14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless has just confirmed plans to have the LTE-based ThunderBolt by HTC smartphone available for its customers as soon as Thursday, Mach 17th.
Following a wide range of rumors regarding the availability of this device, confirmation on its release date has finally emerged, along with info on the price tag it should feature at the wireless carrier.
Starting with Thursday, Verizon customers would be able to purchase the handset for $249.99 upon the signing of a new two-year agreement with the carrier, both via Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online.
The new smartphone comes with Google's Android 2.2 Froyo operating system on board and with the latest version of the HTC Sense experience loaded on top of it, as well as with support for Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.
“The ThunderBolt by HTC is equipped with support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail, YouTube and Android Market with thousands of free apps,” Verizon explains.
“Additionally, the ThunderBolt by HTC will feature 4G LTE optimized apps such as EA’s Rock Band, Gameloft’s Let’s Golf, Tunewiki and Bitbop,” the wireless carrier continues.
The specifications list of this smartphone would include a 4.3” WVGA display, an 8-megapixel camera on the back with HD (720p) video recording, 1.3-megapixel front facing camera with video chatting capabilities, as well as 4G LTE connectivity support.
Moreover, it would include a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8 GB of onboard memory, a microSD memory card slot with support for up to 32GB of additional storage space (a 32 GB microSD card pre-installed), Mobile Hotspot capability, and more.
“With the ThunderBolt by HTC, customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package,” the carrier continues.
“Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access and an unlimited 4G LTE data plan start is $29.99 monthly access. Mobile Hotspot allows users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the nation’s fastest wireless network via an application available on the ThunderBolt by HTC.”
The carrier also notes that the Mobile Hotspot feature would be included for free until May 15. starting with that date, users would be able to activate Mobile Hotspot for $20 for 2 GB of data per month.
Update: Apparently, Best Buy would have the device available on March 17th too, also at $249.99, but only until March 20th, when it would make the ThunderBolt $299.99 on contract. Hopefully, the device would remain $199.99 at Wirefly.