Hello, Nokia Lumia 800!

Along with finishing off the smaller parts of my project, such as the videos used in the app, I have also been trying to obtain a developer mobile handset for the Degree Show for visitors to use. I have frantically been trying to call a whole host of people: Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Three UK. However, it turns out that they’re either really busy, or don’t want to sponsor students… Understandable.

However, recently, Microsoft Students UK came to the University of Dundee to hold a Windows Phone camp. We were informed that we had a chance of winning a brand new Nokia Lumia 800 handset. This was the opportunity I’d been looking for!

The day arrived, and in order to impress, I wanted to show Microsoft my project so far. This meant having to haul my full workstation, including the 32″ TV, across campus to the computing building where we were going to be for the day. I got it set up and Microsoft arrived. We all expectantly walked into the lecture theatre for the short(ish) lecture which walked us through the plan for the day and the basics of Windows Phone and Windows Phone app development. It was at this point when I realised that bringing my full workstation to the computing building was irrelevant: the prize phones would be given at random to those who attended the phone camp. I was quite disappointed at this stage.

At the end of the day, I went to speak to the representative about my project and what could be done to gain a Windows Phone. She informed me that if I submitted an app to the Windows Phone Marketplace, I had a very, very good chance of winning a handset! Apparently, there were 30 handsets to give away and at that point, less than 30 entries. The odds seemed good!

Thursday 19th April rolled round and as impatience crept in, I went to Microsoft Student UK’s Facebook page and questioned when we’d find out about the competition. They replied with a two comment reply: “Just sent out the winners emails…” and “and you were on it ”!

I was very, very pleased! Thank you, Microsoft!