In one of its first major product releases as a Microsoft subsidiary, former handset heavyweight Nokia on Tuesday unveiled a new 7.9-inch Android tablet that appears to take a number of cues from Apple's rival iPad mini.
Nokia touts the N1's 64-bit processor, fully-laminated display, and one-piece aluminum body --Â "sandblasted for a satin finish" --Â that is available in both "natural aluminum" and "lava gray." Included in the device are an 8-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front camera, 2 gigabytes of RAM, a 6-axis gyroscope and accelerometer, and a MIMO-support 802.11ac Wi-Fi chip.
The control layout is nearly identical to Apple's miniature tablet, with a headphone jack and lock switch on top and two volume buttons on the upper-right edge. The bottom brings dual speakers that sit on either side of a reversible USB Type C connector.
The N1 will be one of the first devices to ship with the new USB connector standard. First announced in December of last year, USB Type C is slightly larger than Apple's Lightning connector, but allows users to insert the plug in any orientation.
Nokia plans to release the N1 in China for $249 early next year, "with the anticipation of expanding sales to other markets." The tablet will be produced by Foxconn, which has licensed the Nokia brand, the N1's industrial design, and Nokia's Z Launcher software.
