Several long-time rumors have become reality already this year, such as the release of the Facebook phone, and the impending arrival of BlackBerry Messenger on other mobile platforms. Another enduring rumor is that of a Nokia produced Windows tablet, which has been doing the rounds for several years. It’s still bubbling away too, as during the launch of the Lumia 925 this week, Nokia’s VP of Smart Devices told CNet such a device was still something it’s considering.
Harlow is quoted as saying, “We’re very interested in tablets and it’s an area we’re looking at,” but she stopped short of giving any actual details, adding, “I don’t have any product news I can share.” The phrasing of the statement does suggest there is a product being worked on somewhere; but then, that has been the case for some time.
Back in March last year, Nokia’s VP of design said in an interview a third of his time was being spent on a tablet project, which was later rumored to have a 10-inch screen and a dual-core processor, but as we know, it never arrived. Talk of the tablet appearing at this year’s Mobile World Congress trade show came and went quickly, while CEO Stephen Elop told an Australian publication in February it was looking, “very closely” at the tablet market, but was waiting for the right time to make its move. All this brings us up to date with Jo Harlow’s contribution to the ever-growing story.
It’s almost certain should Nokia release a tablet that it will run Windows 8 or Windows RT, and given the struggles the latter has experienced, the company is probably glad it hasn’t taken the plunge so far. However, support for smaller screen sizes said to be part of Windows 8.1 may attract more manufacturers, particularly those who haven’t had much success with tablets in the past such as HTC; so Nokia’s window of opportunity to get in when the market is hot may not be very big.
Will the tale of the Nokia tablet be another rumor which ends this year? Perhaps, but despite all the noise, we’re not really any closer to finding out.
