Rumor: Nokia heading to AT&T and T-Mobile with affordable devices, Verizon with the high-end?

The Nokia Blog (which is unofficial by the way) has an interesting piece of gossip about Nokia's upcoming Windows Phone strategy in the United States. For one, their "very reliable source" claims the Sea Ray will not make its way stateside which is a surprising move. However it could be that carriers have had some influence over Nokia's devices and so the Sea Ray design may not have made the transition. The second piece of the rumor organizes how Nokia devices will be represented on each of the major carriers. AT&T and T-Mobile are said to receive "affordable" devices, which probably equates to a mid-range handset for between $100 and $150 on contract. Meanwhile Verizon, who was the very last to enter the Windows Phone race, is going to carry a high-end model. Nothing else was mentioned so we don't know what to make of this.

If this is true, how do you feel about AT&T and T-Mobile, the original Windows Phone launch partners, getting the shaft on a new Nokia while Verizon swoops in to yank the high-end? What about the seemingly left-out Sprint users out there?

Via: WMPU
Source: The Nokia Blog

Deal: Dell Venue Pro's starting at $0.99 on contract, Unlocked for $299

Alright, we'll confess: we are utterly enamored by the Dell Venue Pro. From the hardware perspective, the phone is one of the most distinct in the market and is one of the few first-generation Windows Phone devices to feel 'premium' compared to others. It's a damn shame that the device has had so many software bugs that have detracted what should have otherwise been a solid device.

But with a major software update on the horizon to quell many of the issues that have hampered the phone, right now might be a good time to pick up the device. Well we have some good news for prospective buyers: the Dell Venue Pro just got its pricetag slashed significantly across the board. Here's the pricing breakdown:

• T-Mobile version (with new 2-year contract):
• 8 GB - $0.99
• 16 GB - $49.99
• 32 GB - $99.99
• Unlocked T-Mobile or AT&T-compatible version (no-contract required):
• 16 GB - $299.99

If you're holding out for a Mango phone we wouldn't blame you if you passed up on this deal. However, if you're hoping to get your hands on a Mango phone made by Dell the outlook doesn't look very good, so you may just want to settle for the Dell Venue Pro while it's still cheap. If you're interested, head on over to the Dell website to order yours now.

Via: WPCentral
Source: Dell

Dell Venue Pro Firmware Update In-Progress, Promising Improved Wi-Fi and More

We've never had the opportunity to review the Dell Venue Pro ourselves (we requested one from Dell but never got a response) but when the majority of responses you read online from owners are negative, you have to assume something has gone wrong. Finally Malcolm Williams, a frequent contributor to WMPoweruser, brings news that Dell is close to completing their promised new firmware update which aims to resolve many of the issues plaguing Dell Venue Pros (including the new AT&T models). Owners of the unique but troubled device have plenty to look forward to when it finally arrives:

• The freezing issue when using Wi-Fi, likely the single biggest bug that has held the Venue Pro back since its launch, appears to have finally been fixed across ALL models.
• Signal strength is said to be hugely improved and Williams even claimed to have reached T-Mobile's HSPA+ network in Chicago with the new firmware. Also the firmware now has better signal optimization when the device communicates with cell towers; previously the device would continuously search for towers and thus drain the battery life faster than normal.
• A Yahoo mail bug has been resolved. Previously the inbox would fail to register with the lock screen for email notification.
• The Venue Pro's camera has seen several new additions including Metering Modes (determining the focus location), Exposure Compensation range (negates abnormal tint, especially with flash), and the Anti-Banding option.
• Performance is said to be much snappier in the new beta firmware despite lower benchmark scores when compared to NoDo. Williams specifically mentions that Fable: Coin Golf loads noticeably faster.

What was the root of all of these issues? Apparently Dell confirmed that it was in fact the MicroSD cards they have been using in their devices and users also knew this for quite some time before its confirmation. However in the end the beta appears to be resolving issues on every device configuration available, which is a very good sign for current owners. Finally, Williams touched upon the always important release date but unfortunately could not say much on it. Here's a quote from his writeup:

Of course, this leads to the question of when the firmware will be released. Days, weeks, months, next year? It won’t be next year, but it also won’t be tomorrow or next week. If I were a betting man, I would say next month tops, if everything goes smoothly. [...] Just give it time.

We had a few words to say about Dell and how disappointing their Windows Phone strategy has been so far despite its promising start, but the company has owned up to their mistakes and this is a reassuring sign for future Dell Windows Phones as well.

How do you feel about this future update? If you are a Venue Pro owner, is this enough to get you back on board or have you already moved on to greener pastures?

