Microsoft introduced some new things for Windows Phone 8.
According to Washington Post, Microsoft announced its own streaming music service to expand its catalog of entertainment content.
Some customers can stream tunes for free with Xbox Music or search for particular artists, songs, and albums for on-demand play.
"There will be a $9.99 subscription fee for Xbox and Windows Phone 8 users. Through the service, consumers can create playlists, stream and download songs or create music stations based on a certain artists, a service similar to Pandora and Spotify. Xbox will also offer music videos," the website said.
Along with Windows Phone 8, the service will be available on Windows 8 or RT tablets and PC's and Xbox 360.
"The company claims that the service has so many songs that users will be able to listen for 'over 80 years and never hear the same song twice,'" WP reported. "Headed into the holiday season, the company is launching a new tablet, new smartphones and a new operating system, but will face stiff competition from Apple, Amazon, Google and others in each of those markets. Not only that, the Xbox - which has led sales in the gaming industry for 21 consecutive quarters - will be up against Nintendo's new console, the Wii U, starting in November."
One highly anticipated Windows Phone 8 is the HTC Phone 8X.
The HTC Phone 8X features a Qualcomm S4 1.5 Ghz dual-core processor with 16GB storage and 1GB RAM. It has a 4.3-inch super LCD 2 touch screen with HD 720p resolution Gorilla Glass 2. It has a 8-megapixel camera with a dedicated HTC ImageChip and a 1800 mAh battery. It also comes with Beats Audio built-in. It comes in various colorful designs.
New reports say that the T-Mobile version of the Phone 8X will release on Nov. 14.
Acording to Gottabemobile, the leaked roadmap shows that "T-Mobile will release the Windows Phone 8X more than two weeks after Microsoft will finally launch Windows Phone 8 on October 29. The latest rumors say Windows Phone will come to market in early November, which this date barely falls in.
"If true, November 14 could be the day that other Windows Phone 8 devices release as well."
HTC has another Windows Phone 8, the HTC Phone 8S. It has a Qualcomm S4 1 Ghz Dual-Core, with 4GB and a SD card slot with supports microSD memory card for extra storage and 512 MB. It has a 4-inch super LCD touch screen with WVGA resolution Gorilla Glass. It also features a 5-megapixel camera with auto focus and LED flash and 1,700 mAh battery. It has Beats Audio built-in.
Another phone is Nokia's Lumia 920. It runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 8. It takes many of the physical design elements from previous generations of Lumia handsets, but improves on internal hardware and display technology. Some of the new tech specs include PureMotion HD+ 4.5 inch display (1280 x 768 resolution), Dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, NFC chip, 2,000mAh battery, and Qi wireless charging. Nokia is touting the Lumia 920′s premier feature as its new camera lens, the Carl Zeiss lens. It has rounded edges and colorful covers with a PureView camera.
Despite high anticipation, some are worried about the few apps that the phones will have.
PhoneDog writer Taylor Martin said, "The typical counterargument, however is, 'There are 100,000 applications. That should be more than enough.' In theory, that may be true. But in practice, it's easy to find that only a fraction of those 100,000 apps are quality apps worth downloading. Not to mention, I have come to love many applications on Android and iOS, such as: Snapseed or Picsay Pro, Pocket, Zite, Instagram, Chrome, Reeder or Reader HD, Google Voice, iA Writer and Epistle, Google Drive, Bitly, iDisplay and many more.
"Sure, I can find some alternatives or third-party remakes of some of the current apps I use. But that's a lot of digging (which I'm willing to do) that will likely result in me having to do without some of my favorite apps and services."
He also talked of other problems with Windows Phone 8 and concluded with, "I'm still looking forward to Windows Phone 8 and the Lumia 920. But I am very wary of Windows Phone and the improvements Microsoft has made. It has added some much-needed capabilities and features to the OS, but I'm afraid it may have missed some of the finer details. I fear we may have to wait until the next update for some of those and that I will find myself in the same boat as last time."
Microsoft is holding an event in California on Oct. 29 to announce the final version of WP8.
According to PCWorld, "Carriers on that day are also expected to announce pricing, availability, and pre-order details for the first round of Windows Phone 8 devices."
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