show some interest in the iPad 2. I'm sure Apple is the preferred partner of Verizon over HTC and will show Apple preferential treatment over HTC with regards to release dates, even though HTC has a larger model lineup for Verizon. But this is all speculation at this point, although I don't see Verizon releasing the Thunderbolt the day before it releases the iPad 2.
rushmore
Extreme Android User
I think the very reason for the current chaos IS due to the iPhone and its lack of performance in sales. Who is kidding who? The CEO and CFO defend iPhone sales, but had full store staff and cases of iPhones waiting for launch day and per them, two thirds sold in preorder.
My guess is the TB always planned for a late March launch and VZW got in a pannick due to good, but not GREAT iPhone sales. Q1 targets could be missed, so they opted to try and do a knee-jerk push to bring the TB in earlier- even though not ready.
Notice that the infamous "TB may be earlier than expected" tweet happened when the media were implying iPhone sales were weaker than expected for the VZW launch? I think the odds of this being a coincidence are close to zero
My guess is the TB always planned for a late March launch and VZW got in a pannick due to good, but not GREAT iPhone sales. Q1 targets could be missed, so they opted to try and do a knee-jerk push to bring the TB in earlier- even though not ready.
Notice that the infamous "TB may be earlier than expected" tweet happened when the media were implying iPhone sales were weaker than expected for the VZW launch? I think the odds of this being a coincidence are close to zero
T
TxGoat
Guest
I think the very reason for the current chaos IS due to the iPhone and its lack of performance in sales. Who is kidding who? The CEO and CFO defend iPhone sales, but had full store staff and cases of iPhones waiting for launch day and per them, two thirds sold in preorder.
My guess is the TB always planned for a late March launch and VZW got in a pannick due to good, but not GREAT iPhone sales. Q1 targets could be missed, so they opted to try and do a knee-jerk push to bring the TB in earlier- even though not ready.
Notice that the infamous "TB may be earlier than expected" tweet happened when the media were implying iPhone sales were weaker than expected for the VZW launch? I think the odds of this being a coincidence are close to zero
Then the question begs to be answered, why did Best Buy start taking pre-orders as soon as it did? I would love to see a full explanation of what actually took place, HTC telling Best Buy to ramp up its advertisement, Verizon telling HTC that its phones aren't performing well with the battery life, Verizon insisting HTC resolve its battery life, Best Buy pressuring HTC and Verizon to push the release date due to Best Buy offering pre-orders. Would make for a great movie on Bravo (or whatever cable channel out there that serves up fluff movies for heterosexuals).
It ought not. HTC built 3 Audiovox phones that I'm aware of.
HTC didn't build some phone and then hope someone would market it. If someone specs an OEM phone and it's a loser then that's who's to blame.
Even if I'm missing something - that's still judging HTC by a device they cranked out a lot of years ago.
HTC sprang up just as Taiwan's semiconductor industry was getting serious and modeling themselves after America's Silicon Valley. Their present products are top notch.
Another counterpoint is Samsung - once considered among the worst consumer products, including their phones and TVs, they ping between #1 and #2 in flat panel TVs in North America and are now one of the Android leaders.
But it's Android - where choice is good. If HTC doesn't suit you, plenty of good options from Samsung, Motorola, Sony and now LG to name a few.
FWIW - my wife had an Audiovox phone - never gave her a lick of trouble.
ECFfighter7232
Android Expert
Yeah I could see a Monday announcement and Thursday release. Just not THIS Monday.
atrain311
Android Expert
Sounds about right to me.
At this point You might be right but stop pretending like you know for sure without having anything to back it up.
BetaMan
Android Enthusiast
I've had the Incredible since it's launch day and I've had NO problems with it at all. It's a GREAT smartphone. If I were going out TODAY to get a phone, given the current phones that are already available to purchase, I'd buy another Incredible.
If the Thunderbolt were out, that might be a different story. Especially since I have preordered one already. However, if, after playing with the Thunderbolt for a few days, if it doesn't meet up to expectations, I'll return it and wait for something else from HTC. I don't care for Motoblur or SamDUNG phones at all. I'm an HTCer... so far. This delima with the Thunderbolt is driving me NUTS!
atrain311
Android Expert
It's crazy, but after thinking about it, I'm not sure if I'm more anticipating the announcement of the release date than the actual release date. It's more like I'm waiting to believe this thing is really going to happen. I think once that happens, I can really focus on the phone itself.
Everyone has a right to an opinion and AF supports that concept and its expression.
The 17th is pretty much a guarantee. BMX originally tweeted that date in the first place. Yeah, I would love for it to release this coming thursday. But realistically speaking thats prob not gonna happen. I just sold my iPhone to game exchange, so the sooner they release it the better. This nokia aint cool...