Lateage of what’s rumored to be Verizon’s Nokia-branded Windows Phone 8 option surfaced. As most rumors do, the image lined up quite nicely with previous rumors, ranging from device model numbers, to even device names. last night, an im With all of that seemingly coming together even before Nokia or Verizon, or Microsoft, make an announcement geared towards Verizon’s network, the consensus is that this device is indeed what will be landing on retail shelves at some point in the (near) future.

It’s great that Verizon is launching a Nokia device, but that’s not enough to carry the device’s launch into glory.

I also think there are a few other things that might hold the device back from shining in the limelight for too long, but we’ll get to those in a moment. First, I want to talk about the part that doesn’t seem to make much sense. Unless, of course, the “Atlas” name is just a codename, created from the depths of Verizon, and won’t be the finalized name for the device when it launches.

(If that’s the case, then we can delete this paragraph from the record after the device’s official announcement.)

Anyway, that phone we’re looking at above is reportedly called the Nokia Atlas. Based on rumors, that device we’re looking at above is Verizon’s version of the Lumia 820. More specifically, internal screenshots showed a single device coming down the pipe: the Lumia 822. (Have to love loopholes, right?) In any event, it means that as of right now, Verizon is apparently gearing up to launch the little brother of the new Lumia devices, but at the same time, don’t plan on calling it a Lumia device.

This is the part where I say that I really, really hope that “Atlas” is just a codename. I love the Atlas name, sure, but that won’t be as marketable as Lumia, and it certainly has absolutely no connection to Windows Phone, Nokia, Verizon, or anything previously released in the market. There’s no launching pad for the Nokia Atlas, while the Lumia name is already a well-known brand.

Plus, Nokia Lumia Atlas just doesn’t sound right.

Along with last night’s image, there wasn’t a lot of information provided. We’re basing these estimations on previous leaks, and connecting the dots where we can. With that in mind, I think I can answer my previous question, about whether or not the Windows Phone 8X by HTC is really a flagship device or not. It certainly is when it comes to Verizon, which can only be good news for HTC.

Unless there’s a curveball coming out of the darkness. Right now, AT&T has an exclusive deal for the Lumia 920, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t see a variation of that same device find its way onto Verizon’s network at some point here (hopefully) before the end of 2012. It could even come down the line as the Lumia 922. The true big brother to Verizon’s Lumia 822.

Here’s the important part, in my eyes. If things were a bit different, and HTC wasn’t launching the Windows Phone 8X on Verizon’s network, then it would stand to reason that the Nokia Atlas, or Lumia 822, would be the carrier’s go-to device for Windows Phone 8. And I can’t help but think that, if in that situation, it would be like the HTC Trophy all over again. But, they’ve got their flagship device, which will probably launch sometime early November, and the Nokia Atlas can be just another option. Perhaps with a cheaper price tag than the Windows Phone 8X, therefore providing more options to the Big Red customer base.

I can also say that based on that initial leaked image, I prefer the original Lumia 820 to the Atlas, based entirely on hardware aesthetics. But maybe it looks different in person. Hopefully we get to find out soon.

So tell me, Dear Reader. If the Nokia Atlas is indeed Verizon’s version of the Lumia 820, are you going to put your money towards that particular device, or will you be shelling out to get your hands on the Windows Phone 8X? Let me know!