US

Nokia's newest economically-friendly offering, the Lumia 520 has showed up for sale on eBay. This black or red, factory unlocked version looks to be the first 520 to be offered in the US and can be purchased outright for $239.99 using the Buy It Now option. Shipping is free.

New statistics via AdDuplex, the popular cross-promotion network for Windows 8 and Windows Phone apps, reveal that in just three months’ time there are now more active Windows Phone 8 users than Windows Phone 7.

No firm numbers for sales of Windows Phone 7 or Windows Phone 8 have ever been revealed but at least according to AdDuplex’s data, Windows Phone 8 now accounts for 50.01% of Windows Phones using the AdDuplex network while Windows Phone 7.x has fallen to 49.99%.

HTC and T-Mobile US have both today announced a partnership to provide children with life threatening illnesses and their families the opportunity to visit the Give Kids The World Village (givekidstheworld.org) and spend some time at the nonprofit "storybook" resort. Starting this Friday (November 23rd) through December 31st, those who purchase a HTC 8X from a T-Mobile authorised retailer will have the option to donate $1 of their purchase to Give The Kids World.

This is to help the donation pool to grow up to $75,000 and unlock the potential to provide an invaluable opportunity for a multitude of families. It's fitting that a Windows Phone 8 handset is used in this promotion for the charity as it sports Kid's Corner - a unique feature that enables parents to control exactly what their children have access to on the mobile device.

The HTC 8S has passed through the FCC, and it's revealed that the Windows Phone 8 handset will support both T-Mobile US and AT&T HSPA bands. While this is not to say other carriers wont pick up the device at a later point, it confirms availability for consumers who are with either network.

The Microsoft Surface has been selling well since it was launched with pre-orders making alerts appear on the company's online store - "Out of stock". This has applied to models across the range, and in a number of markets. The tablets were unavailable in the UK and Canada only a week ago.

Microsoft has just started its ramping up efforts to begin promotion of its upcoming Surface tablet. It kicked off in full with the Surface Movement ad that was aired during television show Dancing with the stars.

While many of us have wondered about the effectiveness of the ads it looks as though initial ad has scored high with consumers according to advertising analyst company Ace Metrix.

Nokia has done direct marketing and sales in Europe but never in the US

From a new job posting that was sent in to Windows Phone Central, it appears that Nokia will be hiring folks from November 12th through December 31st to work in direct retail situations in mall kiosks and shops in the US.

The job requests are smartly being targeted at colleges where students could surely use the extra money and who would be more familiar with the nomenclature. We’re actually a bit excited to see this as it ties in nicely with Microsoft’s own Holiday stores and kiosks that are appearing in malls across the country.

The jobs are part-time or full-time, pay between $15-17 an hour with a completion bonus on hand. Candidates are to have past retail experience, a knowledge of technology and of course passion for the job.

Kantar Worldpanel has published its report based on latest smartphone sales data, which reveals Windows Phone seriously challenging RIM for third place in Europe with low-end devices such as the Lumia 610 driving sales in key markets.

Low-end Windows Phone growth rates representing multiple markets within Europe have been provided by Kantar. Italy tops the charts with an increase in market share of 6.6%, while France comes in second at 3.5% and Great Britan is third with 2.3%. What's more is Microsoft now sports 10.4% marketshare in Italy with Windows Phone.

Nokia is marketing the recently launched magenta Lumia 900 Windows Phone by launching nail polish to match the unique smartphone colour. Designed by Duality Cosmetics, the "Nokia Lumia Pink" is an exclusive nail polish that's only available at one-day salons Nokia is hosting in Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles. Nicki Minaj nail stylist Kandi Banks will be on-hand to offer pink manicures and pedicures for those who pop on down when the salons are hosted nearby.

Much like the previous Nicki Minaj concert, as well as the London 4D light show with Deadmau5, this isn't going to boost sales of the Lumia 900, but is more to do with pushing the device and Windows Phone brand beyond those who follow tech news and know enough about mobile phones. There's a fairly sizeable world out there, which Nokia has intended to tackle. With these one-day events, instead of targeting solely women, Nokia invited everyone to come play with the Lumia handsets (as can be witnessed by the hairy faces in the Dallas Lumia Lounge photo gallery).