Verizon to roll out two Windows Phone 8 devices for Thanksgiving

Verizon Wireless, joining the Windows Phone 8 parade, will sell two new devices running the Microsoft operating system just in time for Thanksgiving.

The New Jersey-based carrier said this week it will sell the HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Nokia Lumia 822.

The HTC Windows Phone 8X features a 4.3-inch HD screen and runs on a 1.5Ghz dual-core processor with 1 GB of RAM. The 8X has an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2.1-megapixel front camera that can shoot 1080p HD video. It also includes Near-Field Communication (or NFC) technology and comes with 16 GB of storage.

Verizon will sell the phone in blue as well as red and black, two colors exclusive to the carrier. It will cost $199.99 with a new two-year contract.

The Nokia Lumia 822 is a Verizon exclusive and also features a 4.3-inch display. It also runs on a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and comes with 16 GB of storage, although that can be expanded through a microSD card. It comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera and an HD front camera. And like other Windows Phone 8 Lumia phones, the 822 is also capable of wireless charging.

Verizon said the Nokia device will cost $99 with a new two-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Additionally, Verizon said it will sell another Windows Phone 8 device, the Samsung ATIV Odyssey, before 2013 arrives.

[Update 9:08, Oct. 30: Verizon did not specify any release dates.]

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