Source: WMPoweruser

Security Update Enters Scheduling Phase for HTC Surround, Samsung Users Still Waiting

The excruciatingly slow process for the 7392 Security Update originally released in May has knocked over one more obstacle in its path: the HTC Surround. Yes, the very same phone that was left in the cold while the Samsung Focus and LG Quantum received their NoDo updates has usurped the throne. The update has reached the scheduling phase while its AT&T cousin is sitting pretty on NoDo.

Michael Stroh has also addressed annoyed Samsung owners both in North America and in the United Kingdom, confirming that they are continuing their work with carriers to get the remaining updates finalized:

We’ve also made progress on getting the remaining Samsung Focus models updated. We’ve worked through the last of the technical hurdles with AT&T and Samsung, and are now actively scheduling the final set of tests and the subsequent roll out of updates to Focus handsets with the alternate memory. I don’t have hard dates yet.

Finally, we’re still working with Orange to resume update deliveries to Omnia 7 phones. I know some of you are frustrated—and I’m sorry about the delay. The team truly thought they were close last week—and are working to close on a schedule.

It sounds like this frustrating process is finally coming to a conclusion soon. Microsoft has plenty of time before this Fall, so let's hope they're working to improve the update timetable for Mango.

Source: Windows Phone Blog

Deal: HTC HD7S for $49.99 at Best Buy

In the market for the all new HTC HD7S? Well today is your lucky day! Best Buy is offering up the AT&T-ready 4.3" monster for a mere $49.99 with a two-year contract. Considering that AT&T itself is asking about four times that amount, we'd say this is a really phenomenal deal. If interested, check it out at the Best Buy product page via the source link.

Via: PocketNow
Source: Best Buy

Deal: Get a $25 Amazon Gift Card When You Purchase a Windows Phone

Man is it a good time to pick up a Windows Phone! AmazonWireless just began a pretty sweet promotion on their already cheap Windows Phone selection: if you pick one up from them before June 30th, 2011 you will receive a free Amazon Gift Card worth $25. We shop on Amazon pretty frequently, and $25 is a pretty nice incentive. Plus Amazon has every Windows Phone available for much lower prices, except for the AT&T HTC HD7S. Don't lose hope if you were planning to pick up that behemoth: the terms and conditions of the deal clearly states that all Windows Phones sold by AmazonWireless are eligible. So when the device officially launches June 5th, you should be able to pick it up and snag that $25 gift card as well. Here's the list of phones available along with pricing of each on a new 2-year contract and if you see something you like, hit up the source link.

• AT&T - HTC Surround - $0.01
• AT&T - LG Quantum - $0.01
• AT&T - Samsung Focus - $0.01
• Sprint - HTC Arrive - $0.01
• T-Mobile - HTC HD7 - $29.99
• Verizon - HTC Trophy - $99.99

Via: WPCentral
Source: AmazonWireless

AT&T HTC HD7S Official: $199 on June 5th

UPDATED: Original article below.

Microsoft just officially confirmed via the Windows Phone Blog that the date and price for the HD7S are true: you can get your hands on the SLCD'd HD7S starting June 5th for $199.99 on contract. In case you forgot the details, here's the quick spec sheet (download the PDF for yourself).

• 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ QSD 8250
• 4.3” WVGA (800 x 480) sLCD
• 5 megapixel autofocus camera w/ dual LED flash
• 16GB internal storage
• 1230 mAh LiIon
• Integrated kickstand
• Dolby™ Mobile and SRS WOW HD™ surround audio

Original Article:
Somebody at AT&T certainly didn't want to let Verizon have all of the device announcement fun today. The network's official Facebook page just spilled what could be official launch details of the HTC HD7S. Here's exactly what the page says (emphasis ours):

The HTC HD7S, a 4.3-inch screen Windows Phone experience, is coming soon! Learn more about this latest Windows Phone, and sign up to receive email alerts and special offers at http://pub.vitrue.com/bJ9. It will sell for $199.99 with a two-year contract starting June 5th.

Previously, we used our deft detective skills and figured out that the HD7S could be launching anytime between now and the end of June. Well June 5th sounds like just the right sweet spot between now and then, so it looks like that turned out to be true. However, it looks like the HD7S will be launching at a full retail price of $199.99, about $50 more than the freshly-announced Verizon Trophy. Then again, AT&T has been extremely flexible on the price for Windows Phones so if you can wait it out for a few weeks you could get a good deal. Stay tuned as we await official confirmation!

Via: WPCentral
Source: AT&T (Facebook), (PDF Fact Sheet) Windows Phone Blog

Rumor: AT&T About to Go All In with Windows Phone?

