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The Verge joins Digitimes in reporting a Nokia (NOK) Windows RT tablet is in the works. The...
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Monday, December 24, 2012, 1:12 PM ETThe Verge joins Digitimes in reporting a Nokia (NOK) Windows RT tablet is in the works. The gadget site, which seems to have a source or two at Microsoft (MSFT), reports the tablet will have a 10.1" display (similar to Surface), mobile connectivity (AT&T will sell it), and interestingly, a battery-equipped keyboard cover that "envelops it like a book." Nokia is said to plan a small initial run, and to be thinking of making a Windows 8 Pro device later.
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First mover advantage is very important.
If Apple stops producing the iPad then this tablet may be an O.K. seller.
Apple doesn't have any plans to stop production of the iPad.
As the 920 gains acceptance In China it will form brand loyalty which will create a ready market if and when Nokia decides to widen distribution of a tablet
It is nice to see that Nokia is certainly not acting like a company in its death thrones...
It just feels quality and innovation (two windows at one). The only let down which prevents me from selling my ipad 3, APPS. I need Oovoo and Vibre, neither of which are currently planned for Windows RT. Microsoft get your app begging in order before 2013 :) Otherwise I might have to sell the Surface, and cuddle the Apple. Being limited to video and voice via Skype is not good.
Put a Pureview camera on this tablet, and decorate it with an offline Nokia navigation app. It will become a very interesting device.
1. They are late to the party, what means they can try to learn from competition but they need to invent a complete new product line what they havent done before. New components, new production processes, new sales efforts, whatsoever... all this is doable but in a market where others are in already and ship steadily millions of devices... at least not easy.
2. Nokia jumps from a mobile phone to a PC. Not the first time they are doing it but when entering tablets they will not have the priviliged position for MS like they have with smartphones. What will make it harder for them. And in addition MS is in the same market. They might retreat if Surface fails but that will be no good sign for all other Win8 tablet offerings. In case Surface will be a great success and MS makes a hell lot of money they will not do it. Either way, tough position for Nokia.
3. The market moves to smaller tablets. At least from what we hear over the last weeks the 10 inch tablets losing popularity. What could mean that Nokia simply will not offer what consumers look for. OR Nokia is able to ship sth very different at a very good price tag. But as with the 920 good stuff has its price and as NOK does not have money to subsidize tablet sales they simply cant do that.
4. Here maps aka Nokia Maps is going broader... Already available on iPad/iPhone (admittedly relatively crappy) and they will not stop. All signs tell us they are willing to go after broadest possible reach. What means some maps application will not make that much of a difference. And for anyone who has seen the apps on WP8... they are by far not perfect nor great.
To sum it up: Nokia needs to be able to offer something so distinct different in terms of haptic, features, whatsoever and I simply doubt that this is possible in the currently so cramped tablet market. Again, not saying they are not able to but same with phones, it is very, very hard to come up with sth what is seen as the next big thing. The Lumia 920 isn't (a good phone though) and the Nokia tablet most likely won't be either. Lets see.
1. Late to the party doesnt mean you cant have fun. It is not all about creating new inventions. It is also offering a coherent product family. The Lumia family is unique because its extraordinary design characteristics, build quality, featureset and craftmanship.
eristics. Adding a Lumia tablet would appeal to many Lumia users.
2. Privileged in what way? Nokia is still being paid for every copy of their Nokia Drive and other mapping apps (a.o. Bing Maps) within W8 as well as WP8.
What's also best about all of the tablet issue was the fact that NOKIA already knows what is needed to compete. Keeping in mind that Elop mentioned a couple of times on his interviews that they have a lot of gems to spin out to enhance & produce great products...Going into the tablet by February can only translate they are ready. I can only speculate that this brilliant brains working in Nokia will produce nothing but the best...
I can also only but see that a true game changer product features is a must not an option to enter in this Arena of tablets.
to 2. Privileged in so far that they are seen as the preferred phone manufacturer for MS when it comes to phones. Nokia has early access to plans, dev builds and can influence (to some extend) the roadmap.
As far as I know the switch to rebrand Nokia Maps services to here is part of a more independent approach. Meaning the money paid by Nokia will be less and less and here needs to find new cash cows next to map deals with navigation system providers (thats where most of their money comes from so far).
I also see your Windows argument. On the other hand 100s of millions of users did not stop buying Android or iOS devices over the last years. Means they are already (to a certain degree) locked into one ecosystem but even more importantly they have seen that the argument is a weak one as Android and iOS do work pretty well with whatever OS. Of course there will be devs developing for Windows RT and maybe WP. But to reach a certain level of quality is different. WP alone affords that you put thinking in your UX before you can ship a great product.
Lets see, everyone (me included) can speculate endlessly and I wish Nokia to survive and succeed. But their position in these markets is tough without question.
1) This is not something they just came up with, they had planned this back even before the 920 launched. It was put on the backburner due to MS decision to go forward with its own device. Remember Nokia has a seat at the table when MS brainstorms (if they only had a brain da-da....da-da-da-da-da).
2) I suspect this will also get a Verizon deal, not an ATT exclusive and thus the (surface looking...RT running) devices seen on lockdown at some Verizon’s stores are looking like they have a purpose beyond just "demo" of Surface RT compared to Windows Phone 8.
3) I would have rather seen a Windows 8 tablet; I think it ties in better to the Windows Phone 8 story (shared ecosystems). However, that would have the Nokia tablet early 2013 launch butting heads with MS Surface Pro launch so I guess while the spotlight for Windows 8 is stolen by the Surface Pro it opens a window for Nokia to have the RT spot light (small and dim as it may be) all to themselves.
4) If they put the quality into the tablet they put into the Lumia, it will sell and if it sells it can actually drive developers to RT. It gives Nokia another product in the pipeline and it gives some much needed credibility to MS and its RT aspirations. If Nokia is trying their hands at RT look for others to join the raid party.