Nokia rumoured to be working on iPad rival

Apple's iPad has primed the market for tablet devices

Nokia is rumoured to be developing a tablet device to rival the iPad which it will release later this year.

Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman & Renshaw, claimed in a Reuters report that Nokia is gearing up its supply chain for an autumn launch.

"It has to be on the shelf by September-October to meet demand for the holiday window," he said.

Nokia was contacted about the reports, but said that it "does not comment on rumour or speculation".

However, principal Ovum analyst Adam Leach agreed that Nokia is likely to be preparing a tablet product, given the fact that Apple had primed the market for such devices.

"Apple's move with the iPad will no doubt lead to the creation of many more 'me too' devices from other manufacturers in this area. Nokia already has the right software with its MeeGo platform developed with Intel for a tablet device," he said.

"Nokia already has tablet devices like the N800 and N700, but Apple has made the market more aware of these types of products. Nokia could also benefit from Apple's refusal to run Flash by offering a device that supports the format."