***Official HTC Incredible Thread***

[Isror]

So what's next, they start requiring a $10 text plan? These services should be optional, not forced.

I totally agree with you, I'm just speaking from a business/law standpoint.

 

[Berner]

There are rumours about the Sprint Evo coming out on April 16th too....hmmmm

HTC EVO 4G (Phone Arena)

No, the rumour is that on April 16 Sprint will release further details on the EVO, such as pricing, final specs, and release date. Current rumor on release date is first week of June, although at least one tipster has said it could be earlier (May).

tl;dr - EVO is probably 6-8 weeks away.

 

[Steven58]

If the EVO indeed comes out this month and the Incredible does not, I would really consider trying out the phone. If the phone and the service is good, (I doubt the service would be) I would port my entire family over. I think I'm losing steam (hope).

 

[Twiz]

If the EVO indeed comes out this month and the Incredible does not, I would really consider trying out the phone. If the phone and the service is good, (I doubt the service would be) I would port my entire family over. I think I'm losing steam (hope).

I have to admit this has crossed my mind.

 

[UBChain]

OK... must get back to work. In the mean time.... we've seen evidence of roughly 159,000 of our phones in inventory "somewhere". Has anyone thought of determining the number of Verizon stores and retailers and dividing that into 159,000 to come up with the average number of Incredibles that will be available per store? (I know they don't evenly divvy them up). It would be interesting to know what sort of shortage of them we might expect after initial release.

I'd hate to have to drive to the nether reaches of big sky country just to get one. Oh wait... MM is back... hey buddy ....

 

[Steven58]

I have to admit this has crossed my mind.

heh. I wish VZ would get the hint. Sadly, they don't "get" us.

 

[s34n1811]

Please make note of the date on all articles posted. That one was from Feb 25.

I'm well aware of the date and this posting was in response to a question about the FCC filling of The Incredible. Thanks

 

[graygranite]

If the EVO indeed comes out this month and the Incredible does not, I would really consider trying out the phone. If the phone and the service is good, (I doubt the service would be) I would port my entire family over. I think I'm losing steam (hope).

I wouldn't blame you. I want some info simply so I can make a decision. I know I should just make a call and go with it, but it's hard with the 'maybe next week...' process going on in my head. If Verizon would give a date, or some info, I could easily make a decision to wait for the Incredible or to go with a plan B.

I never thought I'd be jealous of Apple fans when it comes to getting information. Such a secretive company, and yet they've been pretty good about giving announcements in advance for a while now.

 

[Isror]

heh. I wish VZ would get the hint. Sadly, they don't "get" us.

Verizon simply doesn't care about you or us. They have more than enough support from corporate business phone plans that everyday users are just surplus income for them. Our needs of an Android device comes in a meager 3rd place compared to getting business devices like BBs.

If users would start leaving Verizon for other carriers they MIGHT get some kind of hint, but as long as they have the whole "we're the best network in America" mentality, nothing will change.

 

[graygranite]

OK... must get back to work. In the mean time.... we've seen evidence of roughly 159,000 of our phones in inventory "somewhere". Has anyone thought of determining the number of Verizon stores and retailers and dividing that into 159,000 to come up with the average number of Incredibles that will be available per store? (I know they don't evenly divvy them up). It would be interesting to know what sort of shortage of them we might expect after initial release.

I'd hate to have to drive to the nether reaches of big sky country just to get one. Oh wait... MM is back... hey buddy ....

I assume there'll be enough to avoid a shortage, except for maybe in a few limited spots. Once we rabid fans rush the store I think they'll be enough left over for the people who've never heard of the Incredible.

 

[CAJACKSPARROW]

Well I just sent an email to my VZW friend so we will see if anything becomes of it.

I swear though Im with Steven and starting to lose steam with this phone. VZW is starting to sound like my airline, Great management but just dont get the customers!! When it comes to phones.

 

[Minndroid]

so you want to take a smart phone and turn it into a dumbphone? or part dumb when not near wifi?

Kind of. I just don't see the need for the terms "smartphone", "dumbphone" or "feature phone" to exist. We should be able to buy any phone we want from the provider and add features a la cart to make it "smart". Phones with enhanced abilities like a bigger processor or camera should cost more up front, not over the life of your contract. If I pay more upfront for a phone capable of accessing the internet over wifi, Verizon shouldn't have any say on whether I do that or not just because I didn't buy the data package.

 

[UBChain]

...

I never thought I'd be jealous of Apple fans when it comes to getting information. Such a secretive company, and yet they've been pretty good about giving announcements in advance for a while now.

Some companies just do their marketing differently... Verizon seems to be one that only hypes what they can (and do) deliver. We should be thankful for that. Others (who shall remain nameless here) create hype and buzz about something in advance of when it is a reality to build brand recognition and loyalty.

All that being said, I prefer the freedom of choice Android and my Incredible will bring vs what some exec tells me I am going to like.

