Nokia Corporation
(
NOK
) is all set to launch its latest Windows-based tablet during the
early part of 2013. Launch of the tablet will put Nokia in direct
competition with operating system (OS) partner
Microsoft Corporation's
(
MSFT
) own Windows tablet - 'Surface.'
The new 10.1 inch tablet - will be based on latest Windows RT
platform, which is the tablet version of the Windows8 OS and runs
on ARM computer processor. Additionally, the tablet will have a
HDMI output, two USB ports and an in built cellular radio.
Notably, the best features of the tablet are the presence of a
physical keyboard in addition to the virtual one and a 10-hour
battery backup. The second largest US carrier,
AT&T Inc.
(
T
) will be the first operator to offer the tablet soon after its
launch the US market.
During the earlier part of 2012, Nokia launched its Windows
8-based tablet but it was not very successful as it was quite
late to launch the wireless gadget, as by then
Apple Inc.'s
(
AAPL
) iPad 3 has established its strong foothold in different
markets. Apple's mini build on that success also performed well
and is planning to launch iPad mini 2.
For quite some time now, Nokia has been struggling in the
smartphone business due to stiff competition from Apple's iOS and
Google Inc.'s
(
GOOG
) Android platform. Despite teaming up with Microsoft, Nokia
hasn't performed as expected. However, the latest Lumia 920 and
Lumia 820 have performed better than its predecessors and are
witnessing supply shortages.
According to research firm IDC, tablet market is expected to grow
at a 2012-2016 CAGR of 23.3% with Windows-based tablets projected
to grow the highest. Furthermore, Apple's tablet market share
slumped to 50.4% in third quarter of 2012 from 65.5% in second
quarter of 2012.
We believe if Nokia can price the tablet competitively it could
create its own space in the tablet market. However, despite a
decline in market share, vending off Apple's competition in the
lucrative North American market would be the biggest challenge
for Nokia.
We retain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Nokia Corp.
Currently, it holds a short term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold).
APPLE INC (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
GOOGLE INC-CL A (GOOG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
MICROSOFT CORP (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NOKIA CP-ADR A (NOK): Free Stock Analysis
Report
AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research