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HTC ThunderBolt Update Coming by Thanksgiving?

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Earlier this month, we told you that the HTC ThunderBolt Ice Cream Sandwich update could be in its final stages of testing with a roll out possibly coming by the end of October. With Halloween landing tomorrow, and no sign of the update, it’s pretty clear that the HTC ThunderBolt ICS update likely won’t arrive this month. Now, we’re hearing that Verizon is hoping to roll out an HTC ThunderBolt update, possibly ICS, by Thanksgiving.

We have been tipped by a reader who claims that he spoke to Verizon about connectivity issues that he has been having with his HTC ThunderBolt. He was issued service tickets by both HTC and Verizon. Verizon called him to let him know that they were closing his ticket because the carrier was planning to issue an update that would fix these connectivity issues.

Read: HTC ThunderBolt Ice Cream Sandwich Update Still Missing Nearly Two Months Later.

He then asked when he might expect the update and was told that Verizon was hoping to get it out by Thanksgiving. Another representative said that the update would be issued “very soon.” The same type of thing happened shortly before the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean update so it could be that something will happen in the next couple of weeks.

Now, Ice Cream Sandwich was never explicitly mentioned though we have our suspicions that it might be the long-awaited update.

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An HTC ThunderBolt update, possibly Ice Cream Sandwich, could arrive by Thanksgiving.

As we said when we first told you about the possibility of an October roll out, software roll outs are always subject to a change of date. It could be that HTC and Verizon did have October in mind earlier this month but that set backs or bugs made it impossible for them to release it. The same thing could happen with this update though it is a little reassuring that a representative was confident enough to close a ticket and make a claim like that.

So whether or not it’s Ice Cream Sandwich remains to be seen but it’s looking like an update might be on the way for the HTC ThunderBolt, hopefully by Thanksgiving.

HTC and Verizon have yet to cancel the update and that is actually a good sign for owners. It means that one or both of them is still working on the software and that a roll out is still within the realm of possibility.

Read: HTC ThunderBolt Ice Cream Sandwich Situation is Unacceptable.

Now that it has been two months since the promised roll out date passed, we’re hoping that we hear something concrete in the next few weeks and this new little tidbit has us feeling optimistic.

Keep in mind though, this is a rumor, and it’s not worth getting excited about just yet.

Thanks, B!

50 Comments

50 Comments

  1. lightnuup

    10/30/2012 at 2:21 pm

    Just in time for the new phones to roll out. Doesn’t matter, i’m done with both. Screw Verizon and HTC.

    • bob fox

      11/01/2012 at 11:24 am

      screw you

  2. pablodius

    10/30/2012 at 2:38 pm

    “Keep in mind though, this is a rumor, and it’s not worth getting excited about just yet.”

    Was it worth writing this article for a rumor? How about you just write one big happy article once it has finally been released. I bet you are ready to shoot yourself if you have to write another article about this stupid ass update. It isn’t Jelly Bean anyways, and Jelly Bean is supposed to be the OS that Google can actually be proud of. ICS is probably shitty on the T Bolt anyways.

    For those of you with brains, the Nexus is on sale for 229 without contract (refurbished, of course).

  3. Matt

    10/30/2012 at 3:51 pm

    @pablodius Where?

  4. Sam

    10/30/2012 at 4:08 pm

    Accidentally backed over my HTC Thunderturd yesterday. Works better now…….

    • Clay

      10/31/2012 at 1:20 pm

      Is that the trick? Ive been throwing mine against the wall for the better part of 4 months now.

  5. jake

    10/30/2012 at 6:06 pm

    Screw HTC they dont care about anyone.. all us loyal customers have been ripped off time and time again by this useless company. I think we all deserve something special for being patient and loyal through all of this!

    I have always bragged of this phone but now im embarassed to say i own one.

    • tonyZ

      11/01/2012 at 10:32 pm

      You took the words right outta my mouth

  6. nexus

    10/30/2012 at 7:58 pm

    My Thunderbolt sucks so bad i can’t wait to get rid of it! It is truly and embarrassing phone and HTC has embarrassed itself by producing such a piece of garbage.

