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Nokia Sirius 10.1-inch Windows RT tablet to launch soon

by Mark Tyson on 27 August 2013, 14:15

Tags: Nokia (NYSE:NOK), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabz55

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Sources familiar with Nokia's plans have told The Verge that the Finnish firm will launch a 10.1-inch Windows RT based tablet "shortly". WinSuperSite's Paul Thurrott has also piped up to confirm that he knows about these plans and detail what he knows of the Nokia 'Sirius' tablet plans. Headline specifications of the upcoming device include a 10.1-inch full HD screen, a weight of about 590g, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and a price tag of $499. Also, as you might expect from Nokia the device should be available in a variety of coloured polycarbonate shells.

While other hardware firms are fleeing the Windows RT market, often said to be moving towards Google's Android or ChromeOS as an alternative, Windows Phone stalwart Nokia seems happy to invest in developing products for Windows RT. Alongside Microsoft's Surface 2, we don't know of any other planned new Windows RT devices coming to market.

Nokia 'Sirius' tablet specifications (combined from multiple sources):

  • Display: IPS 10.1-inch "outdoor readable" 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution
  • Processor: quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Storage: 32GB built-in plus micro-SD slot
  • Cameras: 6.7 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics on back with 2 megapixel camera on the front
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi and LTE options, Micro HDMI connector, Micro USB port
  • Battery life: 10 hours
  • Physical properties: about 590g, less than 9mm thick
  • Extras: keyboard cover accessory with installed battery to extend device battery life
  • Price: comparable to iPad at $499

The Nokia 'Sirius' is expected to be launched in New York on 26th September. However, the device has two big negatives, comments Thurrott; "it's far too expensive and runs Windows RT". Many people will agree with those sentiments I think. With such price tags do the Nokia 'Sirius' or Microsoft Surface 2 have much hope of market penetration?



HEXUS Forums :: 15 Comments

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Looks nice, but the price is a bit naive I would say; especially with the IPad 5 and IPad Mini 2 coming.
I'm sure i'll be flamed but I just don't understand why Nokia would do this? They don't have capital to waste on an OS even Microsoft are struggling to sell. Can't help but think Elop is hoping for a recommendation from Steve Ballmer to replace him!
That price point can not be right? I mean why on earth would someone choose that over the discounted surface RT, assuming they wanted an RT tablet!
Specs are good. Hopefully they'll offer it at least 2 price points…

£350ish for 16gb wifi
£450ish for 32gb LTE

without the lower price point people will see £450 and think “I can get an iPad cheaper than that” even though the similar spec iPad costs £580.
The Hand;3030505
Looks nice, but the price is a bit naive I would say; especially with the IPad 5 and IPad Mini 2 coming.
Not to say a slew of 'droid running gear, plus new Nexus (when Google fix the little screwups)
TheAnimus
That price point can not be right? I mean why on earth would someone choose that over the discounted surface RT, assuming they wanted an RT tablet!
cheesemp
I'm sure i'll be flamed but I just don't understand why Nokia would do this? They don't have capital to waste on an OS even Microsoft are struggling to sell. Can't help but think Elop is hoping for a recommendation from Steve Ballmer to replace him!
Unless Ballmer's got a gun to your head I can't think of a single reason why you'd launch a $500 RT device (and some have said “keyboard extra” which makes it worse!) when there's not a lot of interest from the punters, there's a shedload of very good competition, and RT itself is looking shaky - with one wag saying it should be rebranded as “RTg”, as in “Reduced To Go”! No, if they want this one to shift then the £500 price tag must include the dock (kudos to Nokia for doing it properly and putting a secondary battery in their keyboard). To me, they need to discount it to make up for the lack of RT apps, so if it's more than £300 then it's a “no sale” for me. Shame it's RT, if it was Android then it'd give Asus some decent competition.

More interesting though is the “discussion” on G+ about this - the RT zealots are out in force, accusing all the naysayers of being paid Google shills.

Can I get an extra point for spotting that Sirius is the “Dog Star” - is this an offhand comment on the product by some disheartened Symbian fan in Nokia? :D

(and if you want some real Sirius conspiracy theories, then try this)