Nokia launches iPad mini lookalike running Android Lollipop

NEW DELHI: After teasing the upcoming product on its official Twitter and Facebook accounts, Finnish networks and location services giant Nokia has launched a new Android tablet, Nokia N1. The tablet looks very similar to Apple's iPad mini tablet and Nokia will essentially sell it as a reference design to OEM partners who will also be able to use the brand by paying royalty.

The Nokia N1 tablet sports a 7.9-inch IPS display(2048x1536p) with LED backlight. The fully-laminated zero air-gap display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.

Powered by a 2.3GHz Intel Z3580 64-bit Atom processor and 2GB RAM, the tablet comes with 32GB internal storage and a microSD card slot. It runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with Nokia Z Launcher running on top.

The Nokia N1 tablet sports an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-focus camera. It supports 1080p (full-HD) video recording.

The tablet comes with a 3.5mm headset jack, Micro-USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector and offers Wi-Fi(including 802.11ac), and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity options. The tablet has a 5300mAh battery. It also offers advanced audio capabilities including stereo speakers and High Quality Discrete Audio Codec, Wolfson WM8958E chip and independent audio codec.

The tablet sports a one-piece design with an aluminium body and surface anodization. It will be available in natural aluminium and lava gray colours. The tablet weighs 318gram.

The N1 is planned to be available for purchase in China in Q1 2015 for an estimated $249 before taxes. The company intends to expand sales to other markets following the launch.



It is worth pointing out that the company has sold its handsets division to Microsoft and cannot use the Nokia brand name for smartphones till 2016. However, it looks like tablets are not covered under the agreement.

According to Nokia, the N1 will be brought to market in Q1 2015 through a brand-licensing agreement with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner responsible for manufacturing, distribution and sales.

In addition to the Nokia brand, Nokia said it is licensing the industrial design, Z Launcher software layer and IP on a running royalty basis to the OEM partner. "The OEM partner will be responsible for full business execution, from engineering and sales to customer care, including liabilities and warranty costs, inbound IP and software licensing and contractual agreements with third parties," as per Nokia.

"We are pleased to bring the Nokia brand back into consumers' hands with the N1 Android tablet, and to help make sophisticated technologies simple," said Sebastian Nystrom, Head of Products at Nokia Technologies, who announced the N1 at the Slush technology conference in Helsinki. "The N1 has a delightfully intuitive interface and an industrial design to match it. This is a great product for Nokia fans and everyone who has not found the right Android tablet yet."