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发帖数: 2172 | 1 http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Nokia-Samsung-Even
Nokia’s introduction of the Microsoft Windows Phone 8-based Lumia 920 and
820 was what has become a typical product launch in the wireless business.
Lots of hype, speeches from CEOs, tantalizing details about new features,
and breathless commentary from company executives. None of this is
surprising. But unlike Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 introduction, it’s not
the only such launch.
Samsung quietly showed a few reporters their new Ativ phone running Windows
Phone 8 during the IFA show in Berlin at the end of August. This super thin
device with its 4.8 inch display and 2300 mAh battery will feature NFC and
HSPA+, but unlike the Nokia Lumia it does not support CDMA or Long-Term
Evolution (LTE).
HTC, meanwhile will be launching its 8 series of phones, which will run
Windows Phone 8 probably on Sept. 19. The company is planning at least three
Windows 8 phones, 8X, 8S and 8V, using the same numbering concept as it
uses for its One series of Android phones. The HTC 8X will be the Windows
Phone flagship.
Huawei plans to be next in the line of Windows 8 phone announcements with a
line of prepaid Windows Phone 8 devices. Chinese manufacturer ZTE has also
said it will be releasing a series of Windows Phone 8 devices in 2013, but
the details of the device and the date of introduction are still unclear.
Missing from this list is current Windows Phone 7 maker LG. There are rumors
that LG will eventually launch a Windows 8 phone, but right now those are
just rumors.
The list of U.S. carriers planning to sell Windows Phone 8 devices isn’t
surprising. AT&T and Verizon Wireless have already confirmed that they will
be selling the Nokia 920 and probably the 820. It wouldn’t be surprising to
see T-Mobile, which already sells Nokia Windows Phones, get one or both of
these devices. Sprint, which only sold one Windows Phone 7 device which has
been discontinued, remains a question mark.
Meanwhile, TMONews is saying that T-Mobile will get the Samsung Odyssey
running Windows Phone 8. T-Mobile has been selling Windows 7 phones from
Nokia and HTC for some time. In addition, T-Mobile has had a very strong
relationship with Samsung for years, so finding that the fourth largest
carrier in the United States, the one that doesn’t sell the iPhone, is
making a strong push for Windows Phone 8 should be no surprise. What is
interesting is the indication that the new T-Mobile Samsung Odyssey will
support LTE – but then T-Mobile has been saying for some time that it will
launch LTE nationwide in 2013.
Of course all of this Windows Phone 8 activity is taking place under a
shadow from the looming introduction of Apple’s iPhone 5. That device will
be announced by Apple on Sept. 12, and will begin selling on or about Sept.
21. For the Apple faithful, this is an event of critical importance.
And there’s no question that Apple will sell a couple million iPhones on
the first day it’s available. The iPhone 5 will be a very popular phone.
For a few days, at least, it will eclipse everything else. But after the
hype dies down, the iPhone 5 is still an iPhone. It will have a slightly
larger screen, it will be faster than current iPhones, but it will not be a
departure from the iPhones of yore. The iPhone iFans depend on Apple’s
conservative rate of change. They want their changes to come slowly and
predictably, and Apple accommodates them.
This is where Microsoft offers a real alternative.
Windows Phone 8 is not a continuation of the design created by Apple and a
slew of predecessors. It’s something new. And unlike the iPhone, which
comes in basically one flavor, Windows 8 phones will be available from
several makers with a variety of features and a range of price points. While
Windows Phone 8 will be standardized, the hardware won’t, which means you
will be able to get a phone with a large screen, a phone that supports LTE,
a phone that has a seriously good camera, or some combination. You aren’t
stuck with one configuration and one manufacturer.
But it’s important to note that Microsoft isn’t positioning Windows Phone
8 or the devices that support it as iPhone killers. They aren’t. What they
are would better be described as iPhone alternatives. Despite its popularity
, Apple’s iPhone is not universally loved. Far more people buy devices
other than iPhones than buy iPhones. Right now, most of those people choose
Android devices, but that’s because it’s the only other viable alternative.
What this means is that the majority of buyers are looking for something
that offers a wide range of features and price points, but that isn’t an
iPhone. That’s the place where Microsoft wants Windows Phone 8 to be, and
considering that previous Windows Phones have sold very well, there’s every
reason to believe that they will sell in even larger numbers once there is
more choice and a better alternative. | c********n
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