HTC Thunderbolt Gingerbread Update Coming Soon (Again); Ice Cream Sandwich Miles Away

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In late September Verizon has pulled the HTC Thunderbolt Gingerbread update, a software version its subscribers have been waiting since the first half of the year, when it was initially expected to roll out.

The carrier seems to be ready to release a new Gingerbread version for its first 4G LTE Android smartphone (v. 2.11.605.5), but we have no idea when the new build will be rolled out. A new support file is now available to show Thunderbolt users what Gingerbread will bring them:

Enhancements:

+ Download Manager App:
New App to manage all of your downloads from web browsing, email attachments and other apps.
+ App and Power Management Details:
Under Manage Applications, a new “Running” tab displays a list of active applications and the storage and memory being used by each. Power efficiency mode option has also been added under Settings > Power.
+ New Desktop User Interface:
New widgets, icons and screens with refreshed colors.
+ Full Dock Mode App:
This App includes three shortcuts at the bottom: Gallery, Music and Calendar. In addition, this mode showcases Friend Stream updates, upcoming meeting invites, notifications, weather clock and has a slide show as the background wallpaper. Within this App, a user can also enable the mobile hotspot in dock mode.

Additional Device Features:

+ Alarm notifications will no longer appear while in Emergency Mode.
+ Improved security features that reduce device vulnerability.
+ Improved data connectivity.
+ Improved audio quality while using Bluetooth®.
+ Bluetooth security patch has been included.
+ Decreased wait time when saving audio attachments.
+ Basic voicemail notification will now notify when a new voicemail has been received.
+ V CAST Tones now comes preloaded.
+ New Google Books app.
+ Enhanced UI for data roaming.
+ SMS messages will no longer send to incorrect recipient on rare occasions.
+ Reduced Force Close errors while using TuneWiki.
+ Reduced Force Close errors when using the front camera.
+ Audio on BT Car Kit no longer reroutes to phone when receiving a SMS message.

As for an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Thunderbolt, I wouldn’t get too excited about that yet. We’re yet to see what HTC devices will get ICS.