With the release of the Nokia Lumia 920, the HTC 8X, and other devices, it seems that the Windows Phone platform is achieving moderate success, if a report from Gartner is to be believed.

Gartner's report is based on the number of monthly active Facebook users via the built-in Facebook app in Windows Phone. As more users sign into Facebook per month, via a Windows Phone device, the figure is represented in actual sales of devices.

The report claims that monthly active Facebook users soared in December, adding more than 500,000 and more than 1 million in Q4 2012 alone. Last year's December only saw 100,000 monthly Facebook active users added and a combined 250,000 for Q4. This number vindicates the platform's success and shows that Windows Phone is moving forward, and could pick up speed in 2013 with the release of the Nokia Lumia 620 for $250 (before taxes).

Bringing all that into actual sales, it translates to around 7.4 million devices sold this quarter, which is an increase from the 4.05 million devices sold in Q3 2012, per a WMPoweruser report. No doubt, Nokia and the Lumia line of Windows Phone 8/7.8 devices had an impact, though it would be interesting to see how each Windows Phone OEM is doing for a greater understanding of the platform's success or lack thereof.

It is always good to see Windows Phone picking up steam; however, the platform's true test will come in 2013 when Samsung launches the Galaxy S4 or Apple unveils its iPhone 5S/iPhone 6.