Nokia intros special edition Lumia 520 with pre-loaded government apps in Argentina

The cheap Lumia 520 has done great things for Nokia and Microsoft. Millions of customers bought the handset, and more will do it from now on (even if a successor to the 520, namely the Lumia 525, has already been launched in a few markets).

The affordability of the Lumia 520 paired with its not-too-shabby performance determined Argentine authorities to choose it as the only handset that comes pre-installed with government-endorsed apps in the country. Argentina's Ministry of Modernization teamed-up with Nokia and Microsoft to unveil a special Lumia 520 edition in Buenos Aires (Argentina's capital). The pre-installed government apps that users will find on the handset include "BA Móvil" (providing real time info on the state of local traffic) and "BA Cómo llego" (which offers info on public transport, alternate routes and more).

Nokia, Microsoft and the Government of Buenos Aires are hoping that the Lumia 520 enhanced with these apps will help people travel more efficiently through the city (where about 3 million people reside, and another 3 million commute everyday from nearby places).

This special edition Nokia Lumia 520 will be sold in Buenos Aires starting January 2014 for about $154 (990 ARS in local currency). It's a bit weird that the price isn't lower, though. After all, AT&T was selling the smartphone in the US for only $50 recently - it's asking $99.99 for it now, although Microsoft Store has priced it at $59.

sources: La Nacion (translated), Twitter