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HTC Talks About How They Were Inspired to Make the HTC Thunderbolt [Video]

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In a move that’s a bit uncharacteristic of HTC, they’ve gone ahead and produced a 4 minute video of the Thunderbolt team sharing what inspired them to make the device. Many will argue that HTC devices are products of a cookie-cutter research and design process, but they beg to differ. Check their anecdote out in the video above. Bonus footage: below is a new ad from them that you may see roaming the airwaves sooner or later.

Quentyn Kennemer
The "Google Phone" sounded too awesome to pass up, so I bought a G1. The rest is history. And yes, I know my name isn't Wilson.

HTC Thunderbolt Gets Root

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79 Comments

  1. I actually don’t see them doing anything innovative since my Nexus One. As much as I appreciate a better speaker I may use couple of times a month all they’ve done since is upgrade components: faster CPU, more ram etc..
    Everybody complains about Samsung at least they strive for slimmer/lighter phones, lower power screen (that consumes >50% of battery). Given iOS sucks big time no matter what I’m starting to admire Apple’s strive for cutting edge hardware. Sure they are more expensive, but with Android being free OS I think the game plan was to have better hardware and the lowest possible prices. Screw Moto for trying to change the game plan, always had HTC at the top of the list.

  2. Hey “dick” yarrell, how does the words “not only are they an existing leader, but they will continue to lead” sound to you? Considering your view of htc/sprint relations.

  3. No body cares!

  4. To the TB just copycat for the EVO, nothing much newer..
    And I believe VZW did paid big money to HTC to do this commercial.. If Htc realy existing for the new products they`r making the Evo was the first phone with 4.3in screen and 1GH..And Htc never did what they doing now..They doing it just for the money…I hope am wrong but let see if they`ll make a good video for the flyer tab,which it has 1.5GH and more feature than the TB.

  5. Well if they take the time to make an HTC phone why don’t they try to upgrade and add features people want like HDMI out. Duel Core processor and more ram. Stuff like that would sell this thing out of the water!!!

  6. Iphone for live! you obviously care enough to come to an Android page to post something useless.

  7. Whatever…
    This phone is a swing and miss.
    Verizon will have this in the discount bin in 60 days.
    $99 or buy 1 get 2 free…before Memorial day…wait and see.

  8. FOR SOME REASON I THOUGH THE INSPIRATION CAME FROM THE HTC EVO! HAHAHA.

  9. Well, guess you thought wrong. This phone outclasses the EVO in every aspect.

  10. Will always love HTC they are the best NO DOUBT and come Tuesday we will EXACTLY how much better our beloved Htc Evo 4g has become when the new Htc Evo2/3d will be introduced at CTIA for sprint. THE BEST HAS BEEN SAVED FOR THE BEST ON 3–22–2011 We will all see the best device FROM HTC for 2011. The Granddaddy of all carriers the place it all started has again BEEN PLACED ON THE MAP… Now I know the USUAL PRICK HEADS will chime in after me @ksizzle9.. @sqiddy20.. @tim242..@Dj… @NIsme… @MensahWatts All these people are just plain old DRINKING VERIZON KOOL AID with there PROPED UP NETWORK before the Iphone and before the Htc Thunderbolt WHAT DID THEY HAVE???? Can’t even remember can you…@ksizzle9… You can SHOLVE YOUR IPHONE4 WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE YOU ANDROID TRAITOR who dumps ANDROID for IPHONE what an ass… VERIZON SUCKS

