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Hybrids (à la the Lenovo Yoga) are also in store

Amid its smartphone slump Finnish phonemaker Nokia Oyj. (HEX:NOK1V) may look to new markets for a pick-me-up -- namely, the lucrative tablet market.

Thus far the challenge to Apple, Inc.'s (AAPL) dominant iPad has been weak at best, with only the Amazon.com, Inc.'s (AMZN) Kindle Fire managing to secure a significant chunk of sales.  Thus the door remains wide open for Windows 8 tablets -- tablets which will likely run Windows 8 RT, a special ARM-friendly OS release.

Following Nokia design head Marko Ahtisaari's March confirmation that a tablet was in the works, another Nokia executive has dropped hints at upcoming product.  Jarma Ollila, Nokia's departing Chairman, told The Financial Times in an interview, "Tablets are an important [product], so that is being looked into, and there will be different hybrids, different form factors in the future."

Intel Corp. (INTC) has been pushing the idea of "hybrid" Windows 8 ultrabooks hard.  Designs like the eye catching Lenovo Group, Ltd. (HKG:0992) "Yoga" design have been drawing considerable attention.

Thus one could expect Nokia's upcoming lineup to feature a mixture of Intel x86 hybrids and ARM tablets.

Nokia 10 inch tablet
Nokia is confirmed to be preparing a Lumia Windows 8 tablet.  [Image Source: The Verge]
 
Nokia and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) remain closely tied.  In exchange for Windows Phone adoption, Microsoft is helping to keep Nokia afloat financially through the painful transition.  Nokia's new CEO Stephen Elop served as a Microsoft Canada executive before moving into his current position.

Microsoft, like Canada's Research in Motion, Ltd. (TSE:RIM), is trying hard to sell Windows 8 tablets as a companion device to its smartphones.  While details are scarce, Windows Phone 8 is expected to feature special features to increase interaction with tablets.

Source: The Financial Times


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Nice...
By bplewis24 on 5/3/2012 6:59:22 PM , Rating: -1
While Windows Phone has no chance at gaining market share, Windows 8 on a tablet is really going to be worth waiting for. And there the metro UI will actually be bearable for me, whereas on a phone it's horrible.




RE: Nice...
By hemmy on 5/3/2012 9:12:06 PM , Rating: 3
That doesn't even make sense. You hate metro on phones but not on tablets? Also, I disagree about WP market share.


RE: Nice...
By B3an on 5/4/2012 6:25:30 AM , Rating: 3
Metro is seriously great on any touch interface. Better than any other UI. Even Steve Wozniak recently said its the most beautiful and easy to use phone OS around, and that even the apps on WP7 look better than their Android and iOS alternatives. Surprised DT hasn't reported on this.


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/3/2012 10:08:22 PM , Rating: 4
Windows 7.5 phones claims 4 of the top 5 spots and 9 out of the top 20 rated devices.

Top Rated in Cell Phones With Service Plans
http://www.amazon.com/gp/top-rated/wireless/240774...

The White Nokia 900 Sold out and the Magenta is coming soon.

Samsung is prepping a monster Windows Phone and wait till Verizon puts out thier massive windows phone launch.

Ultimately just try the device its an excellent phone seriously thats why it claims the top 4 of 5 on amazon for rating it really is that good.


RE: Nice...
By wordsworm on 5/4/2012 1:27:30 AM , Rating: 5
He's probably from the same choir that said that Apple had no chance with their iPhone.

Companies like Nokia aren't ready to walk away without a fight any more than RIM. It was just 10 years ago that Apple was on the verge of disappearing alongside Commodore and Atari. You can't count anyone out until they're out.


RE: Nice...
By B3an on 5/4/2012 6:31:49 AM , Rating: 3
It was more than 10 years ago. Apple very nearly died. If it wasn't for Microsoft bailing out Apple in the late 90's then it's very likely the company would not exist. Apple got lucky. But you do have a point.


