Nokia backs Android New N1 Tablet is an impressive iPad Clone

Nokia Backs Android. New N1 Tablet Is An Impressive iPad Clone

That didn’t take long. Just seven months after Microsoft MSFT -1.06% finalised the long running deal to buy Nokia ’s mobile phone division, the Finnish giant is back with a new consumer device… and this time Nokia is backing Android.

Nokia took to the stage at Slush 2014, one of Europe’s largest technology events (where I will be for the next two days), to announce the ‘Nokia N1’ – an iPad mini look-a-like tablet running Android 5.0 Lollipop.

20,000 Nokia N1 Tablets Sell Out in 4 Minutes

The N1 makes an impressive – if controversial – entrance that will trigger feelings of déjà vu. It has the same 7.9-inch display size and ‘Retina’ ready 2048 x 1536 pixel display as the iPad mini 2 and 3. It also uses a similar aluminium unibody design – available in ‘Lava Grey’ and ‘Natural Aluminium’ or black – with heavily machined power and volume buttons that also match Apple AAPL -1.04%’s now neglected tablet.

Inside, however, it is all change. Nokia has split from its rivals in opting for a 64-bit compatible 2.4GHz quad core Intel INTC -0.64% Atom Z3580 processor, which it pairs with 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage. The front and rear cameras also have higher megapixel ratings at 5MP and 8MP respectively. In addition the Nokia N1 will be the first consumer device to use the new, reversible USB Type C connector which will come to all new smartphones and tablets over the next year.

At 318g, the N1 is 13 grams lighter than the iPad mini 3, but Nokia has not gone into detail about the battery life of the new tablet. Arguably most interesting about the N1 though, is Nokia’s switch of allegiances which sees it ditch Microsoft in favour of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the latest version of Android.

As is manufacturers’ want, Nokia has customized Android with its own ‘Z Launcher’. Already popular in the Google Play store, Z Launcher is a gesture based skin which lets you filter apps by drawing their first letter and it learns your routine to automatically offer the right apps at the right time.

That said Nokia said users would be free to switch launchers, including to the standard Google Launcher and a stock Android experience also awaits beneath this.

Having sold on its hardware business, Nokia is using a manufacturing partner in Taiwan (update it is Foxconn) to build the N1 and it will launch in China in time for the new year followed by “several select countries”. With a $249.99 retail price (ex. tax) there is enough about the N1 in a sea of respectable, but not outright brilliant Android tablets to see it gain some traction.

Nokia declined to comment on whether its much rumoured licensing plans will see it also re-enter the phone market in the near future. But having made its first steps back into consumer hardware, it seems a logical step.  (Forbes)