The discussion about Microsoft and Nokia teaming up to bring some next generation Windows Phone 7 devices to market has been more or less positive since the initial announcement. It seems that the majority is looking forward to getting their hands on some Nokia-branded WP7 devices, and there’s definitely nothing wrong with that. In the past, we’ve talked about whether or not Nokia’s first move with Windows Phone 7 should be a smartphone or something simpler, but there’s some new conversation going around that has me a bit confused on Nokia’s strategy with Microsoft’s mobile platform. To the point, I’m beginning to wonder if folks here in the United States are even going to be able to buy a Nokia-branded Windows Phone device.

There’s been some talk about the fact that Nokia hasn’t been completely up-front about their Windows Phone strategy. We do know that the company plans on having some devices available for consumers by the end of 2011, and considering little to no time has passed since the official announcement of Nokia’s and Microsoft’s partnership, that’s impressive in of itself. However, while Nokia is confident they can stay on track and release some devices by their target date, they aren’t so open about where they’re going to launch those devices.

This actually ties into our previous discussions about the smartphone versus feature phone position on Nokia’s part. If Nokia were to launch a major smartphone (only), then it would make sense for the company to launch the device in large markets, namely here in the United States. However, if a feature phone is part of Nokia’s initial portfolio, then the company could very well be looking to launch the device in a global market, but not necessarily aim to get United States-based customers the device.

Nokia’s position regarding their schedule is pretty smart, as they are positive they will be able to launch a device –or devices—by the end of 2011, but the fact they are not being specific about the devices themselves, let alone regarding where they plan on launching them is practically genius. That means that anyone who’s looking forward to getting their hands on a Nokia device running Windows Phone 7, no matter where they are in the world, is going to be excited right up until the time launch details start making their way to the public.

But for those fans here in the United States, I think there’s some room here to be worried. Nokia’s global presence is a strong one, but here in the States it isn’t so much. With that in mind, will Nokia continue to push their name brand in other markets, and wait to make their presence known with Windows Phone in the United States until 2012? At this point in time, it seems to be anyone’s guess; and even Nokia seems to be on the fence on this topic, too.

Here in the next few months we should start to see some leaked information about what Nokia has been working on, and that will either enhance the anticipation for whatever Nokia is working on, or dampen it. If the former happens, then it’s going to be a waiting game for those around the world to see where Nokia launches their first Windows Phone devices. Let’s hope Microsoft is trying to get some attention here in the States, or the Redmond-based company may see the adoption rate of their mobile platform start to go the wrong way.

What do you think Nokia is going to do? Are they going to skip over the United States in 2011, or will the company make sure they get their name known here locally, as well as globally? Let me know in the comments below.