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 9:22:04 AM , Rating: 3
I think Apple makes a very nice device but that doesn't mean everything else in the world is crap. I think there are positives and negatives to Android, iPhone and Windows Phone 7.

When my mother in law was looking for a new phone last week I told her to buy an iPhone and she did. Thats the device that makes the most sense for her. I could have told her to get a Windows Phone and Im sure she would have loved it too but considering she has an iPod mini touch and was familiar with the iTunes software I figured that would be better for her.

The point is people really should stop talking out of their ass about the Windows Phones as if there is something wrong with it.

Look at the Amazon reviews and realize the Windows Phone is a Damn Good OS. People love their X-Box but are somehow afraid of Windows Phone.


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 7:10:08 AM , Rating: 2
Sure, it's top rated on Amazon for now, probably because at the moment only windows phone fanbois will have bought into the platform. Give it some time and the ratings will fall once the general public get their hands on it. And yes the UI might be cool initially, but it currently lacks the personal reconfigurability that will keep advanced users happy over time.

Being SOLD-OUT doesn't mean anything, microsoft have done this many times before, finely tuning their supply lines to create the illusion of demand. Supermarkets have done a lot of research in this aera, when it looks like a product has "cleared the shelves" more people are likely to buy the remaining products in the Fear that they will run out.

As for being "that good", that's your personal opinion, I've tried it, I wasn't impressed so I don't know what you're fussing about. I've also looked into a good few reviews of windows phone devices:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/253192/nokia_lumia_...
and the general consensus seems to be that it's an ok phone, it has it's own set of problems and issues, i.e. it's nothing special.


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 9:29:22 AM , Rating: 3
PC World hasn't been relevant since the 90's.

Don't think I will take advice from someone who needs to pump himself up by calling himself RAD DUDE? Was SexyStud69 taken?


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 11:14:04 AM , Rating: 2
How do you know if that PCWorld article was relevant or not, you clearly didn't even click on it. If you had, then you would have seen that it was actually a round-up of many trusted and respected review sites, with links to the relevant articles and some of the highlights of Each.

Like Mitch101 is any better than raddude (made up mostly from my initials BTW), are you trying to scare or impress people people with your "Room 101" reference?

So your approach, not unlike any shady politican is to attack the person behind the host and the credability of the information they reference without even checking that information. You think this gives you the ability to completely bypass any points I made or information I used in order to win an argument. You clearly have a great future....... in politics


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 11:26:18 AM , Rating: 2
Isn't that what you did by calling me a fanbois initially yet I recommended an iPhone to my mother in law?

I did click the link. I'm speaking from Personal Experiences and References from people I know in the tech industry. Plus I support a corporate infrastructure of Mobile devices, Android, iPhone, iPad, and Blackberries were going to be adding Windows Phone devices soon based on my MANAGERS/Manager recommendation and CLIENT REQUESTS. Our company is most looking forward to Windows 8 tablets to my surprise considering upper management is pro Apple. Since I word with in the mobile space I talk to former people at other companies and they too are starting to see similar response and interest. I use MobileIron, BES, and Good Technology for mobile devices.

If only I could change my Name to Like-A-Boss-Mitch101. Then I could post I wasn't impressed with a lack of information on why I wasn't impressed and just reference an article.


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 12:15:23 PM , Rating: 2
Nope, I didn't call you a fanboi, how could I, you had not mentioned that you had bought a windows phone, and I'm still not completely sure if you you own such a phone.

I was pointing that the amazon ratings are not a good way to judge whether to buy a phone or not. People who are in line to get a phone as soon as it is released and immediatly post glowing 5-star reviews are indeed fanbois. Reasonable non-fanboi people step back and read reviews before they invest their time and money in a new and untried platform. And the reviews generally say "It's OK", and not the "Excellent" phone platform you think it is.

I work in the mobile application space, I've seen almost no interest in the windows phone platform from anyone I talk to (with just a single exception).


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 12:34:18 PM , Rating: 2
Lets look at some older ones then. My Imaginary Phone ranks 13 and is no longer available and is over a year old.

