Microsoft and Nokia Release This Tricked Out Lumia 920

As expected, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Nokia (NYSE:NOK) announced a pair of Windows Phone 8 devices today, the Lumia 820 and Lumia 920:

The Lumia 920 aims to outshine the competition with advanced applications and solid technology. The company is pushing the phone’s Pureview Camera, which features image stabilization and a floating lens which captures substantially more light than the competing smartphone cameras. The Lumia 920 will also be the first handset to ship with a wireless charging station. One of the native apps is called City Lens, which pulls up notifications in real time of surrounding restaurants and transit routes. The phone also features a 4.5-inch curved glass screen and ceramic side buttons.

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In order to support all this, the Lumia 920 is probably going to be expensive. The Lumia 820 is a lower-cost alternative with different hardware, like a smaller 4.3-inch screen, and no PureView camera. The 820 will still feature the City Lens augmented reality app, which is a major draw.

Microsoft and Lumia are trying to get ahead of the curve this week before Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) big event on September 12, which is expected to unveil the new iPhone. The companies have stepped up their game with these new phones. Apple and Motorola (NYSE:MSI), which is holding an event on September 6, are going to have to ante up if they want to deny Nokia and Windows Phone 8 market share. With poor growth over the last three months, this is make or break for Nokia.

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