Telstra to Receive Nokia Windows Phones in Q4, Uncertain on Demand

The first Nokia handsets to run under Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system are expected to arrive on shelves at Telstra in Australia during the first quarter of the ongoing year, but the company is uncertain when it comes to the demand they might see.

Apparently, the carrier does not believe that Windows Phone will see much overall traction in Australia, even if devices will look highly appealing.

According to a recent article on channelnews.com.au, a source from the wireless carrier has already confirmed that the handset will be released in time for Christmas.

The news site also notes that the mobile phone is expected to be released at Nokia World, and that it will hit shelves soon after.

Telstra will launch the Nokia 800 smartphone, it seems, which is none other than the same device that was spotted into the wild before as the Nokia SeaRay.

However, the smartphone seems to have been confirmed as being on its way to shelves as the Nokia 800, via a recently leaked ad that apparently mentions its name.

“Just click the button on the side of the new Nokia 800 and an 8-mp photo can be easily tagged, shared with your groups or social networks and stored in an album in seconds,” the ad reads.

The new smartphone is said to be pretty impressive, and Nokia already showcased it to various carrier partners around the world, so as to raise awareness on it.

“It is very smart and visually appealing. The issue will be whether consumers are prepared to invest in a Windows based model. They haven't in the past,” the said source reportedly commented.

Nokia will not be the only handset vendor to launch Windows Phones on the market in Australia this quarter, it seems. HTC and Samsung are also planning the release of new devices, powered by the Mango flavor of the OS.