Beyond loading handsets with new features, the biggest challenge facing Nokia and other Windows Phone manufacturers may be convincing carriers to promote the devices in retail stores. Bloombergs recent report begins with an anecdote where a customer walks into a New York City AT&T retail store that wasnt even displaying or offering to show Nokias Lumia 900. That is just one persons experience to be sure, and may be influenced by a number of factors such as stock levels. What's more, the Lumia 900 is a dead end technologically since all current Windows Phones wont be able to run Windows Phone 8. Nevertheless, the failure of retail stores to push Nokia devices underscores similar problems PCWorld reported in June.
An attempt to woo carriers may be why Nokia is choosing to unveil its next-generation Lumia devices in September. The companys Nokia World event in Helsinki is an invite only affair catering to Nokias operator and retail partners. A perfect time to get Nokia retailers excited about upcoming devices.
Microsoft in June said Windows Phone 8 will launch in the fall.
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