  11. Richard, sprint sucks compared. Get over it. Even from the mouths of htc, verizon is the leader.

  12. The Thunderdud is nothing more than a WELFARE VERSION OF MY KING EVO 4G.. Thunderdud missing so many features that is a reflection of the fact that HTC knows verizon is not really serious about android so they peddle an hand me down product give it 256more ram than the granddaddy and update the processor to MSM8255 which Wasn’t that great to begin with… Come Tuesday March 22nd come see exactly how HTC feels about SPRINT when there FLAGSHIP DEVICE IS UNVAILED THE HTC EVO2/3D that will have 1gig of ram Qualcomm Dualcore Snapdragon Processor MSM8660 THIS DEVICE WILL BITCH SLAP THE THUNDERDUD SENSELESS.. Verizon is garbage and so is there lineup in 2011… Sprint will have Evo2, Atrix 4g, Nexus S 4g, Evo 4g, Evo shift 4g, Samsung Epic 4g, Xoom4g, Evo View 4g, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4g, Blackberry playbook 4g and on and on…. What does Verizon have???????? Check with me later VERIZON LOSSERS…. @NIsme….. Your a BUM

  13. Keep going on rumors, making shit up. Idiot. Ohh, and it isnt the phones that make a carrier, its their network. For sprint, it means they are sub par. For verizon, it means they are the fastest farthest reaching network in the US. Facts, not your fiction.

  14. i feel this phone is a 2 little to late
    ive been on 4g for about 6 months now …ok not “true” 4g but its the speed that matters so whats the diffrence ? mt4g avg 6mbs up peak 11mbs
    it really is just a verizon evo
    and thats what it should have been called the damn evo 2
    i still have yet to find a phone that makes me wanna upgrade my mt4g cmon htc dont let us down with the pyramid

    p.s. i want glasses free 3d

  15. @NIsme….Let’s see what HTC will be saying on Tuesday in Orlando Florida, Pretty sure Verizon or that CRAPPY THUNDERDUD won’t be thought off at all. I know your hurt how OUTDATED YOUR DEVICE BECAME SO QUICKLY IT WON’T EVEN BE THE BEST ON YOUR OWN NETWORK 2 MONTH’S FROM NOW… Just like all those DOPES that brought the USELESS OLD IPHONE4 ON VERIZON last month old hard ware APPLE saw you lossers coming what a bunch of iphone junkies… Thunderdud is old news already. Tmobile will have the Htc Pyramid and Sprint will have the code name Htc Shooter Aka Htc Evo2 Those products will shine in 2011 feel sorry for you

  16. and nisme? i agree great coverage but how are they the fastest when they dont have a single 4g phone out yet ?

  17. Ohh, and I guarentee I make more then a cook at a soup kitchen(you), idiot.

  18. This proves HTC is getting a bit full of themselves lately, and think that every move they make is innovative and people will like whatever they release. Don’t get lazy, HTC! And start using Tegra chips, too or you’ll fall behind using only Qualcomm chips, especially when Tegra 3 will be out. You should be working already on making Tegra 3 products. Dual core 1.2Ghz and 1.5 Ghz chips from Qualcomm won’t compete with it.

  19. Revs, they do have a phone. Pay attention. They ARE the fastest.

  20. This thread is about that phone, btw. Look back a few articles and be impressed by the speed.

  21. Thats because verizon bring out phones faster than sprint. Sprint has 2 “decent” android phones. Verizon has 6. Out now, not rumored. Now, piss off.

  22. @NIsme… Piss on you and your Thunderdud you losser your just like all the other knobs on here.. Go take your shitty thunderbolt and go kick rock in the ocean.. Come Tuesday March 22nd HTC WILL UNVAIL THERE FLAGSHIP DEVICE FOR ANDROID AND THAT DEVICE WILL RESIDE ON SPRINT JUST LIKE THE GRANDDADDY OF 4G DID BACK IN 2010… Here look at this all my Evo lovers.. @NIsme… Piss on you and your Thunderdud you losser your just like all the other knobs on here.. Go take your shitty thunderbolt and go kick rock in the ocean.. Come Tuesday March 22nd HTC WILL UNVAIL THERE FLAGSHIP DEVICE FOR ANDROID AND THAT DEVICE WILL RESIDE ON SPRINT JUST LIKE THE GRANDDADDY OF 4G DID BACK IN 2010… @NIsme… Piss on you and your Thunderdud you losser your just like all the other knobs on here.. Go take your shitty thunderbolt and go kick rock in the ocean.. Come Tuesday March 22nd HTC WILL UNVAIL THERE FLAGSHIP DEVICE FOR ANDROID AND THAT DEVICE WILL RESIDE ON SPRINT JUST LIKE THE GRANDDADDY OF 4G DID BACK IN 2010…

  23. Idiot.

  24. It just a oversize HTC incredible.

  25. Ohh, dont be too mad I called you out for telling people to “get a real job” while being a cook at a soup kitchen. You could still be a transient or “bum” as you put it.

