Nokia Lumia 521 WinPhone8 - $129

[foxwood]

This isn't directly related to WMC, but some of you might have a passing interest in WindowsPhone 8.

Nokia recently released the Lumia 521, a version of the Lumia 520 that is configured for use on the T-Mobile network in the USA.

It's currently available for $129 from Walmart - that's an unsubsidized, you own the hardware price. You can use the handset on Wifi without even inserting a T-Mobile SIM, though some features, such as Nokia Drive do require a SIM for initialization (you're entitled to DRIVE maps for the country that your phone is registered in, so you have to have a SIM to set that up).

Note that the handset is locked to T-Mobile - you will have to have it active on the T-Mobile network with a minimum spend before you can request an unlock code to use it on other networks.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nokia-Lumia-5 ... e/24099994

T-Mobile also has a $30 Unlimited Web and Text tariff that looks very interesting (especially if it can be used as a Mobile hotspot - the phone supports this, I can't tell if the plan does!)
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans
I think you have to get the the activation kit for this plan through Walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wi ... d/15443357

[foxwood]

I just read that AT&T are carrying the "global" version of this, the Nokia 520, for only $99 SIM free.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msu ... .283842800

(T-Mobile in the US uses some additional WCDMA bands, so they needed a custom version of the phone).

I presume it's also locked to AT&T, and I don't know what AT&T's policies are about unlocking (though you can get unlock codes online for $5), but if anyone is interested in checking out Windows Phone 8, or just needs a cheap smart phone, it's worth checking out.