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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.
As soon as you said Intel, I said nope
Why? I just got my hands on a Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet with an Intel Atom processor… it’s the best performing Android device I’ve ever used by a long shot, while still having great battery life (largely due to a massive 9600 mAH battery).
I’m not sure whether to expect Apple to sue over design similarities. Probably, right?
Depends what kind of licensing agreements Microsoft and Nokia have with Apple.
Do you want to be sued by Apple? Because this is how you get sued by Apple.
that’s why they won’t release it anywhere with a decent copyright law. This will never comes to the US.
Seeing as both the iPad and the N1 are made by the same company, it’s not all that shocking.
The difference is that Microsoft has certain cross licensing agreements with Apple. At least that’s my understanding. I could be wrong.
And then everyone excited for a Nokia tablet running Android let out a deep sigh of frustration at the lack of Google Services…
That is frustrating. What’s the point then? And here I thought Intel finally found their way into mobile market.
Maybe they want to be the next Amazon? Most likely they want to continue to push their software and services, which were not part of the MS purchase.
You’re wrong. Reporter
https://gigaom.com/2014/11/18/non-microsoft-nokia-launches-android-n1-tablet-and-z-launcher/
“The N1 will also use the Z Launcher, which it launched in June, on top of Android “Lollipop” 5.0. And yes, that’s not a fork and it will include Google Play “in markets where Google Play is available”, a Nokia spokesman told me — in other words, probably not in China, where Google Play doesn’t handle paid apps and many Google services are in any case blocked these days.”
This information all came to life after my comment and nearly everyone’s report on the matter. Nokia and Intel’s reps corrected everyone.
I read said cited article, before or at the almost exact same time as you reported. All good tho! Great tablet, if I could order it for Christmas.
Can anyone say Kindle Fire? I’m sure it will be similar device that actually takes Android and makes it Applesque.
Waw amazing nokia..
nice information
In other exciting news my Moto Nexus shipped from Shenzhen China is making its way to bay area via Hong Kong right now
I’m wondering what the resolution is on this.
The resolution? The resolution is…. fail x fail. That is the resolution.
I really hope these 4:3 ratio tablets doesn’t take off
I can agree there, but I can see their allure for web browsing.
Not really into mobile OS tablets anymore but this thing and its price look great. Even better if it came with full windows on it rather than android.
Nokia and evil ms needs die for the good of mankind…guess who is peeing their pants now