N-Gage
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The forgotten losers of the console wars
History is written by the victors, but for all those generations of console wars we've managed to weather through, what about the other guys? Opening this week, a new games museum in southern Japan houses 56 different consoles of varying fame (or infamy). For every NES/Famicom, there are curiosities like the huge "Pocket Home PC," failing on the very definition of its name. Remember the Sega Game 1000? We didn't, but we should probably cut these (mostly) beige consoles some slack. While most of the devices toured here weren't a commercial success, each helped gently push gaming toward its current state -- if only by firmly demonstrating what we didn't want. And yeah, we wish the Dreamcast was still around too. Here's to the games consoles we've loved and lost over the last 40 years.
Pioneer debuts N-30 and N-50 networked audio players: AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 and smartphone apps on tap
Willing to spare no expense to meet your streaming music demands? Then you now have two more fairly high-end systems from Pioneer to consider. The company has just released its new N-30 and N-50 networked audio players, which each boast support for AirPlay and DLNA 1.5, as well as the ability to handle top-end digital audio like 192kHz/24-Bit FLAC and WAV files. You'll also get a 2.5-inch LCD up front and control apps for both iOS and Android devices, although you'll have to shell out a bit more for some optional adapters if you want WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity. The N-50 model (pictured above) also steps things up with gold-plated RCA jacks and an "armored chassis" designed to reduce noise, plus support for additional audio features like Advanced Sound Retriever and Sound Retriever AIR (which promise to enhance compressed audio files). Look for it to set you back $699, with the lower-end N-30 model running $499. Some additional details can be found in the press release after the break.
Keepin' it real fake: Nckia's N-Gage knockoff harkens back to a simpler, side-talkin' era
Imagine a world where Nokia's N-Gage is the mobile platform of choice -- there's no iOS, no Android, and Nintendo's 3D ventures ended mercifully with the Virtual Boy. It's a world where the Nckia NG belongs. In our universe, a knockoff of the stillborn Nokia 7700 doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense, even with a MicroSD slot and added buttons for dialing. And then there's the fact that the handset runs a JAVA OS that doesn't exactly offer a bounty of mobile gaming choices -- which was sort of the whole point of the N-Gage. As for other familiar features, we can't be sure that this will be the rebirth of side-talkin', but with what could be a speaker slot on the side, we've got our fingers crossed. No word on pricing, but if you're truly nostalgic for a time that never was, you can pick one up from Huaqiangbei in Shenzhen. Get a closer look after the break.
Report: Nintendo and Nokia once engaged in planning a console together
[Goteking] Pocket Gamer reports that a "development source" told the site that Nintendo and Nokia worked on a "skunkworks" phone project in the early 2000s. The two companies collaborated on R&D for a proposed phone-console hybrid, before the release of the N-Gage, and while Nintendo was apparently doing early research for the DS. The project was ongoing until it was shown to the Nintendo board of directors, who rejected it. "You have to remember Nintendo is a very conservative company," the anonymous developer told Pocket Gamer. "It always has various R&D projects on the go, but most of them are eventually rejected. It's just how it operates." Conservative, maybe, but to even consider supplementing or supplanting the Game Boy line with a cell phone back then is a bit out there. Consider Sony Ericsson, who are reportedly working on a PlayStation phone this year. In any case, if the research went on to inform Nokia's development of the N-Gage, it would seem Nintendo made the right call in just making the DS instead.
