| Nokia N-Gage QD |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 |
| Announced | April, 2004 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 118 X 68 X 22 Mm, 123 Cc |
| Weight | 143 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tft, 4096 Colors |
| Size | 176 X 208 Pixels, 35 X 41 Mm |
| | - Four-way Directional Controller |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (16 Channels), Monophonic, Wav |
| Customization | Composer(mono), Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| | - Hi-fi Stereo Headset |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 8 Fields, In Shared Memory, Photo Call |
| Call Records | All For The Last Month, Adjustable |
| Card Slot | Mmc, Hot Swap, |
| | - 3.4 Mb Shared Internal Memory
- Shared Memory For Images, Contact Data, Calendar, Messages, Add-on Applications
- 20 Voice Dial Numbers |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 6 (3+1/2+2 Slots), 24 - 36 Kbps |
| Hscsd | Yes, 43.2 Kbps |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, V1.1 |
| Infrared Port | No |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Os | Symbian Os V6.1, Series 60 V1.0 Ui |
| Messaging | Sms, Mms, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Browser | Wap 2.0/xhtml |
| Games | Tons, Single And Multiplayer + Java Downloadable, |
| Colors | |
| Camera | No |
| | - Java Midp 1.0
- T9
- Syncml
- Voice Dial
- Built-in Handsfree/speaker |
| Battery |
| | Slim, Li-ion 1070 Mah (bl-6c) |
| Stand-by | Up To 240 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 3 H 30 Min |
|
Nokia - N-Gage QDIn the first six months since the original N-Gage was released, Nokia realized it had made some mistakes due to lackluster sales. As a result, it has recently announced the release of its improved version of the first-generation N-Gage phone / multiplayer gaming system, called the N-Gage QD.
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Nokia has stressed that the new N-Gage QD isn't N-Gage 2.0, but rather still based on the original platform. The 2.0 platform will not be expected to surface until 2005 at the earliest. The N-Gage QD is built upon the existing N-Gage platform but has some improved features that should have been on the original.
Since we will be comparing the original N-Gage and the new N-Gage QD quite extensively, it can be quite confusing distinguishing which one is being referenced. For simplicity's sake, further mention of the original N-Gage will be "N-Gage" while the recently released improved N-Gage QD will be called "N-Gage QD" or simply "QD."
Design
One of the first noticeable changes was the design of the N-Gage QD. The original N-Gage's microphone and speaker were located on the top. This forced users to hold the phone on edge. Due to the N-Gage's shape, the term "taco phone" or "elephant ear" came to be synonymous with embarrassed users talking on the N-Gage. Many people complained about it's awkward shape and even more awkward design as a phone.
Nokia listened and created the QD to have the earpiece and speaker on the front allowing for a much more natural way of answering the phone. Additionally, the dimensions are slightly smaller at 118 x 68 x 22 mm, compared to the 133 x 70 x 22 mm of the N-Gage. But unfortunately, that makes the N-Gage QD slightly harder to grip.
The N-Gage QD keypad has been altered as well. Many consumers have complained that the original N-Gage's keypad was too stiff to be used comfortably. Fortunately, the QD has been redesigned to include a more responsive keypad.
The directional keypad has also lost the ability to be pressed down. Instead of a 5-way keypad, the QD has a 4-way keypad with an extra button below. As to if this is better or not will depend on the user. Some may find it frustrating to pick up their thumb to press the button, while others may find the change refreshing.
Although some changes were cosmetic, others are functional. A major concern about the N-Gage was the hassle of changing games. Users needed to turn off the unit, remove the back cover, and then take out the battery in order to finally get to the game slot. Since this made swapping games difficult and time consuming, Nokia has designed the N-Gage QD have the ability to hot swap through a side compartment.
Basic Features
The basic features of the N-Gage QD are mostly unchanged from the original. However, the phone is now either dual-band GSM 850 / 1900 (Americas) or GSM 900 / 1800 (Europe, Asia, and Africa). The original N-Gage was tri-band 900 / 1800 / 1900.
Now the QD will not be able to used worldwide. However, this is not necessarily a drawback. For U.S. consumers, the addition of the 850 MHz frequency allows the QD to work across Cingular and AT&T's mixed networks where the original could not before.
The QD's operating platform is the Symbian 6.1 OS, not 7 like other Nokia phones. Nokia has also managed to increase its battery life from the original 6 hours of gameplay, to the new QD's 10 hours by bumping up the battery from 850 mAh to 1070 mAh.
Screen
The QD's LCD display is a 4096 color 176 x 208 px, making it a vertical screen. The orientation of the screen is a deviation from the classic horizontal orientation of most hand-held game decks.
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Compared to the N-Gage, the screen is virtually the same, with the exception of the QD's screen being slightly brighter and sharper. But both the N-Gage and the QD has a TFT screen for fast refresh rates needed for gaming.
LCDs come in two forms, and TFT, as opposed to STN, has the circuit transistors placed on the glass at the pixel location instead of the need to scan the pixel location. This results in greatly increasing the response time and allows for very fast refresh rates, which is needed for fast paced games with high refresh rates.
Audio
Thus far we have mentioned how the new N-Gage QD outperforms the N-Gage. However where the QD is lacking is in the audio capabilities. Unlike its predecessor, the QD does not have either a MP3 player or a built-in FM radio. However, QD owners can still purchase music software to install on the console. But the QD doesn't support stereo audio output.
