Well now, here’s a bit of news concerning the release of the HTC Thunderbolt, apparently the Android 2.2 Froyo packing smartphone is ready for release and in fact is already in Verizon stores, but still isn’t up for sale yet.
Apparently this is something that is causing a bit of friction between the Big Red and HTC. According to an article over on Android Community, the guys over at Sentnation have had a text conversation with a Verizon insider who speaks of threats from HTC to Verizon if the release of the HTC Thunderbolt didn’t happen soon.
Here’s what apparently transpired during the text conversation…
“Me (7:04 PM): What’s up? Not happening today?
Source (9:51 PM): Things are being finalized. We’re shipping to stores tomorrow which is ahead of schedule. [HTC] wanted it announced days ago. I think either tomorrow or Monday/tues we’ll go public with the news. Phone’s been ready forever
Me (10:00 PM): Sounds like hell. March 10 still?
Source (10:10 PM): 10th is right. Just got off a conference call with [Some partner] things are getting chippy around here. Someone’s more impatient than you — We heard HTC threatened to pull all its ads if we don’t announce a date before Saturday
Me (10:14 PM): Holy ****. Think it’ll be announced soon then?
Source (10:27 PM): I hope so I don’t need that ****”
Thus it would appear if said conversation is true, that tension is running high between HTC and Verizon over the HTC Thunderbolt release, so perhaps Verizon will actually push out the HTC Thunderbolt on the 10th, either way the Big Red probably has some explaining to do to HTC, but all the customer wants is to see the HTC Thunderbolt released.
