Nokia Unveils New Tablets And ‘Phablets’

Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet computer

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.