Verizon to offer free Windows Phone 8 smartphone before the end of the year | The Verge

Arguably necessary to compete with the (free-with-contract) iPhone 4, but likely to curtail HTC and Nokia Windows Phone 8 sales on Verizon, if there aren't very significant feature/function differences between free and >= $99

"Verizon Wireless recently announced availability of its first Windows Phone 8 devices, the HTC Windows Phone 8X and Nokia Lumia 822, both of which are shipping before the Thanksgiving holiday this year. The 8X and the 822 are priced at $199 and $99, respectively, but Verizon is apparently looking to fill the "free on contract" price point with another Windows Phone 8 device by the end of 2012. Concerning the carrier's Windows Phone 8 lineup, Verizon Wireless CMO Tami Erwin told The Verge that "there will be a $99 and a $199 [option] and ultimately before the end of the year we will have a device that comes in at the free [price] point.""

Verizon to offer free Windows Phone 8 smartphone before the end of the year | The Verge