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Nokia unveil the N-Gage QD

Out next month, too...

Nokia have today officially revealed their latest attempt at a mobile phone 'gamedeck' in the shape of the next iteration of their heavily criticised N-Gage device. The new handheld will be called the N-Gage QD and will reportedly go on sale as early as next month in mobile phone retailers.

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Both the aesthetics and functionality of the N-Gage have altered radically, and Nokia have taken on-board criticism from both the public and the press. Thicker but a tad smaller, the new N-Gage is an impressive looking beast and comes complete with rubber padding to protect vulnerable areas.

The most important changed effected by Nokia is the repositioning of the speaker and the microphone on to the front the phone, enabling the N-Gage to be held at a 'normal' angle during voice calls, good news for those who found the previous 'Taco' position somewhat embarrassing. The MMC card slot is now located separately from the battery too, resulting in hassle-free swapping of games without the need for dismantling your phone.

"After six months on the market with the N-Gage platform, we wanted to expand our device portfolio based on the feedback we've received," enthused Nokia's Ilkka Raiskinen. "With improved gaming ergonomics, gamers can now start to play games at the push of a button and enjoy the increased responsiveness of the game keys. We also added support for hot-swap MMC and extended the battery life. For phone calls, we reoriented the speaker and microphone to support 'classic talking'."

The QD also boasts an improved, clearer screen, a re-positioned D-Pad, and exchangeable fascias and keys. Crucially, QD should not be regarded as the N-Gage 2 - rather something of a facelift only, as inside the device is the same and of course plays the same games.

As with the first N-Gage debut, the price you pay for the phone will depend greatly on what deals operators are offering, however it is expected to cost less than the original, and with the contract-free version costing something like 199 Euros, it is expected that some operators may be able to offer the QD for free. This new pricing comes at a functionality-cost however, the QD having lost the FM radio and MP3 playback facilities boasted by the original.

Apparently, the QD will not replace the original N-Gage entirely, instead it will be sold alongside it in many stores, allowing consumers the choice - though Nokia predict some retailers may drop support for the original entirely. The new QD platform perhaps demonstrates the flexible approach Nokia has towards the device, with other iterations boasting varying features planned for releases in the future. More as we get it.

1. is this mac compatable?

   e

   edgardesigns@mac.com Friday, 25 June 2004, 22:39:59