It's time for this week's opening kickoff of WPD Bits, our regular roundup of all the news you might have overlooked during the week.
This Sunday evening we'll be talking about the latest Windows Store milestone, Sony's consideration of Windows Phone 8, and Verizon promising more than just one handset this holiday. Continue reading after the jump for those stories and more!
Windows Store surpasses 1,000 apps
Just last week we mentioned how the Windows Store had reached 820 submitted apps, and just a few days later we learned that Windows 8 users will have more than 1,000 downloadable goodies to look forward to in October. In fact, the site has a wager that by the time the first Windows 8 devices do go on sale developers could have 3,000 apps in total to offer. Not too shabby, ey Apple? [ Source: McAkins Online ]
Sony 'investigating' Windows Phone 8 partnership, wants to sell a few with matching VAIOs
Sony has had a rough few years, falling from consumer electronics dominance to Samsung and multimedia excellence to Apple. However, it's computer business has always managed to stay afloat and it's the strength of that division that might push Sony over the edge to consider building a Windows Phone (again). Speaking to Mobile Today, Sony Mobile's Pierre Peron says the company is 'currently investigating with the likes of Microsoft' over a partnership. Just like Samsung, it appears the Japanese electronics manufacturer wants to make an ecosystem play with Windows 8 and Windows Phone. [ Source: Mobile Today ]
Verizon promises multiple Windows Phone handsets for this year
All eyes are on the carriers in America as the launch of Windows Phone 8 draws closer every week, and one of the biggest non-players looks like they are finally going to take the platform seriously again. Verizon's Chief Marketing Officer spoke to CNET this week and said, "We'll sell multiple Windows Phones in the fourth quarter". Just like that. Now the question turns to what Windows Phone they will carry, and while the options are a little slim so far, the company says it has been in talks with Nokia. [ Via: WMPU / Source: CNET ]
T-Mobile launches Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan for $89/month
Speaking of carriers, America's Magenta-themed operator who is poised to receive a Windows Phone 8 device has just launched an extremely attractive new offer (on it's 10th anniversary, no less). For just $89.99 per month, new T-Mobile customers will be able to enjoy for-real-this-time unlimited "4G" data nationwide alongside limitless voice and text caps. None too shabby at all, and the plan could go great with your future Samsung Odyssey or HTC 8X now wouldn't it? [ Source: T-Mobile ]
Microsoft lays off marketing staff while reorganizing Windows team
A little more employee shifting has gone on behind the scenes at Microsoft lately. The Seattle Times reports that about 100 people globally were laid off this week from the corporation, with a source telling them that most positions were related to sales and marketing. Meanwhile, WinUnleaked's well-connected forum admin 'canouna' has learned that Microsoft's Windows team has been split into two. One half is working on a future update to Windows 8 codenamed "Blue", while the other team is beginning preliminary work on the next version of Windows. [ Via: Neowin / Source: The Seattle Times, WinUnleaked ]