  26. I think this is the most immature comment thread yet on Phandroid yet

  27. Meh. Holding out for the Pyramid, if anything.

  28. @NIsme…. 6 4g phones on Verizon where are they

  29. Did I say 6 4g phones? No. Now, again, sprint has 2 decent android phones, sprint has 2. I dont get verizon 4g, but I dont get ANYTHING from sprint. Why? Because their coverage SUCKS. That is why sprint sucks.

  30. Verizon has 6*. One of wich is twice as fast as both of sprints.

  31. Lemme put it this way. Id consider the person that has 5 corvettes and his own personal formula one car richer than the guy with 2 low end porsches.

  32. really nsime? becasue my friend owns 5 verizon stores and we have yet 2 see a thunderbolt arrive ……..sprint has3 4gphones t mobile has 3 4g phones att even has some …verizonnnnn where are uuuuuuuuuuu cmda shit network

  33. i agree simon i hope pyramid isnt a letdown like this plunderbolt

  34. Especcially when you consider that the guy with the vettes/f1 can drive them anywhere, while the porches are stuck to small sidestreets.

  35. nslme cars? seriously ? anyone can sign n drive a car they show no indication of financial stability

  36. Revs, read the fucking article. For having a friend that owns five stores, you really are out of the loop. Guess what, he should. Jave kmow for the past month, he wont see this phone.

  37. Way to fail, revs. Twice now. In the same thread.

  38. lol i work in VERMONT the 2nd least populous state in the country ..middle of no wheree i had switched from t mobile 3g slide to droid 2 verizon hoping for better coverage in the area and had to switch back because it was infact much worse so dont give me that coverage bull shit im sick of it …
    side note will verizon phones finally be able to make calls and surf the web with the new 4g network? because this was the other reason i switched back 2 tmoibile ..i enjoy using my phone as a hotspot as i am doing right now but whats the point if i cant receive calls ..plus its faster and FREE on tm mt4g

  39. And, like to see you “sign and drive” any of those cars.

  40. Revs, look at the maps before you say “dont give me that coverage shit”. It kinda makes you look like an ass. I live in NY, relatively dense area. No sprint, no tmobile. Not even an option.

  41. every chevy dealer in ny has a corvette ..pretty simple

  42. Ohh, now I know your full of it. Tmobile, faster, w/o 4g. Bullshit.

  43. where in ny? every major part of ny is covered on tmobile check there coverage map and i have driven from nyc to niagra falls on numerous occasions and did not notice a bad spot along 89 or 90

  44. So, go “sign and drive” one. Good luck. It wont happen. Even if YOU owned five vzw stores.

  45. nsmle my mt4g is a 4g phone and yes my mtslide averaged a higher mbs up than my droid 2 it really depends on the area and time of day my droid 2 and my mothers droid x get .5-1.5 my 3g slide get1.0-2.0 and my mt4g 4.0 -11.0 mbs down but never seems to break 2.0 up its almost like its capped

  46. Okay, now you know better then me about what is available here. Even their coverage map says your wrong. Fuck off, done with you.

  47. i dont know how that sounds crazy to you ? when you have built up decent credit you CAN literally sing your name and leave with a car that day !..when i bought my honda i put 4k down and singed my name for the other 22k …

  48. Hell there is more white then green for the whole country.

  49. ur a sad sad man …enjoy your crappy cdma network and slow internet speeds because if you cant get sprint or t mobile in the middle of nowhere we know for a fact u are not geting 4G coverage by verizon lol get an iphone

  50. Key there, you put 4 grand down. And thats a honda. Imagine a car at triple the cost. Thats not signing and driving. Sry, you fail everytime you speak.

