HTC positioned ahead of rivals in LTE smartphone development.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Sales of HTC's LTE-enabled smartphone, the HTC ThunderBolt, have been strong since the device was launched by Verizon Wireless in the US in mid-March, positioning HTC ahead of its major rivals in the development of LTE phones, according to industry sources.

Sales of the HTC ThunderBolt reached about 260,000 units in the first two weeks after the launch of the gadget, according to an estimate of sources at the supply chain in Taiwan.

Although Verizon has also signed cooperation agreements with Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics (LGE) and Motorola Mobility for the launch of other LTE phones, Samsung's model, the Droid Charge, will not be launched until the end of this month, before LGE launches its LG Revolution.

Motorola's LTE phone, the Droid Bionic, is reportedly to be available in the second quarter but could be delayed to the third, the sources indicated.

With Verizon having a total of 565,000 LTE subscribers at the end of the first quarter, sales of the ThunderBolt accounted for nearly 50% of all LTE-enabled devices, which also included tablet PCs, notebooks and broadband routers sold through Verizon networks in the quarter, indicated the sources.

However, the sources also noted that Samsung was ahead of HTC with regards to the number of LTE phones that have been launched. In addition to the forthcoming Droid Charge, Samsung have already launched two LTE phones, the Craft and Galaxy Indulge, in cooperation with US-based carrier MetroPCS.

CES 2011: HTC and Verizon announced the HTC Thunderbolt 4G LTE smartphone, key features.

WorldWideTech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

HTC ThunderBolt Delivers Style and Speed on Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Network

LTE-Capable HTC ThunderBolt Enables Sharing at 4G Speeds with Features Including Integrated Skype mobile™ and DLNA Wireless Media Connectivity

Verizon Wireless and HTC today unveiled its newest 4G smartphone, the HTC ThunderBolt, one of the world's first 4G LTE Android smartphones, coming soon exclusively to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.

Taking advantage of Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network and the intuitiveness of the HTC Sense user experience, HTC ThunderBolt is one of the first smartphones to integrate Skype mobile™ with video calling. Rather than relying on a standalone application, a Skype mobile with video call can be made as easily as a standard voice call – with features like presence icons that indicate the availability status of friends built into the standard contacts list. A front-facing camera enables simple video calling, and the 4.3-inch display brings friends and family into clear focus.

HTC ThunderBolt features exceptional speed and power with the newest generation of the blazing-fast 1GHz Snapdragon processor. Verizon Wireless customers will also enjoy the premium HTC Sense user experience, running on the Android 2.2 platform. Creating and consuming mobile multimedia content is made possible with a stunning 4.3-inch WVGA display, Dolby surround sound, 8-megapixel camera and HD video recording. With wireless DLNA capability, the HTC ThunderBolt can easily stream and share content directly with compatible home theater components, including HDTVs and stereo receivers that feature built-in DLNA support.

"We are proud to not only be bringing one of the first 4G LTE Android smartphones to the Verizon Wireless network, but to offer people the unprecedented speed and ease of use that the HTC ThunderBolt provides to them," said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas. "What makes 4G so compelling is not just technology, but what the technology allows people to do. With HTC ThunderBolt and the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, 4G is brought to life as people stay connected with friends, family and content faster than ever before possible."

"Our 4G LTE network and the HTC Sense user experience combine to enable our customers to connect with friends, family and information on a whole new level," said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "Customers will see the difference of 4G speeds when accessing content via the Web, Android applications or other Verizon Wireless applications."

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless' 3G network. Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company's entire 3G coverage area over the next three years.

The HTC ThunderBolt will be on display at CES in Verizon Wireless' booth (#35216 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center). For more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte and for more information about Verizon Wireless at CES, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/ces or follow the company on Twitter at http://twitter.com/verizonwireless. For more information about the HTC ThunderBolt, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/thunderbolt.

Key Features:

• 4G LTE – customers can expect download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage areas
• 4.3-inch WVGA display
• Mobile Hotspot capability – share 4G connection with up to 8 Wi-Fi devices
• Android 2.2 platform
• 32GB microSD card included
• HTC Sense 2.0 with new features, including Fast Boot
• Built-in kickstand for easy media viewing
• Dolby and SRS surround sound
• Fully integrated Skype mobile experience
• 720p HD video recording
• DLNA streaming multimedia support