When AT&T was first announced as the premier Windows Phone carrier by Microsoft, there was plenty of skepticism. For months following the launch, AT&T did not exactly seem as invested as a 'premier carrier' should be and even managed to become the last carrier in the U.S. to push out their NoDo updates. However, lately America's largest GSM carrier has been changing their tune in regards to Windows Phone. First they surprised everyone when they announced the HTC HD7S to be released later this year, then Dell released an AT&T-friendly version of their Venue Pro, and recently we heard their Vice President of Mobility talking about how "Mango will be the next event".

Now we're hearing that AT&T is becoming more aggressive, as WinExtra reports that Best Buy employees are being quizzed by representatives on their knowledge of Windows Phone. On top of that, whichever Best Buy employee did the best among their peers would win a free Windows Phone. They go further into why AT&T may be pushing for Windows Phone more:

The reason for these quiz apparently is that AT&T is putting a really big push on for Windows Phone and is wanting the Best Buy employees to start promoting Windows Phone over their Android offerings.

Now that's more like it, AT&T! Android is an extremely competitive space right now and Verizon has lead the charge in the OS's acceptance here in the States. AT&T is largely considered to be lacking behind with their Android offerings (besides the Atrix 4G) and it's looking more obvious that the carrier is expecting to use Windows Phone in the same way Verizon used Android--namely, to make it huge.

Via: WMPoweruser
Source: WinExtra

AT&T VP Talks Windows Phone Performance, Future Plans

PCMag recently interviewed Jeff Bradley, AT&T Vice President of Mobile Devices, and discussed a range of things including Windows Phone's present and future on the nation's largest GSM carrier. Bradley candidly confirmed the HD7S should be on its way soon (which we already guessed), suggesting that phone will be the last current-generation device to be released, and that Windows Phone 7 was "doing fine" for the carrier. Bradley also talked about Mango's influence on their own plans and what role they are playing in the next-generation of Windows Phones:

"Mango will be the next event. With the timing of when [Windows Phone] came out and the timing of Mango, it didn't leave a natural period in between when we could introduce an interim round of devices," Bradley said. "We're working very, very actively with the ecosystem and Microsoft."

Bradley sure is talking like AT&T is the premier Windows Phone carrier and recently the company has been showing it too. Earlier in the week the AT&T-friendly Dell Venue Pro was released along with a new 32GB option, and we're expecting to see HTC's Super LCD-equipped HD7S available on the network any day now. Those plus the original launch devices add up to a total of five choices for AT&T subscribers; added with T-Mobile's (HD7 & Venue Pro), Sprint's (Arrive & 'Mazaa') and Verizon's (Trophy) offerings, there will be a total of ten devices on the Big Four networks in North America before the end of Summer. So, if AT&T accounts for half of those devices we suppose they are the premier Windows Phone carrier, but let's see if they can get their hands on a Nokia Windows Phone first before jumping to any conclusions.

Via: BGR
Source: PCMag

Dell Venue Pro Now Available for AT&T, First 32GB Windows Phone

This is a surprise! We heard rumors earlier this year that the Dell Venue Pro may be hitting AT&T, but because it was from the FCC it was largely ignored due to the unreliable nature of the evidence. Well it turns out the Venue Pro was in fact on its way to America's largest GSM carrier and today it's become official. The AT&T-friendly 16GB version is being sold off-contract for $499.99 and here's the pricing break down fir a new two-year contract:

• $99 for the 8GB version
• $149 for the 16GB version
• $199 for the new 32GB version

Yup, you read that right: the Dell Venue Pro is now the first Windows Phone to reach the coveted 32GB capacity size, and clearly it's at a competitive price. If you're in the market for one of the most unique smartphones on the market, now is the time to order one from Dell's website. Let's just hope Dell can solve the rest of their problems.

Via: Pocketnow
Source: Dell

AT&T HD7S Coming Out Before June 26

Click to enlarge

I spy with my little eye, a timeframe for the HTC HD7S to be released on AT&T.

We just reported on a free 90-day Zune Pass offer for eligible AT&T customers who purchase a Windows Phone between now and June 26 of this year. Well, taking a quick look at the offer's rules we spotted quite the valuable nugget of information. Among the other phones, the offer says the HTC HD7S is also eligible for the contest. Using a little deductive reasoning, we can then assume that the HD7S will become available on AT&T any day before the end of the contest, June 26. Elementary, my dear Windows fans.

Source: Zune Pass Offer (Rules)

AT&T NoDo Update Officially Rolling Out

Looks like the April 19th part of that rumor turned out to be true this time: AT&T's NoDo update for the Samsung Focus and the LG Quantum has officially begun to roll out.

Of course, this won't be a simple stock NoDo update like the forced update tricks users performed previously. You'll also be getting a few AT&T specific tweaks and hopefully some manufacturer-specific updates as well. Overall, there's no excuse not to be on the NoDo bandwagon now people so get to it!