Nokia's reasoning behind stripping down the QD's capabilities was to avoid the premium price tag that the N-Gage had. This was a major discouragement for potential consumers, so the QD's production costs were cut down in order to keep its price competitive. Another reason was that Nokia had attempted to pack in too much. The N-Gage was meant to be a game console. Although including MP3 players and FM radios is great, it was not vital.
The QD can assign either WAV or MIDI files as ring tones making it much more versatile than classic phones, allowing users to record their own voice, or anything from an audio output to play when the phone rings. Additionally an internal speakerphone is present for times of driving.
Messaging
SMS, MMS, and chat are supported. However due to the layout of the keypad, text messaging is more difficult on the one-sided N-Gage QD. Multimedia messaging (MMS) allows users to send messages containing images, text, and sound, as well as play audio, insert multimedia content, and save images as wallpapers.
External email accounts are supported with POP3, IMAP4, SMTP, and MIME2 protocols, allowing users to setup email accounts and check their mail when they're away from the computer.
Limited instant messaging and chat room features are supported through Nokia's N-Gage Arena. The N-Gage Arena is new to the QD, and not previously offered on the N-Gage. It is a software application that comes preinstalled on the game deck to allow users to access to the N-Gage Arena community. Once launched, the application connects via GPRS to allowing members to access chat rooms to communicate with one another.
orks. But there is still has much work ahead to catch up with competitors like the Game Boy SP with a broad range of games.
But the strength of the N-Gage is undoubtedly its multiplayer capabilities. Being built with a wireless phone connection allows users to play other people throughout the world from anywhere they go. That is a very powerful tool makes it outshine its competitors. However, Nokia has not yet utilized this feature to its full potential. Currently there are only a handful of multiplayer capable games out the market.
The N-Gage QD is also built on the Java 2 Platform Micro Edition, or J2ME for short. J2ME is currently the most popular platform for cell phone games on the market. Users will be able to download, install, or remove Java games onto their N-Gage.
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While not comparable to the cartridge games in terms of graphics or gameplay, the J2ME games can be quite entertaining. Currently there are hundreds of J2ME games on the internet. Some are free to download, others require you to pay.
Other useful applications common on most phones are included as well. The QD comes with a calendar feature with monthly, weekly, and daily views. A To-Do list is also included for keeping track of tasks such as shopping lists or tasks to accomplish. Other useful tools include a currency converter, and Dictaphone to dictate text.
Internet
The N-Gage QD comes with WAP 1.2.1 with the ability to render xHTML pages. It also supports GPRS Class B, 3+1, 2+2 for increased bandwidth capabilities over standard CSD networks. This results in faster connection speeds of up to 40.2 kbps, which benefits in multiplayer games.
Storage
The internal N-Gage QD's memory is 3.4 MB. However there are slots for external memory cards. 32, 64, 128, and 256 MB cards can be purchased separately.
Connectivity
The N-Gage QD comes with Bluetooth technology to connect to other N-Gages or N-Gage QDs within a 10m radius. Up to 4 players can connect for multiplayer games. Connecting the N-Gage QD online can also be done through the N-Gage Arena software mentioned earlier. Once connected, access to the N-Gage members can also, download exclusive content, access rankings statistics, participate in events and activities, and more. Existing N-Gage users will be able download the N-Gage Arena launcher from the N-Gage website in May 2004.
The phone also supports all the latest PAN (Personal Area Network) features for sharing information between the N-Gage QD and a PC. SyncML is the common language for synchronizing all devices and applications over any network. With SyncML any personal information, such as email, calendars, to-do lists, contact information and other relevant data, will be consistent, accessible, and up to date, no matter where the information is stored.
However, neither the N-Gage nor the QD contains infrared ports. That makes transferring pictures, ring tones, J2ME games, and synchronization more inconvenient. Users who want to connect to a PC will have to buy a Bluetooth adapter for their computer or the USB data cable accessory.
Conclusion
Nokia has listened to its consumers. Many of the major problems with the original N-Gage are fixed in the new N-Gage QD. Mainly the awkward phone design, difficulty in swapping games, and high price. Small improvements have also been added to include the N-Gage Arena software, and brighter and sharper screen. However, to keep the price competitive, unnecessary features people might have come to love will be missing. Notably the MP3 player, FM radio, and tri-band functionality.
Some will like the new N-Gage QD, while others will prefer the original. Now users have two versions to choose from. The main reason for creating the QD was to make it more competitive with existing portable gaming devices. Understandably, a major concern was the price since competitors are selling their consoles and hundreds less than the original N-Gage retail price of $299. The N-Gage is a gaming deck, and Nokia felt it put too much on the first design that was not necessary.
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Nokia's largest hurdle in the N-Gage QD's success is not with the device itself. It lies within the gaming market. Currently only a few games are available for the N-Gage. While more are in the works, the selection is not nearly as large as the Game Boy SP's. Nokia knows this, and plans on releasing 50 new N-Gage titles on the market by the end of this year, 75 percent of which will offer multiplayer sessions via the N-Gage Arena service.
The QD's release dates for the QD are expected to be next May in Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific (GSM 900 / 1800) and in June for the Americas (GSM 850 / 1900). For the first time, consumers can purchase the N-Gage QD through cell phone carriers at a subsidized price of $99. Otherwise the QD will debut at retail price of $199. |
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