O2

A Lumia 820 dummy display unit has been spotted at an O2 UK store. the Windows Phone hasn't yet been announced by the carrier, but we've been previously informed that the Lumia 920 will be stocked in due course. While this is by no means official confirmation, there's little reason for O2 to actually have a dummy unit in-store if they weren't at least planning on selling one. 

The Samsung ATIV S in its glory

The Samsung ATIV S is heading to O2 UK, according to the coming soon section of the carrier's website. While no price or dates for availability are provided, it's good to see a UK operator step up and unveil Samsung's latest Windows Phone. Samsung has come under scrutiny by consumers who believe the manufacturer has done little for Windows Phone except release uninspired hardware.

Both the HTC 8X and HTC 8S are on their way to UK carrier O2, according to the "coming soon" section of its website. While no dates for availability are provided, we can speculate using pre-order product listings published by Amazon and other retailers to reach a rough estimation. 

The HTC 8X will be able to make use of O2's upcoming LTE network, which will be rolled out thanks to the carrier, Ofcom and the UK government reaching an agreement to bring forward the originally set date for when the UK will begin to see LTE be deployed by carriers.

Chrome finish and sleek lines come as standard

O2 UK have announced via their coming soon page that the Nokia's Tango-flavoured Lumia 610 will be arriving this month. Availability is simply set as July so that should be any time now.

The 610 has been built from the ground up to adhere to the new lower specification requirements made possible with Tango. The new lower spec devices have courted some controversy due to a lack of 100% application compatibility. The Lumia 610 represents Nokia’s attempt to bring the price of Windows Phone down sufficiently to allow it to be sold on great value monthly contracts or the ever-popular Pay-As-You-Go. I think its great Nokia are endeavouring to get these phones to as many people as possible. In my opinion, based on some limited time with the device, they have done well to keep the quality up. I would be surprised if it’s not a popular choice for Pay As You Go consumers.

The Lumia 610 being a Tango spec device means it’s not quite as compatible with the full range Marketplace apps as other Windows Phones. Still, it should still give users who are on a budget a far better app compatibility experience than the lower spec Android devices, which compete at the same price. I would expect with Nokia behind the push on this for the remaining apps that do have issues running to get a update to allow operation shortly. After all, getting more Windows Phone users on board and into the eco system is imperative for the future of the platform.

O2 Showing Windows Phone some Love?

Windows Phones - Three Models Available (including the 610)

Its good to see O2 continue their support of the platform. I would however like to see their website list Windows Phone as a category in their hot links. They also still list Windows Phone as simply "Windows" which is not that helpful. O2 currently only stock three Windows Phone handsets, the Lumia 610, 710 and the 800. Last time I checked their O2 Priority moment’s customer incentives app is still unavailable for Windows Phone also.

Still the arrival of the Lumia 610 is positive, think you might grab one?

Source: O2 UK; via The Register

Well colour us all surprised. O2 Germany has confirmed, via Twitter, that the 32GB Lumia 900 is actually what's on offer and is not a typo on the website as we first presumed. The Windows Phone in question isn't just any old Lumia 900 either, it's the glossy white version, which has been listed on the carriers website as "coming soon"

There's still no word on pricing or availability just yet, and it'll be interesting to see if this 32GB variant makes its way elsewhere, especially with some owners demanding more storage.

Check out O2's tweet below (ignore the rough translation):

As well as the above official confirmation, Twitter user XB-Mod tweeted a photo of an O2 product listing documentation detailing the same specification. Looks as though Germany will either get to play around with a Lumia 900 with larger storage capacity exclusive to O2, or wake up tomorrow to an apology from the carrier for an error that has escalated to both the website and pressers.

Amazon.de also lists the Lumia 900 with an availability date of May 31st, at a price of EUR 575,00, but with only 16GB storage.

Update: Sorry folks, it seems O2 has changed the Lumia 900 specifications on their website to reflect 16GB. Looks like it was a typo and O2 was incorrect when confirming that it actually was 32GB. Thanks Pavel for letting us know of the change!

Source: O2 Germany (Twitter), @XB_Mod; thanks Ruben for the tip!

The Lumia 900 Windows Phone is making its way across Europe and beyond, after unexpected demand in the U.S. crippled production which subsequently led to delays for other markets. We've now got word of O2 Germany looking to pack the international version of the flagship Nokia smartphone with the website stating its "coming soon". ETA? Early June.

The Lumia 900 sports a 1.4Ghz chip, 4.3" AMOLED display, 16GB storage, and a 8MP rear camera with a 1MP front-facing camera. Note that you'll be required to have a micro-SIM to use the Lumia 900, which O2 will be able to supply (you can also get your normal sized SIM cut at retailers that offer this service). Be sure to register your interest on O2's website, unfortunately there's no word on pricing just yet.

Update: Amazon.de has the phone listed for May 31st as well for EUR 575,00.

Source: O2 DE; thanks Dirk  and Mark T., for the heads up!

The O2 UK blog has featured the Nokia Lumia 800 in an article that recommends top smartphones for different consumer needs and desires. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the "must have for anyone who wants the latest and greatest", but it's the Lumia 800 that interests us with being recommended as the perfect option for those what want something different.

"As good as all of the above devices are, they're all part of the established order of smartphone devices and platforms. If you yearn for something a little different, the Nokia Lumia 800 will be like a breath of fresh air.

First up there's the phone’s unique design, which adopts an unusual all-in-on polycarbonate shell that's as durable as it is striking to look at. What really makes the Lumia 800 feel fresh is its Windows Phone Mango operating system, which presents a heavily stylised but ultra-intuitive interface and peerless compatibility with Microsoft Office and Xbox Live."

Not a bad description, eh? Nice to see O2 actually recognise the beauty of not only Nokia's hardware, but Microsoft's mobile OS. If you'd like to note something else that's relatively interesting - the O2 UK blog header features Windows Phones (see above image).

Source: O2 UK Blog, thanks serenityangel for the tip!

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. 

The Nokia Lumia 800 seems to be selling relatively well, probably thanks to the sheer size of the marketing campaign that the Finnish handset manufacturer has embarked on across Europe, and soon the U.S. Websites such as Expansys in Australia have the Lumia 800 ranking #1 in top seller lists. The handset is also packing a punch in Germany (on o2 of all carriers), beating the Samsung Galaxy S II, Nexus, and more.

Nokia were previously setting up blocks of ice that contained a Lumia 800, which made it possible for viewers to watch as the public attempted to smash through the element and get their paws on the Windows Phone. It's good to see the German public are actually purchasing the device as well as wandering around with a pickaxe.

Source: o2, thanks Dirk for the heads up!