In a heavily promoted blog post, Nokia has reacted to the unveiling of Windows Phone 8 by pointing out existing Lumia devices will benefit from the same "experience."

Microsoft has already confirmed existing Windows Phone 7 handsets won't be offered the upgrade to Windows Phone 8, given the latter's core is built around the Windows kernel.

Instead, owners of handsets such as Nokia's recently launched Lumia range will be offered Windows Phone 7.8 – an update that brings in the same superficial changes offered by Windows Phone 8.

Updates for all

Nokia, however, appears to be reluctant to highlight any distinction between the two versions, instead telling customers that Lumia owners will "get the new Windows Phone 8 experience."

"For those who already have Lumia devices with Windows Phone 7.5, you’ll be able to update your phones with some of the new Windows Phone 8 features like the start screen and download new apps from companies like Zynga, whose Words with Friends and Draw Something will be available in Autumn," details Nokia in the entry.

"Microsoft also announced today that the Windows Phone Marketplace has reached 100,000 apps, and with Windows Phone 8 sharing the Windows 8 core, millions of Windows developers will also be able to develop for Windows Phone ecosystem.

"Lumia customers can expect thousands more apps to be introduced across Windows Phone platform."

Windows Phone 8 has been generally well received by critics, but Microsoft has been criticised for leaving existing Windows Phone owners high and dry.

Commentators predict retailers will struggle to sell current handsets in the run up to the new OS's launch this autumn.



[source: Nokia]