Windows Phone 8 Release Date; iPhone and iPad Mini Launch Date; Sparrow Acquired by Google and more!

VOTE NOW for your favorite smartphone at www.phonedog.com There’s lots to talk about in this week’s episode of The Dog Pound. First up, we have a couple of release dates for the Windows Phone 8 update, one of them straight from the mouth of Nokia CEO Stephen Elop. We’re also hearing a more solid launch date for the Microsoft Surface, Microsoft’s answer to the iPad. There’s been a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding these two announcements but will they be enough to keep Microsoft in the mobile game? We’ll have to wait and find out. In other news, we have a rumored launch date for the next iPhone as well as a pieced-together model of what it could look like. Some people seem to be disappointed by the design. What do you think? Do you like the new(ish) design? Leave your comments below about this and everything discussed in this week’s episode of The Dog Pound. ______________________________________________ Windows Phone 8 rumored to RTM in September followed by November release www.phonedog.com Samsung Odyssey and Marco Windows Phone 8 handsets detailed in court documents www.phonedog.com Microsoft Surface to hit alongside Windows 8 on October 26 www.phonedog.com ______________________________________________ New iPhone and smaller iPad rumored for September 12 debut, iPhone launch tipped for September 21 www.phonedog.com Purported new iPhone parts pieced together to show assembled body www.phonedog.com ______________________________________________ Email app …