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Microsoft won't solely favor Nokia with Windows Phone 8

Microsoft's relationship with Nokia is rock-solid, both companies say, but Microsoft isn't shy about backing HTC, either.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Jessica Dolcourt
2 min read
Invitation to Microsoft's official Windows Phone 8 launch
Our Windows Phone 8's launch invitation clearly depicts an HTC Windows Phone 8X device, but Microsoft is sharing the love. (We removed the event's address.) Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Microsoft and Nokia may have vowed to support one another through thick and thin, but Redmond's newfound vocal support of HTC's Windows Phone 8X device means Microsoft isn't relying on one partner to see its platform through.

Our invitation to Microsoft' official launch of the Windows Phone 8 operating system cleverly wraps event details into HTC's premier Windows Phone. It turns out that this design is one of four depicting key Windows phones that Microsoft sent to journalists inviting them to the event. Two show off HTC handsets and two depict the Nokia Lumia phones.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's involvement in the September Windows Phone 8X unveiling was a show of support for HTC, whose new phones bear a striking resemblance to Nokia's Lumia 920. Although Microsoft is spreading the Windows Phone love, this invitation is one more indication that Microsoft won't play favorites with Nokia, the one company dedicated to solely supporting Windows Phone's platform going forward.

HTC's upsurge as a serious Windows Phone player is significant. Verizon, the U.S.'s largest carrier, is using the Windows Phone 8X device as its first foray into Windows Phone in more than a year. Verizon completely ignored Nokia's Lumia 900 and every other Windows Phone of 2012. If Nokia can't compete with HTC on Verizon, it could easily lose ground to HTC as the U.S.' pre-eminent Windows Phone brand.

HTC Windows Phone 8X, Nokia Lumia 920
The HTC Windows Phone 8X (right) strongly resembles the Nokia Lumia 920. CNET

For his part, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop projects an air of disconcern. Speaking to CNET in an interview, he said:

Anyone can call their devices "Windows Phone." So, we could call our devices "Windows Phone." But what we did was we established the "Lumia" name for this family of products, because Lumia does signify that we've been able to go a step further than the standard spec with Windows Phone devices.

Nokia has also commented that HTC's unveiling is "more good news for the Windows Phone ecosystem," emphasizing instead its differentiated features, like the PureView camera, wireless charging, and Nokia Music.

We'll see what Microsoft has in store at its October 29 launch. CNET will be on the ground, covering the action.

This post was updated at 12:56 p.m. PT with details on the four versions of the invitation.