 

[mikewashere05]

Kind of. I just don't see the need for the terms "smartphone", "dumbphone" or "feature phone" to exist. We should be able to buy any phone we want from the provider and add features a la cart to make it "smart". Phones with enhanced abilities like a bigger processor or camera should cost more up front, not over the life of your contract. If I pay more upfront for a phone capable of accessing the internet over wifi, Verizon shouldn't have any say on whether I do that or not just because I didn't buy the data package.

I think its because they depend on the data package to cover the cost of the phone subsidy.

/business background talking.

 

[Bulldog]

Apple holding iPhone OS 4 event, April 8th!!

Apple holding iPhone OS 4 event, April 8th! -- Engadget

...and the Incredible's incredible feature advantage over Iphone is sure to slip away.

VZW is really passing up so many opportunities with this delay. It's become comical. What was a killer (Iphone killer?) at Christmas will be an also-ran by Summer.

 

[graygranite]

Some companies just do their marketing differently... Verizon seems to be one that only hypes what they can (and do) deliver. We should be thankful for that. Others (who shall remain nameless here) create hype and buzz about something in advance of when it is a reality to build brand recognition and loyalty.

All that being said, I prefer the freedom of choice Android and my Incredible will bring vs what some exec tells me I am going to like.

I'm aware of this, I'm just not happy with how Verizon does it. Giving some advance notice doesn't seem like all that much to ask for these days. 'Good things come to those who wait' on Twitter, is pretty lame. I'd rather no response than weeks of 'coming soon' messages. Verizon's great with their network, but I do wish they'd put more effort into the phone side of things.

Apple sure seems to be able to deliver, and maybe Sprint will as well. At least people have a general idea with those devices so that they can make decisions on whether to wait or not.

 

[Kappy]

I really had/have a good feeling about this week. I think we are inching (or should I say millimetering) our selves closer to an announcment. It's gotta be a matter of time. The whole apple event thing is kind of out of left field. VZW might want to consider not wasting a whole lot of more time. The longer this drags out the more it seems this is going to be launched to compete with the new iPhone, directly. I don't want to wait until June/July :-/

 

[Kappy]

^^^ In fact, I don't want to wait another day, lol. I want to pick this phone up next week sometime!

 

[Isror]

I just barely got my 2.1 upgrade from Verizon last night...Verizon moves at the speed of smell

 

[LarsWall]

...and the Incredible's incredible feature advantage over Iphone is sure to slip away.

VZW is really passing up so many opportunities with this delay. It's become comical. What was a killer (Iphone killer?) at Christmas will be an also-ran by Summer.

I am an android follower, but after the 8th, if OS 4.0 impresses me I'll likely not consider the Incredible as incredible as it is now...and stick with ATT

 

[Minndroid]

I think its because they depend on the data package to cover the cost of the phone subsidy.

/business background talking.

From a fellow business guy, that's the smokescreen. If you can by an unsubsidized Droid for $600 on launch day, they will subsidize $400 so you pay $200 net. Over the life of your contract you pay $720 for your required data plan. If they tell you they're just recovering the subsidy, that's a gross understatement.

 

[UBChain]

For what it's worth... with regards to my earlier stated fear about the "2nd Android Phone" possibly being the Saygus VPhone instead of the Incredible. I just tried calling Saygus (again) and it still forwards to what seems to be someone's cell phone. I've left messages there before with no return call. It strikes me as odd that a company who would be getting ready to release a device to the nations largest carrier would not be able to answer their phone and would have calls forwarded to a cell phone. I'm beginning to wonder if they are really going to get anything to market at all. I'm now back to believing the "2nd Android..." is something we will all be happy with.

 

[Cassman]

I think its because they depend on the data package to cover the cost of the phone subsidy.

/business background talking.

Gee... Ya think? A $600 piece of equipment that we get for $200. $360 per year for data plan. Arguably, Verizon doesn't break even until year 2.

On a separate note... I don't understand the angst here. This should be a fun thread. I do understand the excitement for the Incredible (obvious since I am reading the posts). However, the anticipation for all of us is entirely self created. Leaked photos, grilling store employees, limited information as a result of some inside contacts. As far as I know, neither Verizon nor HTC has said anything to raise our expectations. I think we should all just relax and enjoy the process.

 

[graygranite]

I am an android follower, but after the 8th, if OS 4.0 impresses me I'll likely not consider the Incredible as incredible as it is now...and stick with ATT

I wouldn't feel bad about it. In the end they're all tools we use for various needs. Whatever combination of phone, network and cost gets the job done for you is the one you should have.

 

[Cassman]

From a fellow business guy, that's the smokescreen. If you can by an unsubsidized Droid for $600 on launch day, they will subsidize $400 so you pay $200 net. Over the life of your contract you pay $720 for your required data plan. If they tell you they're just recovering the subsidy, that's a gross understatement.

What is the obsession nowadays in this country against someone making a profit? I have no ties to Verizon other than paying my bill and using their phones. I say, more power to them if they can find ways to make a profit and keep people employed. How many people does Verizon employ?