Nokia is building a Windows 8 tablet. While plenty of other companies will likely follow suit, the Finnish company’s position is unique. In smartphones, Nokia is the only vendor that even has a chance of taking the fight to the iPhone using the Windows Phone platform. So it only follows that it’s also the only vendor to take the tablet fight in the same direction by adopting Windows 8. Most of the usual suspects for Windows tablets are also likely to be pushing Android alternatives, so Nokia may be the company funneling all its efforts into Windows 8.
Since we actually don’t know anything about the product, let’s imagine what it would take to build a winning Windows 8 ARM tablet.
Windows 8
As just a tablet, or a more traditional ARM notebook on steroids, I doubt this product would be very interesting. But as a transforming product, one that had a detachable keyboard like the Asus Transformer Prime, it would have some intrigue. You see, even though the ARM version of the product will not run Windows 7 programs, it will ship with an embedded version of the key Office applications rewritten for ARM. This means, unlike the x86 version, no changing interfaces and an experience much closer to the iOS and Android today, but with far better productivity built in. That means you could actually live on this product with a keyboard.
AMOLED or Mirasol transflective display
Samsung has already stated shipping its AMOLED display tablet in a 7.7-inch form factor, but that size is best for readers and entertainment. Apple has taken its Retina display to the iPad, and the only thing in market better is the AMOLED technology. Even next to the amazing Retina display, AMOLED should make the Retina display look dull because it has vastly deeper blacks, causing the images to really pop. The only thing that could be better than AMOLED would be transflective color displays like the Qualcomm Mirasol display. It uses ambient light to massively conserve battery life in natural light, and work outdoors nearly as well as e-paper. A smaller 7-inch transflective product could be a great reader as well as a productivity tool, giving the Kindle a run for its money.
More than 10 hours of battery life
One of the difficulties those of us using smartphones and tablets encounter — particularly Apple’s – is that you can’t have a spare battery. You can buy a number of battery extenders and mobile chargers, but the issue is that we often don’t remember to charge our “precious,” and when it dies we’re left feeling like Gollum after he lost the ring. Worse really, because we end up disconnected. That can be a big issue if you are calling for a ride or help, suddenly find you can’t respond to an email or instant message timely, or even worse, you’re just bored and your damn e-book won’t fire up.
I’m particularly fond of the Asus Transformer Prime’s approach of putting a second battery in the keyboard because you’re likely to have it with you, and that spare battery is a life saver. But less than 10 hours would be a problem, and some kind of a built-in way to boost the time you can power it would be a big plus.
4G option or bundled with a tethered 4G phone
3G just won’t cut it by the end of the year, and I’m an even bigger fan of embedded tethering. Only the BlackBerry PlayBook seemed to grasp this concept, but then RIM didn’t really sell it. Having multiple data plans is a waste since you can’t really browse on your smartphone while you are browsing on your tablet, so why not one plan that covers both devices? Set it up so the tablet automatically tethers with the phone when you buy them together. Better yet, have them able to talk to each other so you simply put both devices in tether mode, hit connect, and be permanently done. Tablets were meant to be constantly connected, but no one has truly done a great job of getting that done inexpensively.
Brilliant design
Making another iPad clone would be better than building an ugly box, but the goal would be to build something substantially better. Something like the carbon-fiber-wrapped TAG Heuer phone could play well, and a theme tied to racing or technology might be interesting if the result was thin. But it needs to be something that folks would be proud to say isn’t an iPad. (Granted, Samsung did prove you could create a better-looking iPad with the Galaxy Tab, which is why I think it was so successful and why it pissed off Steve Jobs as much as it did, but that is just the bar.) Nokia should strive for something more than being a better copy.
Complete user experience
The problem with most companies building both Windows and Android products is that they typically don’t assure the user experience. They have a tendency to agree it sucks, and then blame Microsoft or Google for the suckiness (technical term). Apple OS X actually started with BSD UNIX, but looks more finished than competitors. If one company can improve something 90 percent, everyone else should be able to improve it 10 percent. Nokia has been given unique permissions to alter the user experience with Microsoft products, and should do whatever it takes to make its Windows tablet more complete than the iPad. The iPad isn’t perfect — if it were we would have all stopped buying after the first one. The newer iPad will be better than the new iPad, after all (OK, I hate what Apple is doing with naming: the iPad 4 will be better than the iPad 3). Figure out what the iPad 4 will be in terms of total user experience and build it first.
Taking a market
Apple was never able to take the PC market away from Microsoft, and Microsoft was never able to build a better iPod. Apple is effectively winning PC market share with the iPad by side stepping and creating something that is both different and compelling. In the end, that is likely the best path for Nokia: Not a better iPad, but a device that is orthogonal. It should do what the iPad does, but approach the problem differently, much like the iPad does on a portability vector. However, that kind of a move requires a willingness to take risk and massive innovation. I’m not sure the team at Nokia has that in them. I’m not dissing Nokia — I’m not even sure Apple has that in Apple anymore now that Steve is gone. But that would be the gold ring: not a better iPad, but what Microsoft should have done with Zune, a better whatever is next. (Microsoft should have done a phone and beat Apple to the iPhone rather than chase the iPod). Interestingly, Windows 8 (which is a PC OS), is likely where Apple is going as it adds capabilities to iOS and eventually replace the Mac OS with it. Getting there first with a complete solution is possible, now Microsoft and Nokia just have to step up.
Guest contributor Rob Enderle is the founder and principal analyst for the Enderle Group, and one of the most frequently quoted tech pundits in the world. Opinion pieces denote the opinions of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of Digital Trends.
