HELSINKI, Finland-As expected, Nokia Corp. released a redesigned version of its N-Gage mobile-phone/video-game device. The company upgraded several features that came under heavy criticism when the first version of the device was launched last year, including the location of the voice speaker and the removal of MMC game cards.
RCR Wireless News reported Monday on rumors of the new device.
The new N-Gage, which Nokia dubbed the N-Gage QD, features “hot-swappable” MMC cards, allowing users to remove and install new game cards through a slot on the side of the device. The first version of the N-Gage required users to turn off the device and remove the battery to swap out MMC card games. Further, Nokia said the new N-Gage QD will support what the company dubbed “classic talking,” or speaking into the microphone while holding the device flat. The first version of the N-Gage required users to place calls by holding the device on its side.
“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,” said Ilkka Raiskinen, Nokia’s senior vide president of games.
Nokia said the newly redesigned device would sell in Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa in May, and in June in the Americas. The device will sell from between $100 and $200, depending on carrier subsidies.
Nokia’s advanced N-Gage QD features the company’s Series 60 operating system, based on the Symbian platform, as well as support for GPRS voice and Internet connections, multiplayer capabilities through Bluetooth, and Java technology. Interestingly, the new N-Gage QD device does not feature support for MP3 music files like the initial N-Gage.
Separately, Nokia announced video game publisher Activision will design a version of its popular “Call of Duty” World War II action game for the N-Gage. The game will be available in the fourth quarter.
