Windows Phone 8 Features, Release Date: Pricing for T-Mobile Nokia Lumia 810, HTC Phone 8X, Verizon Trouble, Microsoft vs Google Battle

Microsoft will announce their new Windows Phone 8 software at an event on Oct. 29. With all the excitement about Windows 8, new details emerged about pricing and the Windows Phone 8 lineup.

According to Tmonews, a leaked photo shows Walmart pricing for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 2, as well as Windows 8 smartphones.

For HTC's Windows Phone 8X, the price looks to be $148. For the LG Optimus L9, the price will be $0.97. The Nokia Lumia 810 will be $99.98, and the Note 2 will be $299.99, same as what Sprint announced for their version.

Walmart is usually less expensive than buying from T-Mobile directly, and maybe these prices mirror the U.S. carrier's own pricing.

Speaking of U.S. carriers, a rumor spread that Verizon might not carry any Windows 8 phone.

According to WebProNews, Verizon is using a recent privacy policy update which allows Verizon to spy on and share users' location data and Web usage habits. The carrier gets ad dollars and advertisers get valuable tracking data to further target their ads. However, Microsoft won't let Verizon install spyware on their Windows 8 phones, so Verizon won't carry any of their devices for that reason.

DailyMobile.net said that while both Microsoft and Verizon are in discussions about getting the issue fixed, Microsoft doesn't seem willing to give any waivers on the issue.

"Word is that if these waivers cannot be agreed upon very soon or at the absolute latest by the first update of WP8 Verizon is likely never to launch a WP8 phone and cancel the whole deal," DailyMobile said.

This is definitely bad news for Verizon customers.

While there is much anticipation for users to test out the new Windows Phone 8 software, some reports are saying that Microsoft will fail.

According to Wired writer Mat Honan, Microsoft hosting events just a few days apart (Oct. 16, Oct. 26, Oct. 29, Oct. 30) to announce their new products will create confusion as curiosity.

"Confusion is already a tremendous problem. Quick question: What is the difference between Windows 8 and Windows RT? Even the workers at the Microsoft Stores themselves can't tell you," Honan said.

Another problem is the news of Google and Apple, two huge rivals against Microsoft. Apple is supposedly announcing their new iPad Mini on Oct. 23, and Google to presumably announce their Nexus devices on Oct. 29, the same day that Microsoft will announce their new Windows 8 software. Google sent out invites recently saying, "The playground is already open...Android event."

"Bottom line: Microsoft's big launches are about to be buried in a deluge of news from other companies," Honan wrote.

"I actually feel sorry for Microsoft," Betanews writer Joe Wilxox said. "The company already has started the ad blitz for Windows 8 and Surface and surely will spend hundreds of millions (billions if you believe the rumors) to promote the new stuff. But bloggers, reporters and other writers are part of that marketing effort, and they will be distracted. Sharks smell blood in the water."

"The point: Android is a really big elephant in the room, and Google capitalizes on geography. Those journalists flying into New York for the Windows 8 launch could spend a couple extra days there and attend Google's shingdig (I would if going)." Wilcox said. On top of that, Android has a global market share of 64.1 percent in Q2 and reached 500 million device shipments this summer, up from the first time (400 million).

Wilcox gave the predicted numbers: "IHS iSuppli predicts that cumulative Android smartphone shipments will reach 1 billion next year -- 2015 for iOS to reach the same number. Currently Android activations now total 1.3 million, up from 900,000 in June, according to Google."

There has been a lot of controversy around Microsoft and their new Windows Phone 8 phones. However, consumers seem optimistic about some phones, especially the Nokia Lumia 920.

The Lumia 920 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.

AT&T announced the Lumia 920 being exclusive earlier in October.  The U.S. carrier still hasn't given any specific release date or pricing details, but reports have been saying that the date seems to point to Nov. 4. More details are expected on Oct. 29.

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