Here’s one way to get Microsoft’s Windows Phone into the hands of more users. The entire incoming freshman class at Seton Hall University in New Jersey will get a Nokia Lumia 900, running Windows Phone 7.5, under a partnership with Nokia, Microsoft and AT&T.
The announcement was made in conjunction with Microsoft’s TechEd conference in Orlando this week, where a Seton Hall administrator will be talking at a session on using the Lumia 900 for business.
The phones will come with a custom version of the university’s SHUMobile app, as explained in a news release announcing the agreement.
All Seton Hall students have access to SHUmobile, an app available across multiple platforms that provides access to campus news feeds, directories and maps. However, Seton Hall freshmen will have access to a custom Freshmen Experience component of this app exclusive to the Lumia 900. This personalized element adds customized social media integration and direct communication channels with their freshmen peers, peer academic advisors, housing information and roommates. Additionally, the University will leverage Nokia Data Gathering, recently made available for Windows Phone, to communicate with the incoming freshmen beginning this summer by conducting polls, providing information to help students prepare for college and to learn how the Lumia 900 and other technologies are being used.
PCWorld notes that Seton Hall has given out Nokia phones, Kindles, iPads and Android tablets in the past, but never before to an entire class.
