Nokia launches its 1st tablet - Times of India

ABU DHABI: In what is probably Nokia's last major product unveiling before it completes the sale of its hardware unit to Microsoft, the Finnish company, on Tuesday, unveiled six new devices: its first Windows tablet, the Lumia 2520; two six-inch phablets, the Lumia 1520 and the Lumia 1320; and three new handsets under its Asha range, the Asha 500, Asha 502 and the Asha 503.

Speaking at the event, executive VP (devices and service) Stephen Elop also made several app announcements. Most notably, popular photo- and video-sharing tools Instagram and Vine will finally arrive on Windows-powered Lumia smartphones, and a full-function WhatsApp messenger will be avail able for the new Asha handsets in "the coming weeks".

With Tuesday's unveiling, the Asha range sees a design overhaul with what Nokia calls Icy Clear Exterior - a transparent cover over the bright Nokia design. Additionally, the company's Asha 503 is its first 3G-capable budget handset.

Interestingly, Nokia's Lumia 2520 directly competes with Microsoft's Surface 2 tablet that began shipping on Tuesday. Nokia and Microsoft, on September 3, had announced that both companies have entered into a transaction where Microsoft will purchase all of Nokia's Devices & Services business for $7billion.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014 - around the same time the n ew 2520 tablet is set to be shipped to most markets.

The products, with prices starting at $69 (before subsidies and taxes) for the Asha 500 to $749 for the Lumia 1520 will begin shipping in Q4, 2013 in the US, UK, Finland, China, France and Germany. No launch dates or prices were announced for India.

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