In a rather surprising move Nokia is back in the devices business already. The first device it has shown off was teased yesterday and revealed today as the Nokia N1 Android tablet. The Verge reports that the design and specs of the Nokia N1 give it more than a passing resemblance to the Apple iPad Mini.
In the video above and the pictures within this article you can see the design quite clearly so I don't need to comment further on that and how similar it might be to this and that tablet. Let's have a look at the technical specifications:
- Screen: 7.9 inch (4:3), 2048x1536 resolution, Gorilla glass 3, IPS panel with LED backlight, Fully laminated zero air-gap display
- Processor: Intel 64-bit Atom Processor Z3580, 2.3 GHz paired with 2GB of RAM
- Graphics: PowerVR G6430, 533 MHz
- Storage: 32GB
- Audio: High Quality Discrete Audio Codec, Wolfson WM8958E, independent audio codec, two 0.5W stereo speakers
- Camera: 8 MP rear-facing camera with autofocus, 5 MP front-facing fixed focus camera, plus 1080p video recording
- Connections and sensors: 3.5 mm audio, Micro-USB 2.0 with a Type-C reversible connector, Digital MIC Cavity, 6-axis Gyro+ Accelerometer, Wi-Fi, (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); dual channel (2.4GHz & 5GHz) with MIMO, Bluetooth, BT 4.0
- Battery: 5,300mAh
- Physical properties: One piece aluminium design with 'sandblasted' satin finish, 200.7 x 138.6 x 6.9mm, 318g
- Software: Android 5.0 Lollipop, Nokia Z launcher
Looking though the hardware and construction details the tablet appears to be a well rounded modern device, one of the first to include the reversible Type-C USB connector, for instance. (However I personally like devices with styluses equipped.)
Nokia seeks to differentiate this new tablet from the host of Android alternatives with its Nokia Z Launcher UI. It claims that its launcher can serve up "the app you want before you want it". This launcher is simple and intuitive and users can "just scribble a letter to find what you’re looking for – instantly". The launcher also uses your geographic position to estimate the apps which will be useful for you. Interestingly Engadget reports that other Android device users will be able to download Z Launcher from Google Play shortly.
The Nokia N1 is expected to start appearing in stores from February next year. It will initially roll out in China at around $249 equivalent in local currency and from that start will roll out to Russia and "select European countries," says The Verge.
