HTC and Verizon are in the news once again in the smartphone and tablet markets. According to sources, HTC could be launching 3 tablets in the coming few months with the HTC Flyer expected to hit the market as early as March 2011, that too running the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS and the feature of being able to upgrade to the Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS, as and when it is launched. Verizon made news from the beginning of 2011 taking the prized AT&T possession of the exclusive iPhone market after 3 years of AT&T exclusivity with Apple.
Verizon is known as the largest wireless carrier in the US and in the past has been an aggressive Android OS smartphone player. With the iPhone into its fold, and the Wi-Fi hotspot facilities raging the market, Verizon is definite to change the dynamics in the open market place. Barely, has the iOS 4 made waves in the technology of smartphones, HTC is all set to introduce the HTC Thunderbolt over the Verizon network, with a difference. Unlike the iPhone, the HTC Thunderbolt, the super 4G LTE smartphone, will provide simultaneous voice and data over LTE, out of the box.
After information that Verizon would be launching the HTC Thunderbolt without the mobile hotspot functionality and the Skype video chat feature, there was hype over the next amazing Android device. Wi-Fi hotspots are generally found at public locations like airports, libraries, hospitals, coffee shops, department stores, fuel stations and the like, and this open public network would definitely increase the usability of the phone by allowing sharing by anyone in range. The iPhone not having voice and data simultaneous feature, one is forced to stop the data activity which gets automatically cut on activation of a voice call.
HTC Thunderbolt allows simultaneous voice and data on the 3G network, but we are yet to understand the efficiency of the functionality, based on actual use. Being a first time introduction, skepticism prevails. According to information leaked by Verizon personnel training data, prior to launch, it appears that Verizon may not consider it as a beneficial functionality. In the case of the hotspot also, it appears that this feature can be turned on or off by the user at will.
Specification wise the HTC Thunderbolt sports an impressive QualComm processor, a 4.3 inch WVGA TFT, dual camera 8 MP with auto-focus LED flash and a 1.3 MP front facing camera. Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11 b/g/n, GPS / AGPS, and pre-installed 32 GB micro SD are interesting. Dual mikes, surround sound, compass sensor, G Sensor, Proximity sensor, light sensor, 3.5 mm audio jack, Micro USB, FM radio, LTE SIM Slot, TI audio DSP and a rugged 1400 mAh present an impressive feature packed phone.
The HTC Thunderbolt will be using the Android 2.2 OS along with the HTC Sense 2.0 UI. The wait and watch has begun.
