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HTC ThunderBolt Update Now Available

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It appears that Verizon finally got its act together as the carrier has finally released the long awaited HTC ThunderBolt update that was delayed indefinitely because of unknown issues.

HTC ThunderBolt

Verizon originally announced that the OTA update would begin to roll out starting May 4th, however soon after, the carrier delayed it and put up a ‘Coming Soon’ message on the HTC ThunderBolt update support page.

HTC ThunderBolt owners will want to manually check for the update today and select Settings > Software > Check New. You should see a prompt that will allow you to install a 35MB file that should only take a few minutes to get up and running.

As a reminder, here is what the ThunderBolt update brings to the table:

  • Enhance data connectivity when accessing the Verizon 3G network
  • SMS and MMS messages are stored properly in the Messaging Application (Inbox, Sent, etc.)
  • Timing for device activation has been improved
  • “Backup Assistant” is correctly displayed in the Application menu.
  • Stability improvements for data centric applications such as Facebook, KAYAK, Yahoo! Mail, My Verizon and more.
  • Accurate location is displayed when accessing the Weather Widget.
  • Quickly load GPS updates for Google Maps and VZ Navigator.

Anyone out there got this up and running? How is 3G?

40 Comments

40 Comments

  1. Sterling

    05/12/2011 at 4:22 pm

    I’m installing the update now! I hope that it resolves the issues that I experienced when using Facebook chat on my phone. cc: @SterlingSSmith:disqus

  2. Opus

    05/12/2011 at 4:23 pm

    Downloading now. We’ll see how this goes.

  3. Opus

    05/12/2011 at 4:54 pm

    Ok, I have it installed and see the Backup Assistant in the applications list. GPS does seem to be accurate. However, my 3G connection is not any better. In all fairness to Verizon, the area I am in is not a good area for any cell phone service so that could be the problem. I will be able to test later when I am in the city (I live in a rural area). Anyone else getting better 3G connection?

  4. TBoltOwner

    05/12/2011 at 5:41 pm

    I checked for updates and I still get the service unavailable notification even though I have 4G reception. Verizon’s website says it will be available 5/13, not 5/12.

    • Jim Schoch

      05/13/2011 at 3:22 pm

      same message here and I also have full 4GLTE signal as well as wifi … and today is the 13th … waiting in Phoenix AZ 

      • J Ball

        05/22/2011 at 10:00 pm

         You have to downgrade the internet to the 1x and it will go through.  takes a while but it works.  I just did it today while I was watching a movie and couldn’t use the phone anyways.

    • Faymechow

      05/16/2011 at 7:24 pm

       same

    • Raymound Mikaelian

      07/13/2011 at 9:24 am

      Same message. I took it to the Verizon store and they are shipping me a new one.

  5. Trans.Man

    05/12/2011 at 5:54 pm

    Just Installed 30 minutes ago… tried My Verizon App… said it installed successfully but still gets Verizon message “currently this application is not supported on your device”… Sad

    • Loveracing1988

      05/13/2011 at 7:56 am

      You have to look up the apk file and install that… I dont think verizon cares enough to update the app for everyone. The xda forums have had the app working for a month at least…

  6. Apple911

    05/12/2011 at 6:04 pm

    Just updated (30+ minutes). No apparent 3G improvement. Located 15 miles from Key West. Voice connectivity still marginal. BTW LTE 4G works great in Key west proper.

  7. Scorpion8599

    05/12/2011 at 6:07 pm

    Went from 2 3G bars to 3.

  8. joh2141

    05/12/2011 at 6:37 pm

    3G connection is now just a LITTLE BIT slower than my 4G. Probably because the Thunderbolt has great RAM for a phone. At this point, I don’t think I even need to use 4G. Put it on 3G with great connection and I save a lot more battery. Device seems slightly smoother than before. Haven’t checked the Verizon app because I never use it but Facebook application is extremely smooth. Gotta say I’m not overjoyed or excited over this update but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. It improved my Thunderbolt slightly, nothing too special. But it’s better than nothing.

    • joh2141

      05/12/2011 at 9:15 pm

      OK so the 3G connection is starting to act up a bit. It’s not the speed that’s the problem, it’s the connecting. The arrow that points up is uploading and down for downloading. They both will black out every few seconds even though I have really great 3G/4G connection in Englewood.

      Now I love my ThunderBolt and I’ve actually been pretty adept in troubleshooting/fixing TB’s from customers. I rebooted, turn off/on mobile network, refreshed connection network type, etc. It still is slow in connecting. I can only guess that the new update is causing slight interference to the connection because I had faster connection. However, when I AM connected I have faster 3G service than before. Not that I need 3G, I have perfect 4G here, just thought people should know.

