HTC reportedly working on two Windows-based tablets set to launch in late 2013

Last week we saw reports of Nokia's plans to resume work on its 10-inch Windows RT tablet that could debut at next year's MWC. The Finnish handset maker isn't the only one. HTC is also reportedly working on not one, but two Windows-based tablets.

According to a report in Bloomberg, the Taiwanese manufacturer is planning a late 2013 launch of the devices, which will feature screen sizes of 12-inch and 7-inch. They are expected to be powered by Qualcomm chips. The company has ruled out the use of Intel chips saying that would push the cost of the tablet to around the $1000 mark, which the company believes will make it difficult to sell.

It would be interesting to see how the 7-inch Windows RT-based tablet from HTC (that may have calling support) competes with the likes of Google's Nexus 7 and the more recently introduced Apple's iPad mini.

The report also cites HTC's need to capitalise on newer opportunities with the company losing its Android smartphone market share to Samsung, with its fourth-quarter revenue in October highlighting its lowest sales in 11 quarters. The company had also scrapped its plans of a larger-screen version of its Windows Phones amid concerns of lower resolution than competing models.

There are no further details pertaining to production or timelines on the HTC's tablets.

All was not well in Microsoft's home stable too with sales of its Surface tablet being sub par according according to analysts such as Craig Berger at FBR Capital Markets & Co.

While Nokia's plans of a new tablet have been clear since March this year, HTC has jumped on to the tablet bandwagon and we'll be waiting to see how both the company's tablets battle it out on the pricing front in comparison to competition.