  7. mike

    10/30/2012 at 8:47 pm

    I have no issues with the thunderbolt , my issue is with HTC & Verizon. Very poor service. I will be switching to the iPhone by thanksgiving and may have a new carrier to go alongg with it.

  8. skipnyip

    10/30/2012 at 10:53 pm

    The update will be out by the beginning if the year, no wait, March, no wait, August, no wait, halloween, no wait, Thanksgiving. The pattern is that rumor articles like this just don’t have any real backing. The only people who really know for sure are the ones actually doing the code. I’m sure they don’t want to let it out, brick everyones phone, and then be forced to give replacements. Where I do agree that it was bad for HTC to officially give a date, then drop all information like a hot patatoe, I would like to remind that software updates are a bonus, not a right.

  9. Vdouogs

    10/30/2012 at 11:05 pm

    It was a bonus for us to purchase HTC’s first 4g flagship phone with representatives telling us in our ears that the phone would be capable of having the os upgrade so it became a right for me. Unless you wouldn’t mind purchasing me a new phone skipnyip???

    • skipnyip

      11/01/2012 at 10:42 pm

      Correct me if I’m wrong, but how many updates have you gotten? I’m pretty sure the answer is more than 5. Please tell me where in your contract it says you are entitled to an update to every new operating system forever. If it does, we should hate windows for not giving everyone free windows 8, apple for not giving people new ipads when new generations come out, chevy for not giving me a brand new car when they make a new model. Welcome to the world. Welcome to capatilism. Don’t like it? Move to a deserted island. Good luck getting signal for your updated coconut phone.

      • tom

        11/29/2012 at 6:12 pm

        deuche

  10. Vdouogs

    10/30/2012 at 11:08 pm

    HTC will pay for the lack of consideration right after their fourth quarter results. Get em in the pocket like (RIM) for not listening to the people your selling your products to.

  11. SchmittyJ

    10/30/2012 at 11:30 pm

    Dude, I’m tired of articles about tipsters getting phone calls… I’m not believing sh_t until I see an email, or screen grab… and, even them i probably won’t believe it until it shows up.
    It’s just a little sketchy that all these “tipsters” are based on evidence-less phone calls instead of e-mails or something that can be backed up.

  12. Aaron

    10/31/2012 at 6:04 am

    Lol. I use to have a Thunderbolt, and I was SO ticked off about the delay with the update that I upgraded to the iPhone 5.
    Best decision ever, I’m so done with HTC. Bwt, one of my best friends is manager of a Verizon store in Atlanta, Ga. He said there is no update.
    Also, I was able to keep my unlimited data, and I didn’t even pay a $30 upgrading fee. I found out that’s total BULL CRAP!

    • Eric

      10/31/2012 at 2:23 pm

      I did the same thing. Paid full price for the iPhone 5 and even the wife said it was a great investment. HTC screwed us from the launch and loved every second of it. I always said I would never go to Apple, but I did because they support the phones and not just tell you to upgrade your phone because a new one came out a month after you bought yours.

  13. Don Cole

    10/31/2012 at 6:27 am

    BWAHAHAHAAAAA!!!! Right! Keep dreaming Adam. You write essentially the same article every month. Give it up and move on. Thunderbolt is dead. It’s a piece of S__T!!! HTC is headed to bankruptcy or buyout due to really poor ass profits. Verizon doesn’t care as most Thunderbolts will be out of contract in the next 6 months.

  14. BB

    10/31/2012 at 6:32 am

    Just so tired of the glitches lately and being told oh the thunderbolt upgrade be here by the end of Oct. Well if its not upgraded by midnight Oct. 31. I will be getting a Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Screw HTC. Just sucks I gotta fork out the money. When I loved my TBolt. I feel HTC and Verizon should issue T-Bolt users a check for our troubles.

  15. drew

    10/31/2012 at 8:04 am

    I talked to HTC they said “ics was rumored and wasn’t yet decided if the thunderbolt would get it. They said if we decide to release it, we hope to have it out by Christmas.”