Nokia announces the death of the N-Gage
This is going to come as a huge shock to you, but Nokia has announced that it's no longer supporting the N-Gage platform. It's just -- we never expected something like this to happen, to tell you the truth. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like the N-Gage would be around forever, a platform thriving in the portable space like no device has before it. Look at the iPhone, the DS, the PSP and even the fallen Gizmondo and it's quite apparent the N-Gage has always been the platform to beat. Even though Nokia will halt all support for the N-Gage, it's still going to roll up all of its games into the Ovi Store, where N-Gage users will be able to access the content until September 2010. Just, uh, don't expect any new games over the next year, as Nokia will not be publishing anything for the device from here on out and any games that use community features will have those features disabled come September 2010. Anything you purchased is yours to keep, of course. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to pour one out for the bounty of amazing games that we'll no longer get to play. [Via Engadget]
Nokia announces the end of its N-Gage gaming platform
Nokia has officially announced that it will put an end to its problem-plagued N-Gage gaming service, integrating it into its Ovi Store. The move isn't really a shocker, and while Nokia has confirmed that no further games will be published, it's also said that it will continue to sell currently available games in the Ovi Store (as of today) until the end of September 2010. The N-Gage website, which holds the Arena and community boards, will also continue until that time. Nokia says that any already purchased games will continue to run on the mobile device, but that any connected community features will be non-functional come 2010. [Via Pocket Lint]
Nokia announces the end of its N-Gage gaming service
Nokia has officially announced that it will put an end to its problem-plagued N-Gage gaming service, integrating it into its Ovi Store. The move isn't really a shocker, and while Nokia has confirmed that no further games will be published, it's also said that it will continue to sell currently available games in the Ovi Store (as of today) until the end of September 2010. The N-Gage website, which holds the Arena and community boards, will also continue until that time. Nokia says that any already purchased games will continue to run on the mobile device, but that any connected community features will be non-functional come 2010. [Via Pocket Lint]
Screen Grabs: Nokia N96 preserves the evidence on Dexter
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. No this isn't the first Nokia-wielding fictional character or celeb that we've seen in this space, but the N96 recently spotted in the hands of our favorite psychopath has us wondering: would Dexter Morgan try N-Gage? And wouldn't he prefer something with a QWERTY keyboard? Come to think of it, we always thought of him as a BlackBerry guy. Then again, times are tough, and as a new father he has to make... sacrifices.Update: We originally identified this one as the N81. Thanks to all you raving Nokia fanatics who pointed out the error. %Gallery-76127%
Nokia shutters Vancouver-based N-Gage Design Studio
It's probably a bit premature to sound the death knell for Nokia's current generation of the N-Gage platform, but it certainly doesn't bode well that they've wound down operations at the Vancouver, British Columbia-based studio responsible for many games stretching back to N-Gage's origins. At this point, it could simply mean that Nokia no longer wishes to be tied up in the hard-knock world of game development, admitting that other operations like EA are probably better off fighting that fight -- but ultimately, with the Ovi Store calling into question N-Gage's very reason for being, this could be the beginning of yet another fundamental shift in Espoo's gaming strategy. Time will tell, but in the meantime, there are 100 Nokia staffers up in Canada whose reassignments to other posts remain to be settled.[Via Joystiq]
Nokia closes up N-Gage dev studio
When you're writing your first post about a gaming platform in nine months, it's very rarely good news. For example, all it's taken for the N-Gage to get back on Joystiq's front page is the closure of Nokia's N-Gage development studio, which occurred on June 30. The group was responsible for porting major franchises to the system like Call of Duty, Tiger Woods and Tony Hawk.The fate of the 100 or so employees at the Vancouver studio isn't clear at the moment, but we heard about some jobs opening up in their land -- if they don't mind traveling 4,374 km to get them.
Sony investigating PSP phone?
