News Byte

Nokia’s Lumia 1520 Phablet Hitting AT&T for $199 With Contract, Pre-Orders Starting Friday

AT&T said that it will start taking orders for the six-inch Lumia 1520 phablet on Friday, charging $199 for those who sign a new two-year contract. The large-screen Windows Phone, which will hit shelves Nov. 22 was announced last month by Nokia.

AllThingsD Week in Review: Apple Freshens Up & Pinterest and Snapchat See Dollar Signs

The Top 10 stories that powered AllThingsD this week, in one convenient post.

From “Can We Talk?” to a Coffee-Table Mishap — The Inside Story of Microsoft’s Nokia Deal

Eight key executives, meetings around the globe, and a pesky glass coffee table, to hammer out the deal announced this week.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Nokia Chairman Risto Siilasmaa shake on the $7 billion deal.

Steve Ballmer on Why Buying Microsoft’s Biggest Phone Partner Makes Sense

CEO Steve Ballmer tells AllThingsD that, as close as Microsoft and Nokia were, there were still boundaries and hurdles that will be removed by the new deal.
Ballmer Windows Phone

Microsoft Confirms It Gets Less Than $10 Per Nokia Windows Phone Sold

By buying Nokia’s phone business, Redmond argues that it stands to make significantly more money if Windows Phone ever takes off.
Nokia Lumia 520

News Byte

Sprint Offers Up Its Second Windows Phone 8 Device, Samsung’s Ativ Neo

Sprint on Wednesday announced pricing for its second Windows Phone 8 smartphone — and its first capable of international roaming. Available on Friday, the Samsung Ativ S Neo will sell for $149, after a $50 rebate and with a new two-year contract.

JoyBits Says Bucking iOS-Android Game Duopoly Helped Doodle God Series

Tens of millions of players? Cool. But finding them on more than 10 platforms at the same time? OMDG.

Microsoft’s Making More Money From Phones, but a Lot of That Is From Android Patent Payments

Microsoft says its overall phone business increased revenue $222 million, though it chose to combine Windows Phone licenses with the money it makes off Android patents.

Are 41 Million Reasons Enough to Make Smartphone Buyers Choose Nokia?

Nokia’s latest Windows Phone is likely to be quite the sharpshooter, but it remains to be seen whether it will have enough firepower to bag the ever elusive high-end consumer.

News Byte

Hulu Plus Hits Windows Phone 8

Microsoft has added another marquee app to its Windows Phone 8 catalog: Hulu Plus. The video service app debuted Monday on the Windows Phone store, offering streamed access to its catalog of TV shows and Criterion Collection films for an $8 per month subscription. The app’s lone Windows Phone customization: a Live Tile that updates with Hulu’s “hottest shows.” Still, a great addition to the Windows Phone app catalog which has been criticized for its lack of top-tier apps.