Nokia Launches First Ever Tablet, the 10.1in Lumia 2520

Nokia looks to give Windows RT a shot in the arm by launching the Lumia 2520, a 10.1in tablet to challenge Microsoft's Surface 2.

After what has seemed like an eon of rumours and speculation, Nokia has finally unveiled its first ever tablet, with the Lumia 2520 joining the company's growing line-up of Lumia smartphones - which has just been augmented with the 6in 'phablets' the Lumia 1520 and Lumia 1320.

The Lumia 2520, which will go on sale before the end of the year, features a high resolution (1920 x 1080) display which Nokia says has been specifically designed to work better than competitor tablets when in direct sunlight, with a luminance of 665 nits (compared to around 400 nits on the iPad).

The tablet will run the tablet-optimised version of Windows 8.1 known as RT, a platform which has had very limited support thus far, with Microsoft's Surface tablets the most high-profile products launched so far.

Windows RT uses the tiled interface which Microsoft first introduced with its Windows Phone platform, and except for specially-designed versions of the Office suite of apps, no traditional desktop apps will work on the Lumia 2520.

The Lumia 2520, along with new Lumia smartphones and Asha feature phones, were all unveiled at the company's Nokia World conferecne in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the same day Apple is expected to launch its latest iPad and iPad mini models.

These are likely to be the last Nokia products announced before Microsoft completes its takeover of the company's smart device business, which is expected to be finalised in early 2014.

Offline maps

The tablet will weigh 615g (compared to the iPad which weighs 652g) and measures 168 x 267 x 8.9mm. It will be powered by a top-of-the-line 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor paired with 2GB of RAM. The Lumia 2520 will come with 32GB of storage with a microSD card slot allowing you expand this by a further 32GB.

The tablet will come with a number of exclusive apps, including what Nokia is calling the only "true offline maps" experience on a tablet using the company's own HERE maps technology. The tablet will also come with an exclusive game called Dragons Adventure which has been developed in association with Dreamworks Animation.

4G connectivity

The tablet will also come with 4G connectivity as well as Wi-Fi and Nokia says you will be able to charge the tablet's battery to 80% in just one hour the company claims.

The Lumia 2520 will be available in the UK, Finland and the US before the end of the year and will cost $499 (£310) before taxes. Nokia told IBTimes UK that UK-specific pricing would be announced at a later date.

Keyboard cover

Like the Surface tablet, the Nokia Lumia 2520 will also be available with a keyboard cover, called the Nokia Power Keyboard which will cost $149. As well as offering a proper tying experience, the Power Keyboard will give you an extra five hours of battery life along with two USB ports.

The tablet will be available in glossy red and white finishes as well as matte cyan and black versions.