nokia lumia

Just a couple days after the Lumia 900 showed up for sale on a Czech site, it looks like the its brethren Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 are headed that way too.  Computerworld.cz is reporting that the two Nokias are coming to the Czech Republic on February 1.  They will be available on all of the country's carriers (O2, T-mobile and Vodafone), along with the Electroworld retail chain and Alza.cz e-shop.  Word is that the 710 will fetch about 7,990 CZK and the 800 an estimated 12 490 CZK. 

The two handsets will come with the Nokia Collection, Nokia's own app marketplace, as well as a twist: a choice of search engines.  Users will be able to select the factory-installed Bing search or opt for Czech search engine, Seznam.cz. 

"Seznam.cz is a Czech company focused on the Czech market. We are glad that we got the opportunity to offer our users the Czech search. In cooperation with the Czech representation of Nokia, we modified the home page as searching and displaying results specifically for phones Lumia, to the best possible user experience, "says Ivan Mikula, product manager for mobile services Seznam.cz. (Please forgive the Google Translate)

The search engine option is surprising, given its tight integration in Windows Phone and Nokia's close relationship with Microsoft.  However, it's also a great way for Nokia, and Microsoft for that matter, to break into smaller smartphone markets around the world.  A similar strategy was taken up by T-Mobile who had Google as their default search engine and later offered a selector to choose between Google and Bing.

Source: ComputerWorld; Thanks for the tip, petibear!

Good news for our Irish brothers, Vodafone IE is looking to bring the Lumia 800 to Ireland. Nokia's flagship Windows Phone has received positive attention from both the bloggersphere and owners across Europe, which will make the handset a welcomed addition to the Irish arsenal. No word yet on pricing or availability, but we would hazard a guess that it'll be competitive and be in line with what we've seen in the UK.

Source: Vodafone, thanks Liam for the tip!

The Lumia 900 (or the "Ace" if you will) has been announced today at CES 2012, and has lived up to expectations. Not only that, but the handset has now been added to Nokia's website and has taken over the homepage to give the Windows Phone maximum exposure to incoming traffic.

Should you be interested in the features and specifications, head on over to Nokia's website for more detail.

Source: Nokia

The Nokia Lumia 800 is available to order from Newegg, for just $549.99, which isn't a bad price at all for an unlocked mid-range Windows Phone. The handset sports a 1.4Ghz processor, 8MP camera (with Carl Zeiss optics), 16GB storage, and a 3.7" AMOLED screen with Clear Black technology.

Check out our full review of the Lumia 800 for more detail. As a bonus, a limited offer is currently available that will see the purchase of the 800 being accompanied by a Bluetooth accessory.

Source: Newegg, thanks TriAxis for the tip!

Paul Thurrott, over at his supersite for Windows, has revealed some information that will be later announced at the upcoming CES.   In the article Thurrott notes the carrier will be shipping the Nokia Lumia 710 (code name "Sword" a name we've seen before) in April 2012, and it's not certain what the plan is with Verizon and an LTE Windows Phone. Hopefully a more powerful handset will be featured in the next year. We'll have to see how Microsoft and manufacturers plan to push forward.

What is clear though, assuming this is accurate, is that Verizon is not at all keen on Windows Phone, with our without LTE or with Nokia's backing. That's some cojones, in our opinion and a big middle finger to their customers.

The Lumia 710 will be available on T-Mobile in January 2012, which will provide the T-Mobile three months exclusivity before Verizon begins shipping.

Source: WinSuperSite

Yesterday we published an article that went into the confusion surrounding O2 and the Nokia Lumia 800, specifically the product page of the handset being no longer available on the web store, but is being pushed out in high street carrier stores. We contacted O2 and popped in-store to see if we could dig up any information that would explain the situation, and we came away with the possibility of the carrier dropping support, or simply being out of stock for the website.

O2 has since contacted us to clarify (third time lucky!) what's actually happening. Turns out, the carrier is set to continue to support Nokia's handset -- and Windows Phone for that matter. They've simply sold out on the web store, so fear not if you're after the Mango device and are tied to the network. An official statement from O2 can be found below:

"The Nokia 800 is currently out of stock online but is available in O2 stores - it'll be back in stock online soon. Customers who've already purchased Nokia 800's without O2 apps pre-installed will be able to download them separately - we will be including them on Nokia 800's later in 2012."

Popping into your local O2 store should result in a Lumia 800 purchase. While this doesn't explain why the representative would state that the carrier is dropping support, it does send a strong message to customers that O2 is behind the platform. 

Things have changed at Three UK, as it was only a few months ago that we ran the story of the carrier making the decision as to whether or not the company should continue to stock Windows Phones. The carrier was on the wagon back in 2010 with the Samsung Omnia 7, but has now been effectively pushing the Nokia Lumia 800 since its release. Should you be waiting for the Lumia 710 and be on Three, then you'll be happy to learn that the carrier is bringing Lumia 710 back.

Be sure to head on over and register your interest for updates.

Source: ThreeUK, thanks TheWeeBear for the tip!

We've witnessed the marketing power of the Nokia "The Amazing Everyday" campaign throughout Europe, and the public in New York and Paris have had the opportunity to stand in awe at the sight of a giant Windows Phone. Now it seems Nokia wishes to push its way through India, launching the Lumia 710 and 800 today, with a planned marketing campaign - and it's big.

To give an idea as to how massive this campaign will be, check out the list below:

• Impromptu dance performance in Mumbai with free food and drink.
• Luxury helicopter ride for consumers in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
• Exclusive premiere for pre-bookers with tennis star Sania Mirza at the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon.
• Musical event, and artificial snow zones recreated at certain PVR outlets, in Delhi.
• Toll exemption for more than 15,000 vehicles on the DND freeway, connecting Delhi and Noida.
• Salt Lake will feature a "winter wonderland" created with artificial snow in Kolkata.

As well as the above list, we'll be excited to see an "aggressive" promotion and advertising strategy being put into effect. We've already had a flash mob performance at malls in five cities, so it'll be interesting to see how the manufacturer expands on this throughout the country. The Lumia 710 and 800 can be picked up for Rs 18,999 ($360) and Rs 29,999 ($570) respectively. 

Source: India Times, Think Digit, thanks Rohit for the tip!

In anticipation of T-Mobile's event tonight in NYC, Nokia has posted a press pamphlet for the T-Mobile-branded Lumia 710, which will be available on January 11.  The packet includes a full spec sheet as well as some press shots.  Nokia has also revealed that the Lumia 710 will sell for a downright steal of $49.99.  It will be available in black or white, with the option to swap out the backplate for something flashier.  There is also a wealth pre-loaded apps:

• Nokia Drive
• The Weather Channel
• ESPN
• Netflix
• App Highlights
• T-Mobile TV
• My Account
• Slacker Radio
• TeleNav GPS

Despite the early spoiler from Nokia, we are looking forward to tonight's event and will be there in full force.  Check back here to get the latest tidbits from NYC and hit the jump to read the full presser from Nokia.

Source: Nokia