The new Nokia 920 smartphone is seen in this undated handout photo made available to the media on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012.
Nokia showcased its new Windows Phone 8 smartphones in New York on Wednesday, September 5. Technology journalist Peter Nowak live blogged the event Wednesday morning (see below).
The Lumia 920 - which executives billed on Wednesday as the flagship Windows phone - sports "Pureview" camera technology to reduce blurring from hand motion, and wireless charging capability. It comes with augmented reality technology that lets users see details of their surroundings through the camera.
No pricing details or launch dates were announced for the 920, or for the lower-end 820 model also unveiled Wednesday.
Analysts were initially less than impressed with the device. Nokia's shares fell 8 percent shortly after the New York launch commenced and details began emerging, to 1.97 euros.
The new Lumias must compete against Apple's new iPhone, expected to be launched next week, and a new device from Motorola, now owned by Google, expected to be unveiled later on September 5, as well as high-spec Android models from Samsung.
Windows phones have only captured 3.7 per cent of the global smartphone market, according to Strategy Analytics. Android phones have 68 per cent, while Apple has 17 per cent.
For Microsoft, successful Lumia sales could convince more handset makers and carriers to support its Windows Phone 8 software, which promises faster performance and a customizable start screen.
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With files from Reuters