release

It's no mystery that the Nokia Lumia 900 is close to being released here in the U.S. Our latest info was (and still is) March 18th where the flagship device is expected to sell for $99 on contract.

We reported a few days ago that AT&T was gearing up for release with a "Coming soon" on their site. Many of you speculated in comments that this was probably related to the "new" iPad release but alas, AT&T has a new iPad page up and that "Coming soon" one is still there (it's the 2nd slide). Check and mate.

What's more, we have word from at least one developer that Nokia has already delivered some Lumia 900s to devs including the one that we spoke with. We're not sure what a dev (or Windows Phone site, ahem) has to do to get one of those 900s but evidently they are going out.

Finally, as reported on The Nokia Blog, Nokia is holding a job recruitment day in San Diego on March 15th for over 100 new positions at their offices located there. The all-day event will be peppered with, you guessed it, Lumia 900 giveaways every 30 minutes via a raffle.

All of that is telling us that the Lumia 900 is right around the corner. Will it be the 18th? We sure think so and hopefully something "official" will come forth soon.

Update: And like clockwork, we have word from BGR that the Lumia 900 on AT&T is delayed to Aprill 22nd. Sad Panda.

It has been almost a year since we last heard of an official Qantas app being developed for Windows Phone at MIX '11 (see our wrap up for more details). We've now caught word from their Twitter account that the app, which has been somewhat-delayed, will be available this month (March).

Windows Phone owners who use Australia's flag carrier to hop between countries will be pleased to learn that development of the app is at a stage where it's ready to be submitted and / or approved. The Qantas Windows Phone app will enable users to view upcoming flight times, quickest routes to airports, check into a flight, and more.

We'll update with a follow-up post when the app has been released with more details (and screenshots) available, so keep an eye on this space.

Source: @GCrance1982; thanks Geoff for the tip!

Good news Domino's Pizza lovers, the fine establishment has released a Windows Phone app (for the UK & Ireland) that conveniently allows users to order their favourite pizzas from the comfort of their handset. The Domino's iOS app is as aesthetically pleasing as they come, so our expectations are high with what can be achieved visually with the Metro UI. We have not been failed, as (can be seen above) the app is very good looking.

Should you be after drinks, sides, desserts, deals, or just the 13" beasts themselves, the Domino's Pizza app allows one to achieve this with style:

• A Full Menu
• Store Locator
• All Meal Deals available
• Ability to Customise Your Pizza with extra toppings or special requests
• Payment via credit card, cash or on collection

The next version is already in the works that will introduce voucher usage, so we expect to see an update soon. You can download Domino's Pizza from the Marketplace for free, enjoy!

Thanks Carl for the tip!

We previously touched on Wordfeud close to the end of 2011 with an email reply from the development team who stated a Windows Phone version of the cross-platform multiplayer word game is on the way. Now we can see the app in action on a Nokia Lumia 800 in the above photo. 

In the post over on the Wordfeud blog the team state that they're looking at a February 1st release. Good news for those who are awaiting this title.

Source: Wordfeud, thanks Rob for the heads up!

Microsoft has come under fire more than once for the lack of communication between the team and consumers when it comes to updates rolling out for Windows Phone. Today Eric Hautala, General Manager Customer Experience Engineering, published an article on the Windows Phone team blog detailing changes that are in the pipeline that will change how we are kept up to speed on Windows Phone updates.

The Windows Phone website already details what updates are rolling out for each supported carrier (and country), but individual releases are also covered on the official blog and the "Where's my update?" page. In the coming months, Windows Phone users can keep up to date by checking the Windows Phone Update Central site for update information. Hautala explains, 

"There are also a few changes on the way for the blog and website. As we continue our growth, we won’t be individually detailing country, model, and carrier details on the Where’s My Phone Update? site any longer. And instead of my weekly blog posts, the official Windows Phone website will be the primary place for news and information about our updates, just as Microsoft Answers is there for your support questions."

Hopefully this move won't stimey the flow of information on our Windows Phone updates.

As well as the above alterations, Hautala took a moment to thank all Windows Phone owners for the feedback the team has received surrounding the update process, which has helped them perform tweaks and enhancements. He encourages everyone to keep the cards and letters coming via the WindowsPhoneTeamSite, Twitter and Facebook.

The future is set to be fairly bright. Roll on CES 2012.

Update: The direct link is dead for some reason, but the article is still up on the main site.

Update 2: Link fixed

Source: Windows Phone Team Blog; thanks, ousooner314, for the tip!

In France, the Nokia Lumia 800 was set to be released widely on November 16th. Things change, though, and it looks like some customers of The Phone House in France have already been ordering the device through the online store, and are set to receive the phone by this Thursday or Friday. Since it is only Tuesday and deliveries aren't to be made until at least Thursday, we can't confirm that the devices are actually making it out to customers, but this tweet sent by @ThePhoneHouse should be reassuring (even if it is translated roughly using Google). They've already shipped the first Nokia Lumia to someone who ordered the device recently:

You can get the Nokia Lumia 800 of the Black or Cyan varieties from the web-store linked below for €99 with a contract, or €499 without. You can choose one of four carriers to be the home for your device: SFR, Virgin Mobile, Bouygues and Orange. If you do want to try to get the Nokia phone right now through The Phone House, let us know in the comments. You'll be among some of the first in the world to get what could be the most highly anticipated WP7 device released this year.

Source: The Phone House; Via: ProfesseurThibault

We've been in touch with Three UK after they announced stocking the Nokia Lumia 800. While the 16th has been announced as the date when the handset will be made available, it's interesting to note that (on Three UK at least) the carrier is only stocking the Cyan and Black colours of the 800 and the dates of availability seem to differ between the choice of colour: 

• Black Nokia 800 - 16th November
• Cyan Nokia 800 - 28th November

Quite a large gap, we must say. Have you ordered the Nokia 800 and noticed a delivery delay elsewhere?

We just received a tip from an anonymous reader (he wishes to remain protected - we've sent WPCentral bouncers round as we speak) who reports that he's received an email notification from both Microsoft and a manufacturer (specifically not Samsung or HTC) to downgrade Mango-powered devices and revert back to a previous test version.

"Hello today we got an email notification from both MS and our Vendor for whom we test it's unreleased (TBR) device (not Sammy or HTC) to DOWNGRADE our Mango units to previous TEST Windows Phone Version as to check MS Servers for smooth Mango deployment/update and if all the Servers are prepped..."

It will then be the case to test the Mango deployment and ensure that Microsoft and the WP team get everything prepped and ready for end-users. Looks like this is fitting in with rumours and speculation that Mango is pretty ripe and ready to burst - it's the 15th tomorrow. Have we all got our kitchen knives at the ready? This fruit is going to be so sweet sliced.

Thanks to our anonymous tipster for the heads up!

As expected, the press conference with KDDI/AU, Microsoft Japan and Toshiba-Fujitsu just wrapped up. The big news of course those is the revealing of the IS12T, one of the first official "Mango" phones to be made available in the coming weeks.

Here are the device specs, given during the presentation:

• 32GB memory
• 3 colors: Yellow, Pink, Black
• Waterproof
• MSM8655
• 3.7" TF LCD screen
• 13.2 MP camera (!)
• 59x118x10.6mm
• 113g

Release date appears to be on track for September or after, a bit later than previously reported. We have to admit, with a 13MP camera, waterproof, 32GB of memory and those fun colors, this could be a big seller in Japan.

(Additional info via NanaPho; photo via Engadget)