Skip to main content

HTC Thunderbolt users, you can stop crying! You’re getting Android 4.0

thunderbolt-ICSHTC Thunderbolt owners rejoice! You’ve been putting up with horrible battery life and a bulky phone for way too long, but finally, after months of waiting, HTC and Verizon are planning to give you a small gift for your patience. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has been released for the device. While it’s no 4.1 Jelly Bean, it’s certainly bringing many desired features to the aging device.

Android version 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, was released back in late 2011, and while many users of the popular Google operating system are already lining up for the latest edition, Android Jelly Bean, not all smartphone owners are as fortunate  For some, specifically those who own devices from 2011 or earlier, it can become difficult to keep getting updates for all the great features you want. HTC Thunderbolt owners are now getting the ICS update after months of speculation. While August was the original date for the update to go out, several issues kept it from being released. In December, a Twitter post restored excitement with HTC hinting an update was around the corner. While it’s been nearly two months since that Twitter post, it’s always better to be late than to never release an update.

Recommended Videos

Verizon has started a staggered roll out of the update is currently being staggered, meaning that even if you haven’t gotten it yet for your device then keep your eyes out for it in the coming days. Users will enjoy all sorts of new features including notifications from the lockscreen, and the Ice Cream Sandwich app-switcher screen. Sadly though, at this rate it’s anyone’s guess as to when the Thunderbolt will get Jelly Bean. We’re guessing, never.

Joshua Sherman
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joshua Sherman is a contributor for Digital Trends who writes about all things mobile from Apple to Zynga. Josh pulls his…
Save $500 on the exceptional Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Recent apps view on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Looking for great last-minute tablet deals ahead of the holidays? Best Buy is where you need to go: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is on sale for $700 for a limited time only at Best Buy. Ordinarily priced at $1,200, it’s enjoying a $500 discount for a brief time. If you’re interested, you’ll need to click the buy button quickly, but if you need a little more insight, read on while we tell you all about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra -- one of the best Samsung tablet deals available today.

Why you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a great high-end tablet option for Android fans, and an ideal choice for someone seeking one of the best tablets (although the S10 Ultra has booted the S9 off that list). When we reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, we described it as “fast, and it has a gorgeous display, great audio, and a lot more. It's an amazing gadget, but you probably don't need it.” That remains true, but it's much more tempting with this significant price cut.

Read more
Save $50 on the Google Pixel Watch 2 and 3 at Best Buy
Someone wearing the Google Pixel Watch 3 showing the running UI.

For awesome smartwatch deals, check out what Best Buy has on sale right now. Today you can buy the Google Pixel Watch 2 for just $200 instead of $250. Alternatively, if your budget goes higher, you can snap up the Google Pixel Watch 3 for $300 instead of $350. Either are great deals and offer considerable advantages to Android phone owners looking to get healthier in 2025. We’ve got all the insight into what you need to know about some of the best smartwatches. Read on while we take you through it all, but remember, these deals won’t stay at these prices for long.
Google Pixel Watch 2 -- $200 $250 20% off

We were impressed in our Google Pixel Watch 2 review. We called it a “huge upgrade, offering better performance, battery, and more.” It offers “slick, fast performance” along with “comprehensive fitness tracking.” That’s thanks to Fitbit’s most accurate heart rate tracking, its body-response feature, and even skin temperature changes, as well as the now typical fitness tracking tools and the ECG app. It offers 24 hours of battery life from one charge, while its gorgeous design is more watch-like so it looks good on your wrist. It also has Google AI built-in and it has safety features like fall detection, an emergency SOS tool, and Safety Check where your watch shares your location with close contacts in the event of any issues.

Read more
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is down to $200. It’s one of my favorites
Running a Health Snapshot on the Garmin Vivoactive 5.

Looking for great smartwatch deals? Go straight to the source with $100 off the Garmin Vivoactive 5 at Garmin right now. The stylish watch normally costs $300, but today you can buy it for $200, saving a huge chunk of change. Garmin won’t guarantee that it will arrive before Christmas Day, but if you’re looking to buy something to work on your fitness goals in the new year, this is still a very good deal. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is one of my personal favorite smartwatches, and I used it for a significant portion of 2024. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

Why you should buy the Garmin Vivoactive 5
In our Garmin Vivoactive 5 review, we called it a “winner,” citing its “excellent health tracking” and “long battery life,” as well as its “gorgeous AMOLED display.” The Garmin Vivoactive 5 may not be in our look at the best Garmins but it's still a fantastic option.

Read more