  9. Mhamilton201

    05/12/2011 at 10:23 pm

    I insgtalled the update about 5 hours ago, and since then I have noticed the GPS improvement. One problem I have been having is that since installing the update my phone has shut down twice on its own. This has never happened before so I am wondering if it is because of the update. Is anyone else having this problem, and is there a way to fix it?

    • Cfreud1324

      05/13/2011 at 10:28 pm

      I just did update earlier today and mine has shut down on its own 3 times. It did not do this before I installed update. I have tried doing just the restart and then tried shutting phone all the way down and now just even shut phone off and removed battery and turned back on…waiting to see if my taking battery out and back in and restarting will do the trick…i’ll let you know

  10. Anthony J

    05/12/2011 at 11:09 pm

    Mhamilton201 same with me…i have noticed 4 restarts

  11. ADR

    05/13/2011 at 1:51 pm

    Just installed the update and I only see a slight improvement.  4G seems to work a little quicker as does 3G.  Also the phone itself runs a tad bit smoother but that’s it.  I noticed over the past couple weeks that my phone was slowing down and I was constantly losing 4G in a 4G area.  It seems to have fixed those issues.  Hopefully they will fix the battery issue as that is the biggest PROBLEM with the phone.

  12. Richard Drouin

    05/13/2011 at 2:35 pm

    I seem to have got worse connectivity. I went from never having an issue to now losing connectivity.. I do think the phone is smoother, swype still does not work directly, verizon app didn’t work directly either.

    I also have seen a few restarts. Maybe that’s how they plan on the phone working faster.

  13. Richard Drouin

    05/13/2011 at 2:35 pm

    I seem to have got worse connectivity. I went from never having an issue to now losing connectivity.. I do think the phone is smoother, swype still does not work directly, verizon app didn’t work directly either.

    I also have seen a few restarts. Maybe that’s how they plan on the phone working faster.

  14. Racheld736

    05/13/2011 at 11:58 pm

    Did the update this morning. Nothing is better. now the phone reboots it self. Facebook won’t load takes forever. I think I might just go to the iphone. don’t want to but I want a phone I can use was hoping update would fix . how is everyone else’s phone working any better

  15. Syndkit

    05/14/2011 at 4:23 am

    Mine is much better…..People pop up quicker, fb is better, phone overall IS performing better, but miine was getting slow and hanging alot…Pretty happy here

  16. Gabe

    05/16/2011 at 3:30 am

    For those who get the service not available, there is a trick that worked for me and most people here in Los Angeles and Orange County California.  Set your phone to CDMA only.  This can be accomplished by using the LTEOnOff app. Then check for new software as usual then you will see it.  It will take about 1hr or a bit less using that speed but it works.  Once your phone updates are resets use the same app to set the phone back to the way you had it.

    • Manny1580

      05/17/2011 at 4:11 pm

      awesome!! Just tried that and i get the update prompt! wasn’t working till now. Thanks. so cali here 

  17. Bettis_121

    05/16/2011 at 4:41 am

    I got the updates and 2 days later the phone now will not turn on or work, dead. i have not rooted my phone i got it 2 days ago and after i activated it, it did all the updates. Only thing i put on it was easy tether, which i paid for about a year ago and verizon has blocked this app. Still dont think it would have anything to do with it brickin over. i took the battery out trying to reset the phone cause it wouldnt download the rockband app. Once i took it out and put it back in the phone wouldnt turn on. Verizon had the nerve to tell me i had to pay for a new phone and they woulld credit me the money back once they recived the old phone back, what a joke.

  18. Epcpunk54

    05/19/2011 at 3:58 am

    What about the Damn audio problem fix you know the low volume when you record things hello?

  19. Maxsassy

    05/23/2011 at 9:42 pm

    Mine updated just fine. Hope it helps with me getting 1X instead of 3G. The 3G does appear but not without waiting a little while till it does. Now let’s get started on getting  Swype for the Thunderbolt. Now that would be awesome.

    • Jacobxdm40

      06/04/2011 at 9:39 am

      I have swype on my tbolt . Just go to their website and get it. All the instructions are on their site. http://WWW.beta.swype.com

  20. Anonymous

    05/23/2011 at 10:01 pm

    WooHoo! It’s fixed! The update has fixed the noise cancellation issue and now you can use the camcorder feature on your phone and actually hear what you’re filming.

  21. Csmitj11717

    06/28/2011 at 4:19 am

    ive had this thunder bolt .for 6 months.anyone else shut off a lot?

  22. Csmitj11717

    06/28/2011 at 4:19 am

    ive had this thunder bolt .for 6 months.anyone else shut off a lot?

  23. CRW3494

    07/09/2011 at 11:38 am

    Downloading update now !!_

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