  51. I so do not get the hype about this phone. This phone has the exact same hardware (processor, ram, gpu, screen) as my MyTouch 4g which came out almost 6 months ago. Sure it has a 8mp camera instead of a 5, but so did my Evo and I can’t tell the difference (lens size needs to increase to notice a difference). This phone should have been dual-core, but they already delayed it too much to get a current chip in it. This phone is marketed to the stupid people that think the Evo is still the most technically advanced phone.

  52. Ahh, ill get verizons lte before i get anything from sprint/tmobile. Again, you fail.

  53. the money down means nothing u can sign your name and leave with the car and a much higher monthly payment ………i know for a fact i can because i was looking at a truck that cost 50000 with nothing down ona 60 month term chase approved me but the monthly payment was 1000$ my point is car dealerships could care less they get ppaid either way so any ratard with no credit or decent credit can walk in and out with a bmw or benz which is why u see jabronis drivin them all the time lol

  54. I don’t understand why this phone was even released. It’s a nearly one-year old design. It’s too similar to the evo to be called revolutionary, or even worth buying. If the screen res was better, it might make a difference (to me), but it’s just a revamp of an old phone. This is my opinion, and I do think that it will be a very nice and usable phone for the next year or so. Just not for me, or anyone else who knows about what’s coming or what’s been.

  55. THANK YOU ! .itmustbejj !!!!!!!!!!!!
    THEY TOOK THE BETTER HARDWARE OF THE MT4G AND PUT IT IN THE EVOS BODY
    DUHHHHHHHHH

    SHOULD WE CSALL THIS THE MYEVO 4G?

  56. No, you cant. Sorry. Not without perfect credit. Wich, goes against your “no sign of financial stability” comment.

  57. Didnt realize the mt4g had 8 gigs internal memory, or a 32 gig card. Or that it had 4g capable of the speeds this phone gets. It is also only the third phone released with a 4.3 in screen. From all the carriers.

  58. Yarrell is a troll. I’ve seen him on a variety of comment boards and he’s always trying to draw people into his particular brand of crap. I don’t even read his posts anymore (including whatever he responds to mine with).

  59. Wow the iFans are commenting heavily on this article.
    I guess they feel threatened.

    The irony about this is there were more people lined up at Verizon stores for this phone than their beloved iPhone.

    Most stores in my area sold out on launch day (yesterday)
    So much for the iWidget.

    Now they are here to troll.

  60. @ Buck – absolutely. I also stopped reading his posts altogether about a week and a half ago. He only does this to get attention, he is a 45 or 46 year-old who will simply start his “Church of EVO” rants in absolutely any comment thread to get a response. I really wish everyone else would just ignore him as well. In the past week or so, it has become so bad, it is beyond absurd. The comment threads barely have anything about the subject matter at hand, instead, it’s Richard trolling with his mindless nonsense, and people taking the bait and spending post after post flaming him.
    Please, everyone, just ignore him. It is already well established that he is a complete idiot seeking attention, and he is succeeding. There is no more reason to say ANYTHING to him, we already know what he is going to say. No matter what type of evidence is right in front of him, he will simply make something up and run with his little fantasies. When people aren’t even talking to him, and just posting their view, if he doesn’t agree, he does his little act. Seriously, everyone, PLEASE IGNORE THAT MENTAL CASE.

  61. Re: Nlsme

    I routinely get ~6mbps downstream on my MyTouch 4G with HSPA. You are lying to yourself if you think you will get significantly better than that with LTE. Don’t play the theoretical cap card with me cuz in actual speeds LTE will never not be noticeable to HSPA+.

    And yeah the MT4G has 4gb internal, but wasn’t it reported already that only 2.5gb of the 8 on the thunderdolt is even available? And anyone can buy a 32gb card. This phone has nothing worthwhile to justify spending money on. Wait for HTC dualcores with the Adreno 220.

