It’s no secret that Nokia is struggling to stay relevant in the mobile arena. The once-powerful tech giant refused to abandon its Symbian platform and is paying greatly for that mistake. The vast majority of smartphone and tablet consumers are now either using iOS or Android devices while the Windows Mobile OS that is present in Nokia handsets has barely made an impact.
Microsoft, which recently acquired Nokia, is taking the company into the tablet arena. This move makes sense for both companies because Windows phones haven’t been a huge success while Windows tablets have experienced some popularity among users wanting a two-in-one tablet-PC.
So, on the same day that Apple unveiled their latest lineup of iPads, Nokia unleashed its first tablet — the Lumia 2520 — into the world. There is no telling if Android and iOS users will be persuaded to switch, but it is definitely the right direction for Nokia to take.
Features
The Lumia 2520 has plenty of attractive qualities. Not only is it powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, but it also includes many useful functions like two USB ports and a snap-on multifunctional protective cover with a built-in gesture keyboard. The square design makes the tablet look very unique and it will also be available in multiple colors.
Nokia has always prided itself on its great imaging ability (e.g. the Nokia Lumia 1020 41MP phone) and this tablet is no exception. Despite having only a 6.7MP camera, the Lumia 2520 has an impressive 1920 x 1080 display that is incredibly accurate at color reproduction. The high-resolution screen also has a Full HD display which allows you to use the device in any lighting situation.
Perhaps the 2520’s most attractive feature is its battery that can store an 80% charge in just one hour and will definitely be a great asset to the tablet user on-the-go. Nokia claims the Lumia 2520 will get a total of 11 hours of battery life with an extra five hours — 16 hours total – if you use Nokia’s Power Keyboard. This is very impressive when you consider most tablets operate in the 8-10 hour battery range.
Operating System
About a year ago, Microsoft reimagined Windows and designed a touch-friendly operating system to many negative reviews. The new OS required a steep learning curve and many users decided to downgrade to Windows 7 instead of taking the time to learn how to use Windows 8. Unfortunately, Windows 8 is the only operating system available for Windows tablets and is a deciding factor for many consumers when choosing a device.
The good news is that Microsoft listened to many of the complaints and released Windows 8.1 last week which addresses many of the problems present with the first release. Windows 8.1 has improved SkyDrive syncing, Bing search integration, new Snap Views for side-by-side apps, and is completely free for Windows 8 users.
However, according to reviews, Windows 8.1 is still awkward to control with traditional keyboards and mice. This can pose a problem for hybrid tablet-PCs, but a dedicated user should be able to learn and master the OS if they are truly invested in the Windows ecosystem. Also, with all these new improvements, we can safely assume there will be even more in the future.
Pricing and Availability
No official price or release date has been announced but you can subscribe to Nokia’s newsletter and be one of the first to know.
Full Specs
Display size: 10.1”’
Display technology: ClearBlack, IPS LCD
Touch screen technology: Capacitive Multipoint-Touch
Primary camera sensor size: 6.7 MP
ZEISS optics: Yes
Maximum standby time: 25 days
Battery capacity: 8000 mAh
LTE max data speed DL: 150 Mbps
Processor name: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 800
Processor type: Quad-core 2.2 GHz
