You know, Nokia only needs to have one or two kick ass titles to make their new N-Gage gaming platform work. In the past we’ve seen how far teh platform was pushed with mobile version of Medal of Honor for the second generation N-Gage and while we were impressed, it still wasn’t very playable.

Well hopefully Nokia has learned from this and they’re now bringing in playable titles that will hopefully create a following in their new mobile gaming platform. Yes we’re talking about Metal Gear Solid.

The new version of the classic game features original content that can only be found on the mobile platform. METAL GEAR SOLID(R) MOBILE includes never-before-seen dramatic 3D art displays and camera work. The detailed in-game graphics capture the atmosphere of the METAL GEAR SOLID(R) series and create a depth that completely draws the player into the game, and pushes the capabilities of the mobile platform.

Players face the extreme tension of solitary infiltration in this version of the tactical espionage action game developed in conjunction with Ideaworks3D and utilizing its Airplay 3.5 SDK. An in-game camouflage system utilizes colour samples from the scenery of the real world captured by the handset’s camera. Moreover, additional controls are introduced that are made especially for mobile devices.

[PR Newswire Release]

You know what? This sounds promising. And we’re glad we don’t need a specific phone to play this game. It will run on any Nokia phone that supports the N-gage platform.

Image taken with permission from Nokia

Post from: Cellphone9

EDIT: My bad, apparently the contest is only open to members of the media around Asia and not the general public. Interesting though. I guess this gives the press more chances of winning that N81!

The Nokia Mission N-Gage site has been launched. Open to a number of countries in Asia, including Autralia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Vietnam, Nokia Mission N-Gage is a flash based finders keepers game where you will need to scroll through an arcade and find a silhoutte of various phones. You will also have to answer a multiple choice question after each find. Speed is the key here – and the reward for the top scorers in every country wins a Nokia N81! Check it out now and try your luck!

Mission N-Gage preempts the launch of the N-Gage platform in other parts of the world (that’s if it isn’t out yet).

[image credit author's own]

Post from: Cellphone9

As i write this post I’m currently downloading the Nokia N-Gage client for the Nseries phone. Nokia has released the preview version of the client for the N81. Similar to how XBOX Live worls, the client allows you to play games, install value added media and track player scores.

If you own a Nokia N81 or N81 8GB, you can download the application here.

Currently, these are the games available for download:

Space Impact: Kappa Base (11.7 MB)
System Rush: Evolution (13.2 MB)
Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep (28 MB)

So this is it guys, Nokia’s new business model for games is nearing completion. I honestly have mixed feelings about how this will turn out. With the proper pricing, the quality of games and developer relationships with Nokia – these three factors, together with the adrenaline rush for gaming via wireless Internet will spell success or defeat for the N-gage client.

Post from: Cellphone9

UPDATE: There is now a compatible iSync plugin for the N95 8GB.

The Nokia N95 8GB was announced during the Nokia Go Play event held in Singapore. The upgrade features the same phone with a much bigger screen, 2.8 inches to be exact. The screen is fantastic, allowing you a more comfortable view of your S60 operating system. The bigger screen is meant to pave the way for the N Gage platform which Nokia plans to roll out soon.

What’s shocking about the 8GB version of the N95 is that it doesn’t support the Nokia iSync plugin for the N95. Absurd. You’d think that it would be the same thing. Detecting from Bluetooth, the phone seems to support Address Book sync for the Macintosh, but it doesn’t seem to support iSync, which is, again, a big bummer. I’d appreciate information if you’ve managed to sync this device. Other sites report similar cases but have found a workaround detecting the phone as a “Nokia 00.”

The N95 8GB comes with a 3.5 mm jack located on the long side of the device. Why this was placed here instead of the top or bottom of the phone leaves me clueless. It is hard to pocket the device while listening to music because the cable gets in the way.

What’s great about this phone is that it is one of the few mobile devices that comes bundled with a RCA cable for the television. Yes, the N95 8GB comes with TV out support. Above is a quick set up photo using the N95 with a EPSON 1815 multimedia projector in my cramped room.

Post from: Cellphone9

As you know, the N-series phones provide enhanced mutimedia features – the N90 for instance boasts a spectacular Carl Zeiss lens and the best video recording quality found in a camera phone – its scary. The N91 is the N-series’ music phone, boasting 4GB of total memory to store files and most importantly – music.

Perhaps the partnership with ATI completes the circle as Nokia prepares for the next generation of the N-series as well as completing the third crucial element of multimedia – GAMING.

A new N-Gage perhaps? All signs seem to point to yes, folks.

[read the news]

Post from: Cellphone9