As recently as May Sony has itself stated that a PSP phone "could happen," and now a report from Nikkei business daily states that Sony is planning on putting together a team as early as next month to build product that would act as a combination of a PSP and a Sony Ericsson handset. It makes plenty of sense, both as a differentiation from Nintendo and as a confrontation of the looming iPhone threat -- and hey, it might also act as a decent salve over the lukewarm reception of the pricey PSPgo. Unfortunately, if Sony is just about to get started on this, we likely wouldn't be looking at any resulting product for a while to come. Sony declined comment according to Reuters, which doesn't mean a whole lot, but it's worth keeping in mind that we've been hearing this sort of rumoring since back when the N-Gage (as a product) was still almost relevant.[Via Mac Rumors]
Nokia N97, N86 8MP, E52 all get N-Gage compatibility
Quick, what's easier to find: an E52 or a game that'll run on it? You'd think this is an egregious case of putting the cart before the horse, but you've got to give the N-Gage team credit for being well-prepared -- they're already listing Nokia's new mega-thin business candybar as being compatible with the service. Also on board is the just-released (and still hard to find in many parts of the world) N86 8MP and -- perhaps most notably -- the N97, making the beastly handset Nokia's first S60 5th Edition phone with N-Gage support. How's the experience sans keys? Let us know your thoughts in comments.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
N-Gage trials make the leap to the Ovi Store
Nokia's Ovi Store duplicates one of N-Gage's main lots in life -- to serve as an over-the-air distribution channel of paid and trial apps -- and in the long term, it certainly seems to make sense that Espoo would be looking to merge the two initiatives into one. The company hasn't announced anything to the effect just yet (and even if it did, it'd have to find some creative way to duplicate N-Gage's social aspect), but it's now taken one small step by porting game trials over to the Ovi Store. If you want the full game you'll still need to buy it using the N-Gage app, so the maddening duality of Nokia's software strategy still basically continues as-is for the time being -- let's just hope this is a promising sign of things to come.[Via Phone Arena and ZOMG its CJ]
UK chart get: Wii Fit still on top, FIFA 09 takes 2nd spot
Wii Fit has been selling extremely well, taking the top spot for the seventh week in a row, Chart-Track data shows. In fact, a record of nine weeks in a row was set by Who Wants to be a Millionaire (no platforms mentioned), and Nintendo's Balance Board bundle is on pace to tie that record should it frequent the top spot for the next two weeks. Unsurprisingly, soccer football game FIFA 09 managed to take the second spot, pushing last week's second place holder, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, down to third. Interesting to note is the inclusion of Battlestations: Pacific on the list. The game only released in the UK last week for Xbox 360 and PC, and managed to win the battle for last place, taking up the tenth spot.
Nokia says N73, N93 and N93i won't be N-Gage compatible
Tough news for N73, N93 and N93i owners -- a respected N-Gage Arena Forum moderator has just stepped forward to let the world know that the aforesaid phones will not be N-Gage compatible. For folks who've moved on to newer, more powerful handsets, we're sure this tidbit means nothing; for those who've held tight to prior promises to bring the N-Gage experience to this trio, it's far more detrimental. We're told that Nokia tried for months on end to make it all work, but in the end they simply weren't satisfied with the experience on these aged devices. No need to tear up though, it's just the perfect excuse to line up for that N97 you've been eying.[Via All About Symbian]
Trophies: FIFA 09
1 Platinum 2 Gold 17 Silver 27 Bronze Difficulty: Moderate Online Trophies? Yes Time to Completion: 100 hours DLC Trophies? Yes* *Trophies requiring DLC are highlighted in yellow. View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-26544%
Europe loves its FIFA 09, 1.25 million games logged daily
According to EA-supplied FIFA 09 statistics, gamers around the globe (see: Europe) have averaged 1.25 million online games per day since its release this past Fall. Selling 7.8 million copies in 2008 probably factors into that number somewhat. The statistical goods keep coming, with EA revealing that FIFA 09 is EA Sports' most successful online game, boasting a 321% increase over its FIFA predecessor in daily games played, and seeing 141 million games logged on all platforms since launch. That's a lot of gamers taking to the field to bend it like Beckham.
Engadget's NYC reader meetup / holiday party is tonight!
This is it! The Engadget reader meetup / holiday party is happening tonight in New York City! All of the information you need is below, but we'd like to stress a few points: The venue capacity has a limit, so make sure you get there early, and plan to wait in a bit of a line. It is snowing like crazy in New York -- so please bundle up and come prepared for the elements! We'll do everything we can to move people inside as quickly as possible, and there's a coat check at the venue for your heavier gear. Bring your ID! Without it, you can't get in! And the rest of the details about the event: We're giving away tens of thousands of dollars in gear! Including... SanDisk 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB microSD cards for the first 200 people through the door! Free food, and free drink tickets for the first 500 people Live Q&A session with Engadget editors Music for the evening will be provided by Justin VanDerVolgen (of !!! and Outhud) The event is 18 TO ENTER / 21 TO DRINK, AND YOU MUST BRING AN ID. ADMISSION IS FREE. Sorry younger readers, but we'll do a follow-up all ages event soon! The venue capacity tops out at a tiny bit over 1000, so you if you're coming, be sure to get there early! When: Friday, December 19th, 7:00PM to 12:00AMWhere: Hiro Ballroom, 371 W. 16th St., New York, NY. 10011You can discuss plans for the event on Facebook here. View Larger Map For media interested in attending, please ping us at: nycreadermeetup [at] gmail [dot] comNote: space for media is very limited as this is a reader event. Readers, you're all set -- no need to email us.