4. HTC Titan Windows Phone (AT&T)
5. Samsung Focus S 4G Windows Phone (AT&T)
8. HTC Radar 4G Windows Phone (T-Mobile)
13. HTC Arrive Windows Phone (Sprint) - MY PHONE Well over a year ago.
17. HTC Titan II 4G Windows Phone (AT&T)
24. Samsung Focus Flash 4G Windows Phone (AT&T)

The lowest rated Windows Phone is the LG - No surprise there and no surprise they are getting out of the Windows Phone market - I cant recall the last time I saw a decent LG phone and I really like the company.

Lets see about my imaginary work blackberry
86. BlackBerry Bold 9900 Phone (AT&T) - My work phone - My Opinion Horrible Horrendous Battery life and Navigation compared to previous generation blackberry devices.

Lets look at some of the others that I would agree with their ranking Samsung is most of the other phones in the top spot and I would say with the exception of the first Samsung epic Amazon ranking looks right to me.


RE: Nice...
By jimbojimbo on 5/4/2012 10:33:25 AM , Rating: 2
I agree with Mitch. PCWorld became "PC for the really stupid dummies" in the 90s and has no credibility.

I do agree though that Win7 really needs to be more user configurable. Everybody's phone at first glance is going to look exactly the same unless they read around online and figured out how to stick in a background.

Microsoft needs to allow users to control the transparency of every time independently. Look at how many tiles show nothing except a few words? How about allowing us to use a personal background and changing tiles to allow that background to show? The concept of tiles are great but it's extremely inefficient to show a large block of color that doesn't say much on them. Every phone OS now will let you use backgrounds, why not this?


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 11:22:34 AM , Rating: 2
I referenced that PCWorld article because it has links to many different reviews of the latest Lumina windows phone. Some of those reviews are full of glowing praise for windows phone and others point out many of the problems with the new windows phone platform. I.e. it's not the ultimate platform that many fanbois are saying it is, but generally the reviews say it's good enough at the moment.

I reckon microsoft will improve the configurability of their phone OS in a couple of versions time, maybe not in version 8, but soon after at the latest.


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 11:54:34 AM , Rating: 2
How do you make comments like "microsoft will improve the configurability of their phone OS in a couple of versions time, maybe not in version 8, but soon after at the latest. "

I don't mean to go on the offensive but seriously how do you know are you beta testing Windows phone 8? I dont find configuration to be an issue on Windows Phone 7 why would 8 be bad? The only mobile device where configuration is getting worse is Blackberry.


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 12:30:58 PM , Rating: 2
Thanks for deliberately mis-quoting me, I in fact said:
quote:
I reckon microsoft will improve the configurability of their phone OS in a couple of versions time, maybe not in version 8, but soon after at the latest

and not:
quote:
microsoft will improve the configurability of their phone OS in a couple of versions time, maybe not in version 8, but soon after at the latest

If you want to know I am using the word "Reckon" according to this definition
quote:
To conclude, as by an enumeration and balancing of chances; hence, to think; to suppose

Check out this lik to the definition of the word "Reckon" if you want proof that I am using the word properly:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/reckon
In other words I don't know for sure, but this is a problem with the platform that many reviews have mentioned, and microsoft is well know for listening to users and reviews when it comes to adding missing features.

Sure, maybe you're fine with your phone at the moment, that doesn't mean everybody will be.


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 1:19:58 PM , Rating: 2
I see how that works.

I reckon Android devices wont need to be rebooted every day in a future version because they freeze, hang, and crash all the time but not this or the next version no thats just not possible for them to fix all the bugs in one version. - See what I did there spread FUD like you were doing.

The problem is your pulling negative comments out of your arse without knowing anything about the device. I doubt you ever tried a Windows Phone 7.

Windows Phone 7 has high satifaction lets look pre nokia launch too
http://www.wingadgetnews.com/3-amazons-top-5-cell-...

Windows Phone 7 is Number 1 in Smartphone Customer Satisfaction
http://www.everything-microsoft.com/2012/01/07/win...