Samsung’s newest AMOLED displays don’t look even close to as good as the new iPad. It’s pretty obvious you haven’t used a new iPad if you wrote that. I know we’re speculating here, but let’s just get real. The iPad retina display has no equal right now.
“It’s possible for Nokia to dethrone Apple’s market-leading iPad”
Sure it is. Just like it’s possible for a pig to build a Warp Drive and fly it to Barnard’s Star.
You can’t overcome deliberate ignorance and cult worship of a dead god.
This article is obvious click-bait. Makes me glad I use ad-blockers.
Apple users are literally worshiping a dead god. RIP Steve Jobs.
Rob, your complete lack of design sensibility is hilarious. Almost loveably so. I bet you still keep the old afghans slung over the back of the couch, no? The Galaxy tab is clunky and horrible looking and that phone looks like it was designed by an 8 year old boy with a transformers obsession.
My perfect device is a tablet with the power of a PC that can be docked with a full-size monitor and keyboard. Call it the best of both worlds. IMO that’s “what’s next” or at least should be.
It won’t be just Nokia going up against the ipad it will be the full pantheon of mobile device makers, consumer PC builders and, business PC sellers. Everyone from Dell, HP, and Lenovo to Asus, LG, Nokia, and Samsung will be releasing Windows 8 tablets before years end. All of these manufactures plus many others have had two years to practice making Android tablets and while many won’t cut it there will be some surefire homeruns in the group. Lookout for the likes of Asus and Samsung who have already shown they can match Apple’s offerings.
Windows 8 on X86 promises the ability to have a tablet that can be the true all-in one product. Using the same OS and software package a tablet could (Transform) into a laptop, attach to a tv as a HTPC and game system or even drop onto a dock to power a full size monitor with keyboard and mouse. Not to mention that it’s X86 Windows so it can run Android apps using freeware like Bluestacks and of course the full Windows catalog of software plus Metro and WP7+ apps. As for hardware you will be seeing mostly Intel based systems running everything from nextgen 22nm Atom to at least 22nm Ivy Bridge Core i5 cpu’s if not i7′s. If X86 legacy software support isn’t a priority for you then an Arm based Tablet dual-booting W8 and Android with all of the above functionality plus potently lower cost and power usage could be a real winner.
Regardless of Apple’s current lead Windows 8 is the OS that will usher in the era of the tablet “PC”. Apple’s ipad running iOS is the equivalent of a shiny new Honda scooter compared to Microsoft’s Windows 8 V-twin Harley Davidson Road King.
Coming back to this article: I think Microsoft had better allow the PC user the option to use one or the other side of the new OS. I think they may hit a sweet spot if they can, as seamlessly as possible, integrate the two looks without forcing one to use both.
Right now, I am dreadfully missing the Start button with the programs listed. It is like the media-consumption side of me likes the Metro tiles and the power-user side of me wants a developed old interface.
The idea of ‘destroying’ the iPad is ludicrous. Not because the iPad is such amazing technology but because they have people convinced that the iOS ecosystem is so far beyond the competition.
The goal of Windows 8 tablets should be provide the ‘power user’ features that the iPad doesn’t have. The convertible tablet is the future of computing and the focus should be on replacing traditional laptops. Trying to beat Apple at what they do best is a losing proposition.
You’re right on. This article . . . Yawn. Enough already with the tough guy “iPad killer?!” references. Having to endure years of “iPod killer?!” headlines, followed by “iPhone killer?!” headlines, it’s time for us readers to point out to you moronic editors that you use iPod/iPad/iPhone with the word “killer” (or in this case “destroying”) to draw readers. First, let me state the obvious: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN IPAD KILLER. Got it? Same goes for iPod AND iPhone. Why? Apple INVENTED THE MARKET for these devices. Therefore, they will always OWN the market. I’m not a fanboy, I’m not raving how wonderful Apple products are, this is simple economics and logic being applied to highlight an over-used editor trick to draw readers. Now, having gotten that out there, this device looks pretty cool and there is plenty of room in the market for quality devices. The better the device, the better for consumers for choice, quality and price! Apple has missed seriously DEEP design options that users are craving . . . and they’re already at their third generation while nobody else has entered anything near being an alternative option.
Absolutely and wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts here. Apple took simple and got it out looking pretty. Now that people are starting to grow up in the computer world, they can absorb something a little deeper than what the iPad offers. I would LOVE to see Microsoft and Nokia show us new directions and possibilities.
While I am not an Apple fanboy, I do believe Microsoft has some issues to overcome. I am a life-long beta geek and the current Windows 8 Consumer Review has some serious issues that will get on people’s nerves. So I hope they approach with a clear head about adjusting some basic usability issues with this Windows and show Apple that they are not the only ones with good ideas.
dude… at what price?… why does’t microsoft write windows 8 for the ipad?… microsoft has billions to do so… and would be a kudo to the past (remember there is a reason the dos prompt is c:> and not a:> and it is not because c:due to the fact that there were 2 floppies and a hdd in the system…)
it would be easier for microsoft to jail-break the ipad and install win8 then beat apple at it’s own game…
remember the first tablets that have win xp’/vista/win7 on them, they are over double the price of the iPad… and now hey have to have a matching retina display to justify their price.
apple added a retina display to kill off the tablet market, reduce the tablets to 400 dollars, make all the other non-ipads (including to win tablets) lame… and if the new ipad doesn’t sell well, apple can wait a year come out with a new model, reduce the price to 399 for the 1st new IPad and thus say GTFO with retarded engineering staff (the rest of the tablet makers).
before the new ipad, others had a chance to be a contender… now for them it is all about good-enough… meaning CHEAPER not better… doesn’t matter if the other ‘pads are faster… looks count.