If you were to look over the Windows Phone selection for the major wireless carriers, you'd notice a striking similarity between all four of them: there aren't a lot of options. Manufacturers have never gone hog wild in releasing Windows Phone-based devices, but in the last year or so it would seem they've decided to slow down in a big way. Gone are the days where HTC, or even Samsung, are making the headlines when it comes to using Microsoft's mobile operating system.

Now, it's all about Nokia.

And for good reason. The partnership that Microsoft and Nokia agreed to last year has led to plenty of great devices, and there's no doubt that the Lumia series has climbed to the top of the Windows Phone crop. It can only get better from here, right? Now that Microsoft is gobbling up the Nokia Devices & Services division, we should only see some truly high-end, must-have Windows Phone devices make their way to the market.

That could happen. However, that might not be the safe bet, especially since we may not see the fruit of Microsoft's (purchase) labor until well into the next year or so. In the interim, we've still got Nokia to look forward to, because we all know they haven't been resting on their laurels with devices like the Lumia 925, or even the Lumia 1020.

We all know they've been working on other Lumia handsets, and they've got to show them off before they're no longer making their own hardware. That's why Nokia's got an event at the end of October. The 22nd is a busy day for Microsoft, considering that's when the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 launch. But, for those focused on Nokia's brand, that day will be even more exciting.

According to reports, referencing people who are familiar with Nokia's plans, the company is essentially planning on going out with a bang. They've got "up to" six devices they're bringing along to their October 22 event in Abu Dhabi, which will probably include the oft-rumored Lumia 1520. That device? That's the six-inch Windows Phone.

To be fair, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Nokia's plans here, if they are indeed the way they plan to wave goodbye to their hardware plans. And, admittedly, while we'll see the majority of Lumia devices, we could see some Asha-based devices, too.

Nokia probably isn't gearing up to show off six new Windows Phone-based handsets. They've got their Windows RT tablet, too. But, we can probably put a safe bet on that the majority of devices will indeed be Windows Phone creations. So, the obvious question is obvious: Does Windows Phone really need *more* devices?

As far as I'm concerned, I'm not sure that it matters. As far as I'm concerned, this is Nokia's swan song in the hardware department, and I'm glad that they get one more event to show off everything they've been working on. And, truth be told, more devices can't possibly hurt anything. It simply gives those who want the hardware options more options, and there's nothing wrong with that. As I've said, the ball is in Microsoft's court, and that's never been more true than now, with this move with Nokia's hardware.

So, let me know what you think. Do you belied that Windows Phone needs more devices to fill the ranks? Or should Microsoft slow things down, and put more focus on the software? Let me know where you stand.