An announcement from Verizon today tipped customers off to the availability of Windows Phone 8 handsets on the nation's largest carrier, with the Lumia 822 from Nokia and HTC's
Windows Phone 8X going up for pre-order November 9 at 1 a.m. EST. The two new smartphones will be the first Windows Phone 8 models to appear on the nation's largest carrier. They'll both come with a number of built-in Verizon apps, such as VZ Navigator, Backup Assistant Plus, and a number of sports apps.
Both handsets will have Microsoft Office Mobile built-in, enabling access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. They'll also have access to SkyDrive, including 7GB of free space for picture, file, and data storage, as well as support for Office 365 and SharePoint access.
The Windows Phone 8X will be available by Thanksgiving in Blue, Red, or Black color models for $200 with a two-year contract. The Nokia Lumia 822 will be available by Thanksgiving in Black, White, and Grey for $100 with a two-year contract and a $50 mail-in rebate.
Verizon also announced that it would be carrying Samsung's ATIV Odyssey, which also runs Windows Phone 8. That device will be exclusive to Verizon, and it will be available by the end of the year.