Nokia Unveils New Tablets And ‘Phablets’

Former mobile phone leader Nokia beat new rival Apple at its own game late
on Tuesday, revealing a tablet computer and two big-screen smartphones at
an event in Abu Dhabi.
The Finnish
company used
its first event since being bought by Microsoft to reveal what chief executive
Stephen Elop called its “first tablet” and promising it would be more mobile
than others on the market.
Mr Elop’s comments come just hours before Apple is due to release a refresh
of its iPad range of tablet computers, in an attempt to win back some of the
market share it has lost to rival companies.
The Nokia 2520 tablet computer, to be released later this year for $US499
(N79,590.50), will feature a 10.1-inch screen, 6.7-megapixel camera,
Windows RT 8.1 software and 4G connectivity.
But Mr Elop said it would be different to other tablets in the market, as it was
designed to be genuinely portable.
“Tablet use peaks between six and eight in the morning,” Mr Elop said.
“During the rest of the day tablet usage drops.
“We are looking to shift this traditional trend. Your tablet should be as
mobile as you. Our approach is to give people a tablet that is actually
mobile.”
Nokia also unveiled two big-screen phones, or phablets, at the event in the
Nokia Lumia 1520 and 1320.
Both Windows Phone handsets will feature six-inch screens, but the higher
end model, the 1520, will also feature a 20-megapixel camera. It will begin
shipping next year at a price of $US749 (N119465.50).
Nokia Lumia 1520 large-screen phone, or phablet
Nokia’s announcements beat Apple to the punch, with the Cupertino
company revealing refreshed iPads at a San Francisco event, Tuesday.
Research firm IDC recently revealed Apple’s share of the tablet computer
market had almost halved in the past year, falling from 60 per cent in the
second quarter of last year to just 32 per cent in the same quarter this year