  62. Typo above should read:
    “…cuz the difference in actual speeds LTE will not be noticeable to HSPA+.”

  63. Maybe you missed the thread of real world speeds. You know the ones that tripled that. And, stock, yes, only 2.5 is available. Wont take long for the dev community to fix that. Cant say the same for the mt4g. You say this phone isnt worth spending anu money on, then say anybody can spend the money to bring the storage up to ALMOST the same level? I wont even mention the areas where one can use the tb, where the mt4g would be just a small tablet.

  64. Has anyone else tried using simultaneous voice and data on the TBolt over 3G? I just tried on mine and it does work. Can anyone else confirm this as well? This is a big selling point as its the only device in VZ’s lineup that can do this.

  65. #

    61.itmustbejj wrote on March 18, 2011

    Re: Nlsme

    I routinely get ~6mbps downstream on my MyTouch 4G with HSPA. You are lying to yourself if you think you will get significantly better than that with LTE. Don’t play the theoretical cap card with me cuz in actual speeds LTE will never not be noticeable to HSPA+.

    And yeah the MT4G has 4gb internal, but wasn’t it reported already that only 2.5gb of the 8 on the thunderdolt is even available? And anyone can buy a 32gb card. This phone has nothing worthwhile to justify spending money on. Wait for HTC dualcores with the Adreno 220.

    WHAT HE SAID ^^^^
    NISME i didnt get ur tablet joke?
    wth fuck does the tb do tht the mytouch does not ?
    wifi calling ? no !
    free 4g hotspot ? noooooooo
    hardware wise its the same rom? useless i have 100s of apps and still have 2gigs free on my mt4g

    tstork thats great news i was really disappointed with my droid 2

  66. Richard, sprint sucks compared. Get over it. Even from the mouths of htc, verizon is the leader.

  67. Richard, you’re in such denial.

  68. Re: Nlsme

    First off I don’t care if it was a 32gb card vs an 2gb card, if it is a class 2 card the first thing I am doing is buying a new card that is at least a class 6. If you have a 32gb the biggest use case for all that space is movies, and all I have to say is…have fun watching hd movies on your class 2 card.

    And secondly those speeds were on an network with no other users using lte traffic, my 6mbps is in a city full of people sucking up bandwidth.

  69. Another point about data speeds, studies have shown after about 3mbps performance gain in browsers is neglible and what matters most is ping times. The only place you notice the speed increases over 3mbps is in downloading large files, which you won’t be doing too much of with your capped data.

  70. @59 I’m sure Apple is very threatened by HTC as they both think the same way and try to target the same people. HTC goes for the overall experience card and not the nuts and bolts specs card.

  71. HTC mytouch 4g and evo 4g all day

  72. @itmustbejj

    It’s a class 4 card.

  73. Richard is the type of guy that, if you don’t have fun reading his comments and have fun giving him facts to ignore…he’s a waste of your time

  74. Good God is he irritating. I see his crap all over the place, but such a perfect example of someone who has absolutely no concept of logic, let alone technology. Yet he spews out random sentences that he’s read off an engadget article or an annoyed rant off of Android And Me to support his sick Evo obsession. Then he goes off as though he knows what he’s talking about. He’d make a perfect Sprint employee, but he might try to murder someone for returning an Evo.

  75. Lol Drew …yeah working for his wife AKA Sprint …is probably not a good for him

  76. I can tell you in one word what inspired all of these Android copycats: Apple……

  77. WOW! I just ran a speed test with Speedtest.net app and found out that Verizon’s 4G LTE is faster than my Comcast home WIFI:
    08:08am 4G LTE: Download = 13.21 Mbps; Upload: 26.78 Mbps
    08:10am Wifi: Download = 0.99 Mbps; Upload: 9.27 Mbps
    See results in this picture: http://twitpic.com/4b1ovr

  78. iking the ipad…beats the xoom I will give you that…once they get the sd card slot and 4g working however…well that will be a different story. As far as phones …call Android a copy cat all you want but…Android> mobile ios

  79. They made a video like this for the nexus one.

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