One of the biggest battery drains on the new HTC Thunderbolt is the LTE (4G or something like it) service.  To turn this service off follow the following easy step:

Dial *#*#4636#*#* from the phone application. Then you are taken to a hidden menu that allows you to switch from “CDMA + LTE/EvDo” to “CDMA auto” thus disabling the LTE radio.

Now enjoy your extended battery life!

This screenshot was submitted by email to cellphonesignal.com, which is being cited as T-Mobile’s release schedule for 2009.

The image shows fall releases of three new Android handsets:  The “HTC Sapphire”, the G1v.2 “Bigfoot”, and the Samsung “Houdini”, with the HTC Sapphire being scheduled for late summer/early fall and the other two a little later in the year.

A further look at each of these phones is forthcoming, we’ll start with the HTC Sapphire.

The HTC Sapphire/ MyTouch 3G

“HTC Sapphire” is listed on the chart at $179.  The HTC Sapphire will be released in the US as the MyTouch 3G.  Another leaked screenshot shows the MyTouch 3G in a T-Mobile price schedule with a white, black, and merlot color option.  According to Boygenius.com, “MyTouch 3G” was a choice in a survey distributed by T-Mobile looking for a release name for the HTC Magic.   

The likelihood is high that the MyTouch 3G is the HTC Magic.  The HTC Magic was released by Vodafone in the UK and Spain earlier this week and is set to come out in Germany today.  (Vodafone UK is offering it free with monthly contracts at £30 and up, and a similar deal exists in Germany.)  The Sapphire graphic in the chart definitely looks like a compressed little HTC Magic.

We’ve certainly seen the HTC Magic before and specs can be found in this previous post: http://www.blog.droidweb.com/?p=111

And are summarized here:

Check back for further information regarding the

G1v.2 “Bigfoot” and the Samsung “Houdini”.

.

Such is the sleek header found at HTC‘s website. However, underneath the surface, things aren’t so rosy. A recent report states that HTC suffered a 30% profit decrease. While most scapegoat skeptics would point towards the hopelessly flailing economy as a reason for this, others (myself included) point towards the fact that HTC expected the Magic to be released by now. Having leaked rumors back in January about the phone, we’ve been abuzz about the second iteration of Android devices (I’m reluctant to call this second generation). Originally slated for release this month, this device’s release date has been slid to May.

Why so serious delay? The explanation is simple. They’re waiting on Cupcake. The Magic has no slide out keyboard like the G1. The Magic, as one of its features, touts video capabilities. Both of these are features that aren’t coming to Android until the Cupcake update is released.

No Cupcake for you!

But while we [impatiently] wait for Cupcake to come out, lets look at the Magic and some of its specs, shall we?

Most data from: HTC product specs

Features

• Access to your favourite Google applications like Gmail™/Google Mail™, YouTube™, Google Maps™, Google Talk™, Calendar and Google™ Search
• High-speed 3.5G network connection and Wi-Fi technology with seamless transition to open networks
• 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus for quality image and video capture
• microSD™ (SD 2.0 compatible) expansion slot for all your storage needs
• 3.2-inch touch-sensitive screen with HVGA (320 X 480 pixel) resolution
• Support for Bluetooth wireless stereo headsets

Specifications

Pictures

EDIT: Apparently the Magic is up for pre-order as of April 17th, with a release date of May 1st. Does this mean that the first crumbs of Cupcake will be released by then?
Reference: droiddeveloper.com