N-Gage launch a real damp squib

THE LAUNCH OF the N-Gage QD yesterday was quite a damp squib, really. It's actually called the N-Gage QD - which we suspect stands for Quick Detach - and is a reference to the fact that this version quite sensibly has a slot for hot-swapping MMC cards.

But there was no camera, no MP3 player and no radio.

As predicted, however, the means of using the N-Gage to talk has been changed to provide what Nokia now calls a 'Front talk phone design'.

What suprised many is that the screen resolution is still just 4K colours (176 x 208 pixels) and its internal available memory just 3.4 Mb. It is smaller, though and battery life has been improved to allow Talk Times to reach 3.5 hours and games playing to carry on for between five and ten hours.

Another change is that the QD boasts a separate 'Start' button. Nokia does, however, seem to have beefed up the N-Gage's ability to communicate.

As the device is running Symbian with built-in support for Java (J2ME), it's now possible to download Java games over the air via GPRS, HSCSD (High Speed Data) or even GSM dial-up (if you're mad enough to pay for the call).

Additionally it can support almost any kind of email client you can imagine. The only feature you could possibly get excited about is the new N-Gage Arena launcher which is a pre-installed software application that makes it easy for all gamers to access the Arena site (via GPRS).

Members can then communicate with one another, download exclusive content, access rankings statistics, and participate in events. Exisiting N-Gagers can download this app from www.n-gage.com in May 2004. Price should be between $99 and $199 depending on operator subsidies. µ

* MEANWHILE, a securities class action started in the US in the southern district of New York. The allegation is that Nokia and one or more of its officers and/or directors made materially false and misleading statements to the market, which caused the market price of its shares to rise.