Windows 8, Nokia Lumia 920 Sales Mixed: The Good and Bad News for Microsoft, from Glitches to Sold Out Units

There appears to be some good news yet bad news for Microsoft in regards to their Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 products.

The Bad:

According to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer during an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien, sales of the Surface tablet "are starting modestly."

Despite the "modest" sales, specifics were not given.

Paul Thurrott of Supersite for Windows reported that a close Microsoft source confirmed Windows 8 is experiencing weak sales likely due to "the PC makers' 'inability to deliver.'"

The news also comes as battery problems and random reboots have been circulating on the Interwebs to users of the HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 920, which uses the Windows Phone 8 operating system. According to Nokia's Support Discussions, users have been experiencing some glitches.

roohan: I have my Nokia Lumia 920 three days now and it already became unresponsible twice. I could not start the phone or anything. Only a hard reset (all three buttons at once) started the phone again. Should I turn back the phone for a replacement?

stevecoz: I'm experiencing the same freezing issue. I purchased my phone in-store yesterday morning (in the lobby of AT&T HQ in downtown Dallas). Around 11am yesterday after only two hours of use, the phone froze up and I had to perform a hard reset. IIRC, I had just plugged the phone into a power outlet (using the included, standard Nokia wall charger). 

I used the phone a fair amount yesterday and didn't have to reset the phone again. Just before going to bed I plugged the phone into the wall (battery was approximately 15% charged). When I woke up this morning the phone was unresponsive. I had to do a hard reset (with the phone still connected to the charger). When the phone rebooted, the settings screen showed battery was only at 88%. I left the phone connected for about 15 minutes and when I disconnected the phone it showed 100% charge. 

I used the phone occasionally this morning and all seemed well. And then I went to take a picture with the phone and it froze up again. After another hard reset, I noticed the picture I had just taken had vanished from the phone. 

I'll be monitoring this issue closely since I only have another 13 days to return. Very interested in hearing from others. 

Thanks,

Steve

According to The Verge, Nokia and HTC are aware of the rebooting issues. A Nokia spokesperson stated, "We are working with Microsoft to investigate these reports. We will provide an update as soon as more information is available."

The Good:

Despite the glitches on the Nokia Lumia 920, the device has received some good news. The Windows Phone 8 smartphone has been topping Walmart's Best Seller charts, toppling Samsung's Galaxy S3 and Motorola's Atrix HD.

According to WMPowerUser, the Lumia 920 has sold out in the UK and Germany.

All numbers will be confirmed once Microsoft releases their fourth quarter earnings in December.

For the Nokia Lumia 920 Drop Test, click here.

For the Lumia 920 vs. iPhone 5 specs, click here.