Nokia preparing an 8-inch Lumia tablet for early next year

Nokia is currently preparing its next Windows-based Lumia tablet. Twitter account Evleaksfirst revealed the codename for Nokia’s 8-inch Windows tablet — Illusionist – and The Verge can confirm the Finnish smartphone maker is readying it for a release early next year. Sources familiar with Nokia’s plans have confirmed the Illusionist codename, while revealing that the device will ship with Windows RT 8.1 and a Qualcomm processor. We understand Nokia is planning to release its smaller tablet around the same time its 6-inch Lumia 1320 debuts in certain markets next year.

While Nokia is pushing ahead with its small tablet plans for next year, it’s not clear whether the device will ever make it to the market broadly. Pending regulatory approval, Microsoft is expected to close its Nokia deal to acquire the hardware business in early 2014. Both Nokia and Microsoft are unable to cooperate closely until the deal is approved, and both firms have to continue with existing product plans to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Microsoft is also expected to launch its own 7.5-inch Surface "mini" in early 2014, meaning the company could have two similar Windows RT-based tablets for next year.

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