[sc:mobile-category ]Ok, so Samsung has stolen a bit of Nokia’s thunder and announced their first Windows Phone 8 device a week before Nokia’s big event on Sept. 5th. But is that a bad thing? Heck no. The more the merrier at the Windows Phone 8 party and the fact that Samsung felt the HAD to announce something before Nokia is a great sign that they want to complete in the Windows Phone 8 arena.
So first things first. What the heck is with the name? ATIV S? I’ve read a dozen stories about it and I still had to go back and look it up because I couldn’t remember it. Come on Samsung, you name your Android devices with easy to remember words like Galaxy, why no marketing love for Windows Phone 8?
Secondly, it does look like a great phone. My first thought though was about the Windows button. In the first few pictures I saw it kind of looked like it was raised up. But subsequent images seem to have in recessed. Either way I’m not sure a mix of physical and capacitive buttons on the front make sense.
HTC still hasn’t announced anything official, but a leaked image of an upcoming WP8 device certainly sets a different tone for their hardware than their WP7 devices. I don’t think I like the colour, but otherwise it would be great to see HTC make a bold design statement like this.
And then there was Nokia. The amount of leaks about the press conference is epic. From everything we know it looks like they will be announcing the 820 and 920. However just today a juicy tidbit was rumored as well, wireless charging! And standards based none the less! This has been on my wish list for years now and if the 920 does support it then it will most certainly be my next phone.
The same article mentions that the PureView will not be the 41 megapixel monster, but a more standard 8mp. Not an issue for me. Camera phones are fast and convenient, not for professional level photography.
But what else might Nokia have up its sleeve. I think it’s entirely possible that they will announce a Windows RT tablet as well. Nokia has said they want in the table game and Windows is the most obvious choice for them. Could we see the 820/920/tablet all be available on Oct.26, the official launch day of Windows 8?
Here’s looking forward to a great September 5!
