U.S. Phone

Nokia’s first Windows Phone for the U.S. market, the Lumia 710, is aimed firmly at the midmarket. It will retail for $49.

As with many other Nokia smartphones, the Lumia 710 is a solidly constructed device, although its black exterior also lacks the flair of some competing smartphone models.

The Lumia 710 runs Windows Phone Mango, the most recently updated version of Microsoft’s Windows Phone software platform.

Nokia is also offering its own proprietary applications with the device, including Nokia Drive, a navigational application.

An application preloaded with Windows Phone Mango, Local Scout offers a quick guide to nearby eateries and other points of interest, leveraging the smartphone’s GPS to establish a location.

Nokia argues the Lumia 710’s 800-by-480 resolution is enhanced by what it calls ClearBlack technology, but ultimately, the display is virtually indistinguishable (in multiple different lighting conditions) from other good quality screens on the market.??í??í

Windows Phone’s application marketplace is now large enough to offer tens of thousands of applications.

Microsoft is also betting that its reputation for gaming (thanks to its Xbox franchise) will draw gamers looking for a portable device.

With Windows Phone Mango, Microsoft has expanded the capabilities of its email hub, including the ability to see multiple conversations linked to a particular email.

Nokia claims the Lumia 710 will last for seven hours on a full battery charge.

The Lumia 710 includes a 5-megapixel camera.

For business users, Windows Phone offers an Office hub, complete with the ability to perform lightweight edits on Excel, Word and PowerPoint documents.