What a rumor ride! Yesterday a major source spread the rumor that the HTC ThunderBolt would have a March 21 release date after the HTC ThunderBolt app appeared on Android Market, which didn't make sense because that is the Monday before CTIA. Today a leaked Verizon document appeared showing a March 17 release date for the HTC ThunderBolt and a March 24 release date for the first Verizon Windows Phone, the HTC Trophy.
Update 03/15/2011 - It is official the HTC ThunderBolt will launch on March 17. Read Review of HTC ThunderBolt Tips an' Tricks Why Buy it Now?
The leaked document also says, "Please note launch dates are subject to change!"
There will, of course, be more rumors when the Best Buy Sunday Circular comes out on Sunday. We will definitely know of a launch by next Tuesday, when Verizon usually announces its releases for the week.
For those who are new to the story, the HTC ThunderBolt is the first 4G LTE smartphone from Verizon Wireless,
and it is expected to have "blazing fast" data speeds. Starting in April, there will be more 4G LTE Android smartphones coming - specifically the Samsung Galaxy S Stealth 4G LTE with a Super AMOLED screen.and HDMI out connector, with no price set yet. Read HTC ThunderBolt vs. Samsung Stealth comparison.
Earlier this week, Verizon's CTO confirmed that 4G LTE will be be ready by the end of the second quarter. Verizon is working through technical issues.
The HTC ThunderBolt is a 4G LTE Android 2.2 smartphone with HTC
Sense,
a 4.3-inch touchscreen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Skype video calling,
mobile hotspots, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other features include a
built-in kickstand, Dolby/SRS surround sound, and DLNA support. It was originally announced at CES in January.
Someone who attended a
Verizon VIP event reported that unlimited data plans will cost $29.99. After a spate of price changes, the latest Best Buy Sunday circular ads show the price of the HTC ThunderBolt with a contract to be $299.99. Best Buy started taking preorders for the HTC ThunderBolt the first week of February.
Read all ThunderBolt by HTC articles. The HTC ThunderBolt is so popular that it appears in Wireless and Mobile News' Top Best Coolest Smartphones So Far in 2011 and Top Ten Best Android an' Droid Phones Now an' Later. See all Wireless and Mobile News' Reviews.
Verizon Wireless new products page.