  16. Jeff A (@Mithrandir48)

    10/31/2012 at 9:42 am

    Yep, just give up on this phone…I just kept complaining to Verizon and they gave me a free Droid Razr Maxx (without having to use an upgrade)…finally a phone that lasts all day and longer on 4G!

  17. Nick

    10/31/2012 at 11:39 am

    Unfortunately for me my Thunderbolt never did abruptly crap out or exhibit a major error so I couldn’t bitch and moan to Verizon for a free new phone. It is however getting slower and slower every month, to the point that the LTE is just as slow as 3G and every command bears some sort of lag. The old Gingerbread and Sense just got stale after a while, and I finally pitched it when I found a brand new Droid Razr on sale in my town for $100. After 10 months with the Tbolt, a phone that’s so thin and light and fast seems alien to me, and I’m loving every second of it.

  18. Gabriel

    10/31/2012 at 11:52 am

    Verizon called me and said the future update will not come. I missed the called so I called back. It was an automated message. If try yourself. 209-222-4560

  19. Joseph Alton (@JoeAlton)

    10/31/2012 at 12:45 pm

    Ha. What’s the point people writing a piece each month that’s headline is: “HTC Thunderbolt Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update maybe rolled out in [The Next Calendar Month]?

  20. Sarang

    10/31/2012 at 2:11 pm

    Getting the Nexus 4. Screw verizon and htc

  21. Kazz

    11/01/2012 at 5:34 pm

    I don’t believe in words i believe in actions, If HTC know that’s what we want, why don’t HTC give it to us? (lazy developers)

  22. Omni737

    11/04/2012 at 9:44 am

    Thanksgiving is a good date, my Verizon contract is up. After this BS, both Verizon and HTC will lose me as a customer. There is no excuse for this whatsoever.

  23. tayeke

    11/05/2012 at 2:33 pm

    I can’t event use the new xbox smartglass app… The lack of support for the version of android currently on my phone is unacceptable!

  24. Jeff

    11/11/2012 at 9:09 am

    Wow, lot of hate here! I’ve had the tbolt for a year and have had no problems, watch movies, surf the web, apps run great! If I get the update great, if not no worries. Maybe I’m just not as picky about things but I’ve just not had any issues.

  25. Melissa

    11/11/2012 at 10:36 pm

    There is nothing to be excited about for the Thunderbolt, except the day I can throw it forcefully into a concrete wall. If you are not having problems, it’s because you haven’t had the phone long enough yet. Just wait until it’s been about a year and a half. Random rebooting, freezes, charging issues, network problems, the list goes on and on. Two of these pieces of crap in my family, and both having same exact problems. One phone won’t even charge now, it says it’s charging but the battery is actually draining. I had to buy an external battery charger and extra battery to change out. When I plug in the charger for mine, the flash lights up and it has shocked me before. Also tells me a “wireless charger” is detected even though its a plug. This week, my phone thinks i’m in Fort Worth, even though I am a whole other time zone away. When it realizes where I actually am, the time doesn’t update. Sometimes, I have no network connection even though I am standing next to another verizon customer with solid 4G, but I don’t even have 3G or 1X. Now, my keyboard slows and freezes… not just a delay, i will touch a letter and instead i get two backspaces. Can’t wait til January when I can ditch these pieces of junk.

    • Melissa

      11/11/2012 at 10:39 pm

      Forgot to mention my two favorite features… a blue 1/2inch line of dead pixels down the center and a red box with white words “Contact info here” that won’t go away. Always there to cover up anything I’m trying to look at. Counting the days…

  26. Bob Fox's Daddy

    11/12/2012 at 11:23 am

    Bob fox is a tool

  27. Robert

    11/12/2012 at 11:52 am

    Got rid of my last Thunderbolt #5, bought a Rezound off Ebay, could not be happier. It came with Factory Installed ICS. So I could care less if they ever update the BlunderBolt.

