Quote:
Originally Posted by rcentros
Except, as I mentioned before, Foxconn is not just sticking Nokia's name on a generic tablet (which is how this usually works) -- Nokia came to Foxconn with the design and Foxconn is manufacturing and selling Nokia's tablet. Nokia does not -- currently -- having the ability to manufacture or market their own product (they were gutted in the sell-out to Microsoft). Yes, Foxconn is taking a risk, but they're taking a risk with a Nokia designed product. I'm guessing this is the most expedient way for Nokia to keep their brand name out there before re-entering the mobile phone market in 2016.
I'm not a huge tablet fan, but at $249 with the specs this Nokia tablet has, I think this one is going to be successful. And I'm guessing this is just the first of several (down the line). I'm also guessing the nature of Nokia's partnership with Foxconn will change as Nokia recovers.
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The article says Nokia licensed the name and the design *to* Foxconn, who build and sell it. Not terribly different from Philips licensing their name to Tatung for HDTVs outside Europe.
The design may have originated with Nokia but the actual vendor is Foxconn.
(Like with Kobo readers and tablets or Philips TVs; it doesn't matter who designs and builds them. It matters who sells them and supports them.)
(Shrug)
If it were Nokia doing the distribution and selling it wouldn't be much news--lots of companies outsource design and manufacturing to Foxconn. What is notable is the inversion of the usual OEM/ODM roles and Foxconn taking steps tiwards being more than a job shop for virtual companies.
To me the Nokia name and IP is irrelevant--just another midrange android tablet--the big story is Foxconn evolving.