Looks like next Friday is going to be a busy day. In addition to seeing the Xbox One launch on that day, Nokia's curiously interesting Windows RT-based tablet, the Lumia 2520, will start shipping that day too.
You may recall that this device has a suggested retail price of $499. And that is indeed the price without a contract. But the version that arrives next Friday can also be bought in subsidized form with AT&T Wireless-based cellular broadband connectivity. That will cost $399.99 with a two-year contract, which doesn't seem like a huge savings to me. In fact, based on how smart phones are sold, one might argued that the subsidized pricing on this should be closer to $99.
You can also optionally purchase the device with a bundled Nokia Lumia 925, Nokia Lumia 1020, or Nokia Lumia 1520 smartphone for $199.99. (The 1520 debuts next Friday too.) Both versions appear to be the black version, though other colors will eventually become available (possibly not on AT&T).
You can find out more about this device in my Nokia Lumia 2520 Preview. But it's notable for a few reasons.
Windows RT 8.1. It's the only non-Microsoft device shipping this year with Windows RT 8.1. That means it also includes a free copy of Office 2013 RT, with Outlook 2013 RT, of course.
Available Power Keyboard cover. It is not included with the device, but you can buy an optional and unique keyboard cover for the 2520 that includes a trackpad, 2 additional USB ports, and additional battery life. I'm curious to see how this compares to Microsoft's Surface typing covers. It costs $149.
Battery life. Nokia claims that the device gets 11 hours of battery life, about an hour more than the Surface 2.
Performance. Qualcomm claims that the ARM processor in the 2520 is superior to the TEGRA 4 in the Surface 2.
Unique Nokia apps. As promised, the Lumia 2520 is bundled with some interesting (and in some cases unique) Nokia apps, including Nokia Storyteller, Nokia Video Director, Nokia Music and HERE Maps. If you are familiar with the quality of Nokia apps on Windows Phone, you know why this is a big deal.
The Lumia 2520 can be preordered from AT&T Wireless or from the Microsoft Store. No word on the Verizon version yet, and I've never heard back from Nokia on a review unit, so we'll see what happens there. I am hoping to review the device if possible.
