Nokia likely to launch Windows 8 tablet PCs in 4Q12, say sources

Nokia will team up with Microsoft to venture into the tablet PC market by releasing a 10-inch Windows 8-based tablet PC set on Qualcomm's dual-core platform in the fourth quarter of 2012 at the earliest, according to sources at upstream component suppliers.

Nokia is expected to outsource production of the 10-inch tablets to Compal Electronics with the first batch of shipments to top 200,000 units, the sources revealed.

Nokia's joining of the WoA (Windows on ARM) camp is expected to give Microsoft additional strength to compete with Google's Android platform as well as Apple's iOS, the sources noted.

However, other sources noted that Nokia's venture into the tablet PC market will also further intensify competition among non-iPad tablet PC vendors.

source