Windows Phone 8 is getting an update, which might lure customers to get their hands on three of the top Microsoft phones: Samsung ATIV S, Nokia Lumia 920, HTC Windows Phone 8X.
Update
According to Pop Herald, Microsoft is scheduled to introduce the next update for the Windows Phone 8 platform, the Apollo Plus.
The Apollo Plus will be a "significant update according to reports with support for VPN or virtual private networks for secure access, and also, improvements to WiFi and audio are likely to join the fun." It also should address the issue of notifications, and improve multitasking and other core features.
Specs
The ATIV S features a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution at 305ppi with 1.5 Ghz dual-core processor. It comes with 16/32 memory plus 1GB of RAM with microSD and 1GB of RAM. It has a 2,300mAh battery and an 8-megapixel Auto Focus rear-facing camera with a 1.9-megapixel front camera. It also comes with SkyDrive with free cloud storage. It comes in 16GB and 32GB.
The Lumia 920 also 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 with 332ppi and Corning Gorilla Glass 2, 2,000mAh battery, and Qi wireless charging. It has an 8.7 megapixel PureView camera with Carl Zeiss lens. It has rounded edges and comes in colors black, cyan, red, white, and yellow. The 32GB version sells for $99 with an AT&T two-year contract.
The HTC Phone 8X runs on Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 and 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 1280 x 720 resolution with HD 720p resolution Gorilla Glass 2. It has an 8-megapixel camera with a dedicated HTC ImageChip and a 1800 mAh battery and 2.1 MP front-facing camera. It also comes with Beats Audio built-in. It comes in various colorful designs. It is priced at $100 for the 8GB model available in blue and yellow with AT&T and the 16GB is $200 only in blue.
News
The Lumia 920 is no doubt the most popular phone out of the Windows Phone 8 lineup. According to Forbes, Nokia shares have rallied 30 percent in the last week with high initial demand. Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt reported that AT&T stores find "demand is sold" but still behind Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S3. According to Yahoo, Nokia is doing well in other parts of the world especially in Germany and Australia.
HTC and Samsung is trying to pick up steam with selling its features for the new Windows 8 phones, but back-orders and supply issues are causing some user frustrations.
Forbes reported that the 8X is back-ordered on both AT&T's website and on Amazon.com, and the ATIV S "has barely launched at any carrier globally."
According to Phones Review, the ATIV S is delayed once again, most likely until 2013 in Europe. Samsung has decided to push back the release due to production switch in materials and build, said the report.
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