14 DAY TRIAL // For those who did not know smartphones sold in Russia come with a special Search button loads a Yandex page when clicked. Well, it looks like the same will happen with Windows Phone 8 devices that are set to arrive in the country in the following weeks.
However, WMPoweruser reports that Windows Phone 8 device will be pre-loaded with a separate Yandex Search application, which is also available for download in the Windows Phone Store.
Rumor has it that the quality of Bing in Russia is pretty low, which is why Microsoft allowed Yandex to step in and provide a better search service.
Furthermore, Russian analysts claim all Windows Phone 8 launched in the country will be pre-loaded with several Yandex applications.
These will be integrated in the operating system by default, so it’s not clear if users will be able to get rid of it.
Some of the application said to be pre-installed on Windows Phone 8 devices include: Search, Maps, Metro, Market and Money. All apps are created by Yandex and, as we already mentioned earlier, can be downloaded via Windows Phone Store.
For the time being, Microsoft and Yandex officials declined to comment on the matter, so stay tuned for more updates on the issue.
In the same piece of news, Microsoft is expected to officially announce Windows Phone 8 on October 29, along with more details on the first devices that are scheduled to be launched by the end of the year.
The Redmond-based company is also expected to provide more info on the phones’ pricing options and availability in Russia, as well as other regions.
So far, we only know Nokia will be launching the Lumia 920 in Russia, while HTC is expected to bring its flagship smartphone, the 8X. We suspect more carriers will confirm the release of additional Windows Phone 8 devices in the following weeks.