Nokia Windows Phone handsets not likely in the US until next year
Ever since the partnership between Nokia and Microsoft was announced, 2012 was positioned as the "real" launch year, with only limited availability in 2011. The limits of that availability are now becoming clearer: Nokia's first Windows Phone handsets are unlikely to reach the US until 2012, according to a briefing document seen by AdAge. The company has a planned marketing spend in Europe, but is still trying to find an advertising agency in the US.
The first Nokia handset—or possibly handsets—will be unveiled at Nokia World in London this week. One design, codenamed Sea Ray, leaked in June; this model appears to be a Windows Phone clone of Nokia's MeeGo-Harmattan-powered N9, and according to leaked PR material will be branded the Nokia 800 when it launches.
In its earnings call last week, Nokia said that its initial Windows Phone launch will be in "select countries." The lack of US advertising agency makes it improbable that the US is one of those markets selected. One country that that has been "selected" is the UK: teaser advertisements for the Nokia 800 started airing at the weekend.