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 2:39:26 PM , Rating: 1
No worries, I'm glad I'm glad I could help you learn the meaning of "I reckon", if (in the unlikely event) anybody else thinks that I was stating a fact, then I apologise. I was just stating my opinion.

I stated this opinion because I think that microsoft will have it's hands full making the transition to the new kernel in the windows phone 8 OS, many hardware drivers will have to be re-built to take advantage of the multi-core functionality that the new kernel will finally have. This is the reason why I think they will probably wait until the version after that to make any significant improvements to the UI.

And No, I'm pulling my negative comments about windows phone from impartial reviews and my own personal experience with a windows phone.

You however are pulling favourable reviews from clearly biased sites. Generally, you can assume that everything on a site like "everything-microsoft" or "wingadgetnews" is biased until proved otherwise. And did you even read those articles?

The first article freely admits that of all the reviews it surveyed, 75% were of Android phones and just 1% were of Windows Phones. It's like I said initially, a small number of windows phone fanbois got their phones early and posted overly-glowing reviews. Just because a couple of people "really like their phone" does not mean that everybody will like them.

This is why this article and Amazon's rating system is flawed, it does not take the Volume of sales into account. If a couple of people buying low-selling phones exaggerate their ratings then that brings up the average rating for that phone much more than it would for a high-selling phone. (And don't try to pull that Sold-out BS, that does not mean it is selling well). You could also look into the fact that some very low-selling older windows phone models have far more reviews posted than some much higher-selling Android phones, when something like this happens it should tell you that fanbois are at work.

Perhaps if you looked at more balanced reviews from impartial sources, you would finally come to understand that windows phone is not the greatest OS on the planet. It has flaws and problems, just be happy that it's good enough for now.


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 11:31:02 AM , Rating: 2
Skinnery
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/c8c0c357-62...

Skinery lets you skin tiles with your favourite photos. You can resize and position your photo as you like to fit on the tile.


RE: Nice...
By mondo1234 on 5/4/2012 1:28:22 PM , Rating: 2
While I agree that WP is nice, unfortunately it doesnt sell as well as its ratings on Amazon. Sales wise, WP is still in the top 5, with 2 handsets (Lumia 900s) in the top 20.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Cell-Phones-Acc...


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 1:48:58 PM , Rating: 2
The Nokia is supposedly selling well but your right for some reason people avoid the WP. Probably because so much fud was spread about the phone and because the sales agents didnt push it until recently.

If AT&T and Verizon want a third eco system its gonna happen.


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/4/2012 2:44:06 PM , Rating: 2
Have you got any data to support your claim that it is selling well? Not just that it's "sold out", I've read that shops were only given a tiny supply to begin with.
According to any hard data I've seen windows phone market share has continued to drop.


RE: Nice...
By raddude9 on 5/5/2012 4:33:12 AM , Rating: 2
Just checked again today and there are no longer any windows phone in the top 5, the Lumia 500 has dropped to 6th it looks like it has had its time in the sun.


RE: Nice...
By Arsynic on 5/4/2012 10:22:05 AM , Rating: 2
No chance? Based on what? Android and iOS dominance? Consumers are fickle and there's no such thing as customer loyalty. Ask RIM.

The fact that Windows 8 tablets will be a success is reason enough to believe that Windows Phone 8 will succeed.


RE: Nice...
By mondo1234 on 5/4/2012 12:12:39 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The fact that Windows 8 tablets will be a success is reason enough to believe that Windows Phone 8 will succeed.


I think WP8 and WT8 will succeed, but I dont know about Nokia. MS might want to think about a backup plan with Samsung. There is a new class action lawsuit just hitting the web.

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=U...


RE: Nice...
By Mitch101 on 5/4/2012 12:16:54 PM , Rating: 2
Not sure how far that will go the Nokia 900 was released at the end of the quarter but Samsung is gearing up to take on Nokia and kick them while they are down.


RE: Nice...
By Tony Swash on 5/4/12, Rating: 0
"We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk." -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs











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