Engadget NYC reader meetup, December 19th: new giveaways, more info
By now you should have heard about the Engadget NYC reader meetup / holiday party taking place TOMORROW, Friday, December 19th. If you're not clued in to all the happenings, this should bring you up to speed. We'll have participation (and giveaways) from the following companies: Nokia, Microsoft (Zune and Xbox), T-Mobile, Palm, HP, SanDisk, Peek, VIA, Sling, Bug Labs, Neat Receipts, Panasonic, Livescribe, Rhapsody, and Make.Some new additions (to the already large stack of items): VIA has just handed over an Artigo A2000, Peek is going to be flooding the event with a whopping 12 handhelds to give out (celebrating its 12 days of Peekmas), Bug Labs is offering a BUGBundle, and Livescribe has provided us with a Pulse (courtesy of Target)! And remember, those are just a few of the goods on offer.Remember, feel free to bring any hacks, mods, or other generally awesome tech you want to show off to us and other Engadget readers -- you don't get the chance too often!Here are some super-important details about the event: We're giving away tens of thousands of dollars in gear! Including... SanDisk 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB microSD cards for the first 200 people through the door! Free food, and free drink tickets for the first 500 people Live Q&A session with Engadget editors Music for the evening will be provided by Justin VanDerVolgen (of !!! and Outhud) The event is 18 TO ENTER / 21 TO DRINK, AND YOU MUST BRING AN ID. ADMISSION IS FREE. Sorry younger readers, but we'll do a follow-up all ages event soon! The venue capacity tops out at a tiny bit over 1000, so you if you're coming, be sure to get there early! When: Friday, December 19th, 7:00PM to 12:00AMWhere: Hiro Ballroom, 371 W. 16th St., New York, NY. 10011You can discuss plans for the event on Facebook here. View Larger Map For media interested in attending, please ping us at: nycreadermeetup [at] gmail [dot] comNote: space for media is very limited as this is a reader event. Readers, you're all set -- no need to email us.
Reader meetup update: 'Fallout 3' bundles, Nokia N-Gage / Ovi, Make, and more!
Say there, perhaps you've heard about that little Engadget NYC reader meetup / holiday party happening on December 19th? Well we've got a little more info for you (and some important details) that might be of note. First we wanted to show off some of the stuff we're going to be giving away, and we thought there would be no better illustration than these amazing Fallout 3 "Nuclear Winter Survival Kit" bundles from Microsoft (pictured above). Some details:PC bundle Alienware Area 51 m15x laptop Fallout 3 Collector's Edition (PC) Fallout 3 Token (redeemable for Operation: Anchorage premium downloadable content in January '09) SideWinder mouse Wenger Impulse Notebook Case by SwissGear Emergency blanket Xbox 360 bundle Xbox 360 Elite console Fallout 3 Collector's Edition (Xbox 360) Fallout 3 Token (redeemable for Operation: Anchorage premium downloadable content in January '09) 1-yr Xbox LIVE Gold Subscription Emergency blanket These are just two of many, many succulent giveaways you could walk away with if you attend. Nokia has also graciously offered up some free N-Gage content. If you're an N-Gage user, you can bring your device to the meetup and they'll hook you up with a free game! The company is also outfitting a handful of readers with Ovi-equipped devices during the event so they can stream live content. Five (5) readers will be selected -- if you'd like to be one of the chosen few, leave a comment on this post, and we'll contact you with more info!Additionally, our main homeboys from Make are going to be in attendance with some projects and magazines, as well as a pretty cool surprise to show off that we're awfully excited about.Just added: LIvescribe will be giving away a Pulse (courtesy of Target), Palm is handing out a Treo Pro, and Neat Receipts has graciously offered up 3 Neat Desks!Read on after the break for more details about the meetup!
