Nokia has two patented tablet designs, are they going to be Windows 8?

Not long after Stephen Elop hinted that Nokia might have something to offer in the tablet segment, it has been discovered that Nokia was granted not one, but two tablet designs back in March 2011.

It has been rumored for some time now that Nokia was working on tablets, even before the whole agreement with Microsoft emerged. There has been talk that a new tablet may be forthcoming this year. Aside from these patent drawings, we know precious little about what might make the devices tick, or have a real measure of their dimensions.

One of the designs is definitely reminiscent of the Nokia N9 or Lumia 800 and 900. The other design appears to be a bit more traditional, yet both would seem at home in Nokia’s offering.

That these patents were granted back in 2011, and that have seen nary a peep to feed the rumors, it seems highly unlikely that either of these would make a splash with the release of Windows 8. Based on Elop’s comments last month however, it would be somewhat safe to say that Nokia will have a tablet offering, but probably not right away while the company concentrates on the handset and mapping businesses which will yield the biggest bang for the buck.

sources: Nokiapoweruser, Patent 1, Patent 2 via wpcentral