Aug. 6, 2012 at 4:33 PM ET
The new iPhone supposedly launching on Sept. 12, but Nokia might attempt to take a little wind out of Apple's sails by announcing their new Windows Phone 8 handsets just before then, Bloomberg reports.
They wouldn't be available for purchase at least until November, when Microsoft's new mobile OS is supposed to debut, but it may be that an early announcement is called for. Nokia World takes place Sept. 5 and 6, timing that could be fortuitous. Knowing that the Nokia smartphones are on the way, some buyers might be willing to wait until November instead of picking up an iPhone, on or around Sept. 21.
Windows Phone 8 will bring a great number of new features to the platform, but will not support older devices. Even Nokia's flagship Lumia 900 won't be getting it, though it and many other phones will receive the updated home screen in a separate 7.8 update (shown above).
This generation of phones will be critical to both Microsoft and Nokia. Windows Phone has not carved out much market share in its nearly two years of existence, though a recent study found that over seven percent of smartphone buyers were choosing it. That's not a lot compared to Android or iOS, but it's better than BlackBerry.
Nokia's Lumia phones have not been overly successful either: Despite receiving glowing reviews and having a unique style, they do not seem to be chosen very often over giant Android phones or the latest iPhone. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop suggested to Bloomberg this may be because actual in-store advocacy of the phones is weak.
Microsoft's global launch of Windows 8, along with the revamp of Windows Phone to be more compatible with the core Windows platform, may improve things for both companies.
We'll find out a month from now when Nokia World kicks off, unless some further leak brings new information on Nokia's new lineup.
Devin Coldewey is acontributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website iscoldewey.cc.
