First the Surface Tablet and now a Microsoft Phone?

http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-does-indeed-have-their-own-windows-phone

Making their own tablet, and now their own phone -- MS are becoming Apple!

Any Softies willing to end their careers and tell us more?

Herbie

So at the Build conference (details which are still secret),  they give out a Microsoft Tablet, the Microsoft phone, and the new Xbox all running windows 8.   Thats a story that gets developers on board and puts a big bullet into Apple and Android.  Only 4 weeks till cat is out of the bag but I think leaks start coming more rapidly

@TexasToast:I don't think a rumour will materialise into hardware given out at Build in less than 3 weeks.

(But it's a sweet idea)

So it would be like the MS version of the Nexus with the Lumia 920 being the GS3 of WP8 phones.
I guess as long as an MS phone is only ever sold unlocked and mostly online (and maybe in MS stores) then it would just be the "reference" phone for geekier costumers.
We'll see.
As long as it's lighter than a 920 and looks at least as good as a Nokia it could end up being a nice device, if it exists but I doubt MS could just put out it's first ever phone and get everything as good as a company with such experience as Nokia. Of course from what we've seen, their first computer ever (Surface) looks like amazing hardware.

@blowdart:June?  That's nearly two cat-years, plenty of time for a strategy reversal!

Herbie

http://www.denverpost.com/rawnews/ci_21687244/nokia-sell-hq-finland-but-no-plans-move

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Nokia plans to sell its corporate headquarters in Finland ~ $390M. 

Will they be assimilated? (and all their phones are belong to us?) NOK => MSFT?

Lets look at the facts we have today. 

1. Nokia deal with partnering with Microsoft and today Nokia looking to sell HQ facility for cash influx.

2. Build conference was a last minute decision around June/July timeframe when windows 8 phone idea starting becoming real.

3. Microsoft already demoed tablet with windows 8 at last years conference.  Tablet is not enough to make a headline this year. (even ARM based one) 

4. The PC / laptop / ultrabook is not dead nor is there a future where mainstream business/engineers/accountants use tablets to do work.  More investment still will go into PC's.

5. Xbox is dominating now and Microsoft is not going to let this platform get old.  Tight lips here on this one but you know the new Xbox is coming very soon.

Based on this I think Microsofts phone will be a temporary item for prototyping and not for general audience.  Surface tablet also will be phased out once vendors get on board to understand what Microsoft wants them to deliver.   Microsoft will stay Microsoft and not become MicroHard.   Making hardware is not where they want to go.  But they want the hardware vendors to know that if they promote Google Android for much longer that Microsoft will play hardball with them. 

"Microhard", like it..

6 minutes ago, Ian2 wrote

"Microhard", like it..

For some reason I have the urge to say "Fnarr, Fnarr".

Herbie

2 hours ago, TexasToast wrote

So at the Build conference (details which are still secret),  they give out a Microsoft Tablet, the Microsoft phone, and the new Xbox all running windows 8.   Thats a story that gets developers on board and puts a big bullet into Apple and Android.  Only 4 weeks till cat is out of the bag but I think leaks start coming more rapidly

That would be fantastic. But I don't think we'll see the new Xbox until Christmas 2013. All we've had leaked so far are some very early design ideas.

I think devs get an HTC 8X at Build to go with their ARM Surface and copy of Windows 8 Pro and VS2012 Pro.

1 hour ago, spivonious wrote

*snip*

I think devs get an HTC 8X at Build to go with their ARM Surface and copy of Windows 8 Pro and VS2012 Pro.

I second that bet. They've got Nokia well positioned to represent their "premium" phone. The only reason they can't sell it art a premium price is market share.

I suspect that part of the reason Microsoft states that the Surface tablets won't affect OEMs is that they will be priced really high as a "premium" option. If OEMs steal some design ideas from it no sweat off Microsoft's back since I don't believe they really ever intended to become massively invested in hardware (unless of course people fall for it like they did with Apple's hardware then that's a whole other ballgame).

1 hour ago, Dr Herbie wrote

*snip*

For some reason I have the urge to say "Fnarr, Fnarr".

Herbie

In March 2011, the Oxford English Dictionary announced it had added an entry for "fnarr fnarr" as part of its regular update.

Doh!   And y'all blame us Yanks for changing the language for the worse?

"Tsssk Tsssk".    

@JohnAskew: When we do it, it's "culture", when you do it it's "a bastardisation of our great language".

Herbie

http://www.finbarrsaunders.com/

8 minutes ago, Dr Herbie wrote

@JohnAskew: When we do it, it's "culture", when you do it it's "a bastardization of our great language".

Herbie

FIFY

1 hour ago, spivonious wrote

*snip*

I think devs get an HTC 8X at Build to go with their ARM Surface and copy of Windows 8 Pro and VS2012 Pro.

The MS guys over here are touting a fairly utilitarian boxy ARM device which looks to be a developer only / testing prototype - happy to say that my 4 Apps seem to run OK out of the box so hats off to MS, albeit early days yet. 

Could be this Nokia tablet we see more of at BUILD? http://wmpoweruser.com/nokia-working-on-a-windows-rt-tablet-currently-used-for-app-testing/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Have to be honest I would also love a Lumia 920 - I am sold on the Nokia Apps and like the big screen / wireless charging. 

@cbae: