Uncork the champers, string up the bunting and activate the Queen -- Windows Phone 8 is primed for a very British debut on 29 October, the same day that Microsoft's new operating system goes live in the US.
We've been sent a 'save the date' invitation to a London-based box social in just under three weeks' time, where we'll doubtless see Microsoft espousing the virtues on Windows Phone 8, and hopefully showing off some new devices.
Intriguingly, the phone on the invitation has an LTE icon in the top left corner. We know that the Nokia Lumia 920 and 820 will be among the first 4G-capable smart phones in the UK -- perhaps we'll see some more 4G-related information at the bash.
Microsoft hasn't let members of the press dive into the new operating system yet -- restricting access in some sessions to the lock screen. Perhaps we'll see a few as-yet-unseen features revealed at the launch, or perhaps Microsoft has just been wary of revealing any bugs or glitches in the unfinished software.
The event coincides with a stateside event in San Francisco that we heard about last week. The lack of a British equivalent had me worried that Microsoft could be launching Windows Phone 8 in the UK later than in the US, but based on the identical timing of the two events, that doesn't seem likely any more.
While it's not specifically Windows Phone 8-related, Ballmer and pals still haven't given Microsoft's Surface tablet a price tag. I'm desperate to know how much this flapping tablet will set shoppers back, so fingers crossed we get some information in this department at the event, or preferably before.
Plenty will have changed between now and the Windows Phone 8 event -- Microsoft will have released the touchscreen-optimised Windows 8 into the wild, and we may even have got a glimpse of Apple's anticipated iPad mini.
Are you looking forward to Windows Phone 8? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 13
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anonymous 9 October, 2012 14:48
what a surprise, Luke gets another reference to Apple and the Ipad into unrelated article
anonymous 9 October, 2012 16:00
@anonymous 14:48 - he's only merely stating a fact, we should have seen the ipad mini before this is released. what's your problem with luke letting people know that?
anonymous 9 October, 2012 16:06
Ha ha i seriously think that theres a bet going on in the CNET office as to how many times you can get the word APPLE into all your Windows stories and as a double whammy how many people you can pee off by doing so. Well done. You got to the last paragraph and then just couldn`t help yourself. Keep up the good work. If anything its amusing.
Mark Anderson 9 October, 2012 19:38
Can't wait to try one. Fingers crossed!
anonymous 9 October, 2012 19:43
Can anyone tell me how the operating system will be "in the real world" different from Windows Phone 7? WP7 will get the new homescreen, and - apart from a lot of stuff like SD cards and NFC, which is all about hardware support for new handsets - I am struggling to see any real changes in the day-to-day use of the operating system from WP7 to WP8.
Which suits me fine, since I just got a new Lumia 800 from O2 for £150 and I absolutely adore it. But I'm just curious as to what's coming from a software perspective.
Cheers all.
Mark Anderson 9 October, 2012 20:04
No idea which is why I'd try it first before buying. I have an 800 and it's ace so if it's better than that then I'll probably get a 920 (I've had the 800 since November last year) for the screen and camera but keep the 800 as a back up.
ElDiabloJuanCarl 9 October, 2012 22:05
Finally the Surface is in sight. I've been waiting to find out a) if they're any good and b) can I afford the Pro one for so long now! It has the potential to be a great all rounder and 'lloks' like a great piece of kit... and besides, the colour will match my Lumia 800 :-P (my wife just picked one up for £130 in Phones 4 U but she's not that worried about apps either, fact is it's a great phone and media player for not a lot of money, anything else is a bonus).
I guess if neither Surface RT not Pro is all that, at least the Nexus 7 is there to console me (not sure how the Apple mini plans to compete with that, Nexus is great tech at a crazy low price)
ElDiabloJuanCarl 9 October, 2012 22:14
@anonymous 9 October, 2012 19:43
It all comes down to new apps. Most new apps will probably look to make use of the dual core and thus can never run on a Windows 7 phone which only has one core. All your old apps should continue to work as is on Windows Phone 7, unless Microsoft get's silly and allows you to download Windows Phone 8 only apps onto a Windows Phone 7 phone. Theoretically some new apps might be designed just to run on one core, and thus 'might' work on both Windows Phone 7 & 8 phones, but don't count on it.
Personally I think the entire apps thing is blown out of proportion. Who cares if one eco system has 5 billion apps to choose from, it's not like you are going to install them all. There will always just be a few hundred key apps/games that are widely adopted and lots of chaff that no one uses. I must have about 70 apps installed on my phone, but honestly I use the same 5 apps 9 days out of 10.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 22:51
This is how I See it, I see a war looming. Next year is going to be a war of Eco Systems.
right now its a game of chess and the big players are moving their peices into position
Samsung - Smart Tv / Tablet / GS3 phone
Apple - TV - iphone / Ipad
Microsoft - Windows phone / Surface / Xbox
Sony - Experia / PS3/ Veta
Sony and Microsft already have a huge fanbase in the living room and most will upgrade to the latest PS4 xbox720 or whatever they wanna call it .
I think this is microsofts Ace in the whole.
Samsung are middle ground (everyones going to need a TV so that good for them.
Apple - What would you rather have PS3 Virgin / Sky and an Apple Tv - I dont think so . This is where apple will lose ground they got no console. and it is not a necassry peice of kit
Next year I am looking forward too I think its going to be one hell of year.
Myself I am Routing for Microsoft purely because thats what I know. The lumia's are great device's , it just didnt offer enough for people to jump ship onto it . ( I Did) I have the PC the Xbox and intergration now seems to be the main focal point. The 29th is not about the Phone or the OS or the operating system. For me its about a birth of an eco system. just hope theres no BSOD
anonymous 9 October, 2012 23:13
@ElDiablo
(anon-19:43 here)
Thanks for the reply, and I agree about apps. I had an iPhone and then a Sony Xperia S, and I probably only used a couple of apps. The only ones that I miss are iPlayer and a banking app, but neither is the end of the world.
I'm amazed that WP7 has had such a rough press from the tech world. The integration of Hotmail, Skydrive, Office and a really beautiful interface has so much going for it. Couple that to the Lumia 800's elegant design and I really don't understand why so many people go for Android. I mean, does anyone really want to watch a video while they write an email on their Galaxy S3?
Anyway - I'm delighted with Windows Phone, and wish Microsoft every success in developing a genuinely pleasing and attractive platform.
anonymous 12 October, 2012 15:56
I CANNOT WAIT FOR WP8. IM GOING TO SNATCH THE LUMIA 920 IN AN INSTANT. THE WP8 LOOKS REFRESHING AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY I AM MAKING THE LEAP FROM THE IOS ECOSYSTEM, AND I AM NEVER LOOKING BACK. IT WAS A DIFFICULT CHOICE SINCE I HAVE BEEN A CONSUMER SINCE 2007 1GEN IPHONE. BUT I AM NOT LETTING THEIR ECOSYSTEM HOLD ME BACK. I AM JUMPING SHIP! :D
anonymous 12 October, 2012 18:24
i agree with the shouting man above^
- btw is the phone in the cover image a real device? Because it looks so nice and i want it please
anonymous 13 October, 2012 13:25
The thing that seems to be glossed over is that Windows Phone 8 is enterprise ready with secure boot and full device encryption, this makes Windows Phone 8 very attractive for enterprise especially when you can retire BES or other mobile device management servers.