Nokia 10.1 Inch Windows RT Tablet Coming in Q1 2013: Apple iPads Going to Face Tough Competition

Gone are the days when Apple iPad was the first tablet that would come to mind while speaking of the tablet market segment across the globe. Reason being, the emergence of new era of tablets based on different operating systems and remarkable specs from several major manufacturers.

Maintly the evolution of Windows 8 platform, which is incorporated in Microsoft Surface, a major change is expected to happen in the tech world in days to come.

After Microsoft, Nokia, the Finnish handset vendor, which has held the record of being the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer in the past years, is also reportedly planning to foray into the tablet market in 2013.

This can be said, as the new report is swirling in the tech media world thay according to a Zacks Equity Research, Nokia will be launching a 10.1 inch Windows RT tablet with cellular connectivity options including HDMI and USB ports. The report adds on that the tablet will be paired with a detachable keyboard and the upcoming tablet will offer over 10 hours of battery backup.

Adding on further, the report has also suggested that Nokia will initially launch the tablet in the U.S. market in Q1 2013 via AT&T, the country's popular telecom operator.

For quite some time now, Nokia has been struggling in the smartphone business due to stiff competition from Apple's iOS and Google's Android platform. Despite teaming up with Microsoft, Nokia has not 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 about 23.3% between 2012-2016 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.

Analysts believe that if Nokia manages to price the tablet competitively it could create its own space in the tablet market. However, despite a decline in market share, competing with Apple in the North American market would be the biggest challenge for Nokia.