HTC ThunderBolt is the First 4G LTE Smartphone for Verizon Wireless

Taiwan’s HTC Corporation did it again! In the summer of 2010, Sprint Nextel Corp. launched its first 4G smartphone, HTC Evo 4G, on a WiMax network run by subsidiary Clearwire Corp. In March 17, 2011 Verizon Wireless started to sell its first 4G smartphone, HTC ThunderBolt, in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $249.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. With HTC ThunderBolt, Verizon’s 94+ million customers can take advantage of its 4G LTE network, claimed as the best technology with the most cutting-edge innovations as well as the fastest and most advanced 4G network in America! Customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access and the unlimited 4G LTE data plan is $29.99 monthly access. An optional Mobile Hotspot can be activated that costs an additional $20 for 2 GB of data per month. However, it is included through May 15 for no additional charge. Customers can track their data usage by downloading the “My Verizon” app available in Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon accounts online. Mobile Hotspot allows users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices.

4G refers to the fourth generation of cellular wireless technology. The use of ‘generation’ covers the major advances of the past 30 years, which started in 1981 as an analog 1G technology that involved the first widely available cell phones. 2G technology began in 1992, switched to a digital format, and introduced text messaging. 3G technology available since 2002, improved the efficiency of how data is transmitted supporting multi-media with speeds of at least 200 Kbps (kilobits per second), making it possible to carry enhanced information services such as websites in their original format. Currently, most 3G subscribers can expect download speeds up to 1 Mbps (megabit per second), while 4G networks currently delivering as fast as 6-7 Mbps, but eventually would be about 10 times faster than 3G in the very near future. The same trend also applies for the upload speeds. For comparison on how long it takes to download a 10MB video file; it will take about 100 seconds with a ‘Slow’ connection of average speed 800 Kbps, 53 seconds with a ‘Medium’ connection of average speed 1.5 Mbps, and 27 seconds with a ‘Fast’ connection of average speed 3.5 Mbps.

What will that mean? The 4G service will speed up the consumption of web-based content, and smooth the operation of services such as streaming video. In fact, 4G download/upload speeds would let users do things with their mobile devices that could not be done with a 3G connection, including bidirectional apps (where data sent from the device is just as important as the data received) such as videoconferencing, online gaming and VoIP calling, which will work far more smoothly with better look and sound. 4G is the first wireless broadband that might finally free people from their desktop, allowing them to manage their online lives whenever and wherever they want.

The four major United States Wireless Carriers created a positive buzz with their 4G advertisements since last summer. The three system networks of the current 4G technology are Sprint’s WiMax Network, Verizon Wireless’ Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network, and AT&T and T-Mobile’s High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) Network. However, AT&T plans to launch its own 4G LTE Network by the end of 2011. 4G speeds depend not only on the network system, but also on infrastructure improvements and software upgrades. For example, AT&T has been investing large amounts of capital in fiber-optic lines for the movement of cellular data to and from the core of its network. Also, T-Mobile's competitors say that the HSPA+ technology it uses is not really 4G, which may be technically true, but through systematic software enhancements it can deliver speeds that are competitive with the 4G networks of its rivals. That being said, which system is currently the fastest? In fact, Verizon’s 4G LTE has download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps, which are remarkably faster than Sprint’s 4G WiMax download speeds of 3 to 6 Mbps, and T-Mobile & AT&T’s HSPA+ download speeds of 1 to 7 Mbps.

Verizon 4G LTE service is now available in 39 markets and over 60 major airports, covering over 110 million people. It will be available in more than 145 metro areas by the end of 2011. The service is currently available in:

Arizona: Phoenix.

California: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.

Colorado: Denver.

District of Columbia: Washington.

Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

Georgia: Athens and Atlanta.

Illinois: Chicago.

Indiana: West Lafayette.

Louisiana: New Orleans.

Maryland: Baltimore.

Massachusetts: Boston.

Michigan: Detroit.

Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Missouri: St. Louis.

Nevada: Las Vegas.

New York: New York and Rochester.

North Carolina: Charlotte.

Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City.

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Tennessee: Nashville.

Texas: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

Washington: Seattle/Tacoma.

HTC ThunderBolt is powered by Google’s Android 2.2 operating system and features the latest version of HTC Sense 2.0 experience, which offers enhancements including new personalization options, a consolidated e-mail inbox, and unique camera effects and filters. It also features 4G LTE optimized apps such as EA's Rock Band, Gameloft's Let's Golf 2, TuneWiki and videos advertising Bitbop. It is equipped with support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail, YouTube and Android Market with thousands of free apps. Advanced features include:

Processor

The newest generation of Snapdragon 1GHz processor for faster access to apps, gaming, entertainment, and more.

Memory

8 GB of onboard memory plus 768 RAM Memory card, and a pre-installed 32 GB microSD card.

Display

4.3" capacitive touchscreen of 480 x 800 WVGA resolution with dual orientation in portrait and landscape.

Dual Cameras

An 8.0 megapixel rear facing camera with auto focus, dual LED flash, and HD (720p) video recording, as well as a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera with video chatting capabilities.

Keyboard

Touch screen QWERTY Keyboard.

Battery

Standard removable 1500 mAh Lithium (Li-on) removable battery with 378 minutes of usage or 330 hours standby. If you are intending to be a heavy user of Verizon’s 4G LTE Network, it would drain the battery life. I would recommend buying a spare battery and/or chargers.

Mobile Hotspot

With mobile hotspot, the phone turns into a wireless router, providing a 4G Wi-Fi connection to share with up to 8 Wi-Fi enabled devices.

DLNA Certified Device

HTC ThunderBolt is a DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) certified device, which can stream photos, music, and video to and from DLNA-supporting devices on the home wireless network. For instance, users can stream video to DLNA-certified TV for playback. The music player can also stream from any media servers on the network.

Special Features

Dual mics with noise cancellation, surround sound, compass sensor, G-sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor, 3.5mm audio jack, micro USB, FM radio, LTE SIM slot, and TI audio DSP.

Other Goodies

Built-in kickstand for easy media viewing.

Personalization options accessible with one tap of the Personalize Button, including sets for Sound, Skins, Widgets, Apps, and Wallpapers.

Take gaming to the next level with access to Android Market’s best games.

Easy access to movies, TV shows, music, and exclusive online content.

Instant NHL and NCAA stats and games for mobile fandom.

Enhanced music capabilities in creating and managing playlists.

Built-in WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n.

Supports: 18 languages, advanced speech recognition, GPS/AGPS E911, Bluetooth 2.1, and device software upgrade over the air.

TTY compatible and M4/T3 hearing aid compatible.

Dimensions of 4.75 x 2.44 x 0.56 inches and weight 6.23 ounces.