The wait is finally over for Windows Phone 8 (and its ever-elusive set of features kept under wraps). Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed at the WP8 event earlier today that the first Windows Phone 8 devices, including the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Ativ S, will be available this weekend in Europe and will continue to roll out throughout the world in November.
The first international GSM-compatible devices released in the U.S. will be T-Mobile’s HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 810, both with a release date of November 14th. Meanwhile, AT&T will carry the Nokia Lumia 820 and 920, as well as the HTC 8X sometime later in November.
In addition to the first launch details for Windows Phone 8, Microsoft detailed new software features and apps, such as its new Data Sense utility — a feature that can help save on data costs that may or may not work with Truphone SIM.
Microsoft Windows 8 also brings a newly-imagined start screen that makes it more personable, more powerful hardware, and more apps. We’re hoping more VoIP apps like Truphone and Viber will be among them soon, and will take advantage of Microsoft’s “Rich Communication Suite” APIs, which lets apps act like regular voice calls in the dialer and on the lock screen.