Nokia is making better Lumia handsets and a Windows 8 tablet

FINNISH PHONE FIRM Nokia launched the Lumia 800 today but thoughts have already turned to follow-up devices and a Windows 8 tablet.

Whilst Nokia is busy hyping its launch of the Lumia 800 smartphone, news has come from France about the next versions of the device and a Windows 8 tablet.

Speaking about the Lumia 800, Paul Amsellem, head of Nokia in France told Les Echos, "It's just the equivalent of the BMW 5 Series. We will soon have a full range with a Series 7 and Series 3."

He also confirmed plans for a tablet on the next version of Microsoft's operating system, saying, "And in June 2012, we will have a tablet running Windows 8."

Likening the phone to a car isn't common, but nevertheless he's touting that various Lumia handsets will arrive that will be better than the Lumia 800. One of these could be the Nokia Champagne, which we heard about last week. That apparently will run Windows Phone 7.10 Tango.

Amsellem also spoke of the firm's plans to boost its market share, saying, "More than 60 [per cent] of French people do not have smartphones and this is our target." In France Nokia's market share is less than 16 per cent now, compared to 25 per cent two years ago. µ