  28. Seamus

    11/12/2012 at 6:32 pm

    Hurry up all ready

  29. mrosen13

    11/13/2012 at 2:40 pm

    I am done with HTC and Verizon, too many promises left unfulfilled. Promises, promises, the only power we have as customers is to accept bullshit or leave. I choose to leave, bye HTC.

  30. franky

    11/14/2012 at 10:56 pm

    Thunder bolt makes Verizon look bad

  31. thegrenade

    11/15/2012 at 8:16 am

    Thank you so much for constantly keeping us updated on the Thunderbolt. I haven’t experienced any terrible issues with the phone, but I feel very let down by the lack of updates and support. It is a shame that the best source for information and updates on my phone is not through HTC or Verizon but from your website. One thing will be for sure, my next phone is not coming via HTC.

  32. yellowfish

    11/16/2012 at 9:22 pm

    My friend has T mobile and his HTC Thunderbolt updated to ICS an hour ago.
    My HTC Thunderbolt from Verizon has not. Why?

  33. Joseph M.

    11/17/2012 at 4:00 am

    That would be fantastic. Even though I’ve moved on to the Galaxy Nexus, my T-Bolt is in good shape, so I keep it as a backup. (P.S. 4.2 on the Nexus sooner rather than later would also be fantastic.

  34. Erin

    11/17/2012 at 7:25 pm

    I have a thunderbolt HTC. I hate it! It breaks all the time. Can’t wait for Christmas cause I’m getting a new phone. I’m so Pissed I’ve been waiting for months for a damn update. Truth Is HTC im very disappointed.

  35. Tim

    11/21/2012 at 7:39 am

    Adam, what’s the latest? If we owners stop harping about it, HTC and Verizon will let it go quietly and win. They know consumers are looking for the next cool thing, we should hold them accountable to make good or the trend will only worsen.

  36. Sean

    11/22/2012 at 5:46 am

    Well, it’s Thanksgiving day… I’m thankful for my family and friends. But still no update as of this posting.

  37. Mike

    11/22/2012 at 9:50 am

    Likewise. 1pm. Not a word. This phone is forever stuck on Gingerbread. What a shame. On to Samsung for Black Friday.

  38. Mark Hart

    11/23/2012 at 7:53 am

    Day after Thanksgiving and no update yet.

  39. [email protected]

    11/24/2012 at 6:24 pm

    I dumped my Thunderbolt today. Traded it back in to Verizon which took away my upgrade fee automatically. I got the new Motorola Droid M. SUPERIOR to that piece of shit phone. The batter life is amazing. And I have Jellybean on it, I never even saw ICS.

  40. Brandon

    11/25/2012 at 12:44 am

    I’ve had my Thunderbolt for almost 2 years, and I’ve never had a problem with it that I haven’t caused (I.E. : too many apps downloaded, slowing down RAM). And I’ve loved it, yea, the update would be great, but mine runs fine as is.

  41. Sean

    11/26/2012 at 10:54 am

    I think it’s the perfect ploy to nudge you into a newer phone and for some of us to lose our unlimited data. I went into one of our local Verizon stores for a replacement battery and the customer service rep said the phone was discontinued and there were no batteries in town Verizon store-wise. I then asked about the website and they said they may be able to pull from a warehouse then suggested I go to a third party website to order one…
    I think we’d all like to know what the true story is but like with anything who is really willing to take responsibility. I think if they did come out with a stable ICS for the thunderbolt we’d all keep our phones longer than two years which would have some kind of trickle effect on the common practice of the universal new every two years.

  42. gary

    12/02/2012 at 2:54 pm

    HTC thunder bolt is pure junk you cant stay on 4g at all anywhere you go i will never buy a htc phone again

  43. Mike B

    12/10/2012 at 10:05 am

    It’s practically CHRISTMAS now and still no word on an update. Give it up folks. Get a new or used phone (though if used, make sure it has a clean ESN!). Personally, I’m done with Verizon when my contract is up. Unlimited with Sprint, wifi-hotspot app, and subsidized price. Ridiculous to stay with Verizon folks!

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