Err... you recoup the R&D money spent by profiting off it from your other devices. For example, you sell the tablet (you may get some money back, or you may lose money). You see what features are seen +. What are seen as -.

Then you put those + features in your new products (Say an N95 or N96, or whatever device you want to sell to the masses). While minimizing the - features. This saves them the trouble of messing around with their main series phone much and they get the benefit of real user experience and input by having the internet tablets out in the wild.

People who buy those products (like you) then see the N95 or whatever as a great product. Therefore you've helped Nokia recoup the costs they spent on R&D for the internet tablet (if they haven't already recouped the costs) when you pay for your phone.