Windows 8 Release Date: Pre-Orders Available Oct. 21, Will Include HTC 8X, Nokia's Lumia 920

Microsoft's Windows 8 devices are expected to be available for pre-order Oct. 21 with a launch Oct. 26.

The news comes from a Verge article, which says the launch will include the HTC 8X and Nokia's Lumia 920, along with the Samsung Ativ Smart PC and Asus Vivo Tab RT tablets, according to an article on Latinos Post.

The Verge said they contacted a Microsoft spokesman, but no information was given, only that "Windows Phone 8 phones will be available to customers later this year."

The article also said CNET reported that the HTC One X, Windows Phone 8X and One VX will be offered by AT&T.

The unreleased phone has already come under criticism.

Extreme Tech said app developers have failed get a software development kit (SDK) to build apps for the new OS. This puts the future of Windows 8 in jeopardy.

"Microsoft has opened up limited access to the Windows Phone 8 Preview SDK, leaving most devs out in the cold," the article said. "Only a few top developers have access to the development environment. In case you're not keeping track, the Windows Phone 8 launch event is on October 29, less than three weeks away. If you were expecting Windows Phone 8′s app ecosystem to be one of its main selling points, think again."

The article called the company's goal of keeping the final Windows Phone 8 features a secret will generate excitement "bizarre," stating this means they'll be very few native Windows Phone 8 apps to launch.

"Redmond has caused its own app ecosystem to stagnate at the worst possible time," the writer," Ryan Whitwam said.

Whitman said pundits believe Microsoft is trying to buy time because the platform "isn't quite done yet."

"If this is the case, and there are no secret killer features, Microsoft should simply release the preview SDK to allWindows Phone developers. There is no universe in which the current course of action makes sense," it said.