The “new” Nokia reveals the N1, their first Android tablet… and it looks just like an iPad Mini
When Microsoft integrated Nokia’s core devices team into their operations and spun the company off to do their own thing we didn’t know what to expect. Would Nokia still make Windows devices? Would we not be seeing the death of the Nokia X line after all? It was tough to say then, but the answer has been made clear today: they’ve been working on an Android tablet.
This is the Nokia N1, and no — you’re not the only one who thinks it looks just like Apple’s iPad Mini. This 7.9-inch Android tablet will run you $250, and it comes with a 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Intel Atom processor to run Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box. Also inside are 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and a 5,400 mAh battery. The device, which is crafted from a single shell of aluminum, will also feature Nokia’s interesting Z Launcher as the default home screen.
And there really aren’t any other notable features. Nokia says in their press release that the aim was to introduce something so simplistic that it’s beautiful. They claim they are tired of seeing devices that look all too similar and aim to bring a degree of uniqueness to the market. Funny, that, considering it looks like they swiped the design plans straight from Cupertino.
In a lot of ways it make sense. Nokia explained they had tapped an OEM (which we understand to be Apple’s favorite buddy Foxconn) to do the manufacturing, distribution and sales of the device with Nokia’s brand stamped onto it. Sounds more like they just found an OEM willing to make a quick buck and told them to come up with something quick and easy.
We’re not trying to dog Nokia too bad here — after all, it surely can’t be easy to be stripped of nearly all your resources and turn around to make a truly unique product in less than a year. We also understand tablets have never been their thing, but Microsoft’s buyout clause states they can’t use the Nokia name on phones until 2016.
Still, we wouldn’t have minded if they’d taken the extra time to create something truly breathtaking, original or true to home than simply slapping a bit of aluminum, glass and plastic together and making it look just like a product that already exists.
The Nokia N1 will be available in China from Q1 2015, with the company exploring the possibility of bringing it to other markets thereafter. Let us know what you think of Nokia’s first product after their short marriage with Microsoft.