It’s almost January 1st, 2010 and we’ve been mulling over our favorites of 2009 – and the previous decade. Here we present another installment of our “TenYears” list. We already did the biggest losers in the tech industry but why not talk about the biggest product flops? Here are a few of the biggest failures of the decade, starting with one monster release from a fairly well-known company. → Read More
If you’re part of the overlapping pool of people who like both Nokia’s N-Gage platform AND the mobile offerings from Electronic Arts, then here’s what to expect over the next year or so. EA has announced a handful of N-Gage games to be available for the holidays, along with a few more over the next 12 months. For the holidays: FIFA 09, Spore Origins, Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition. For 2009: Boom Blox, Need For Speed Undercover, Tomb Raider Underworld, Pandemonium, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, The Sims 3. → Read More
Yesterday we reported that games purchased via Nokia’s N-Gage platform weren’t transferable to new devices. The Internet was outraged! Today, however, Nokia has responded with refreshing speed and Madeleine Albright-like diplomacy, stating that it will fix this problem once and for all. Nokia’s Conversations blog states the following: We’ve dug in deeper and we’ve been told a fix is in the works for the recent N-Gage games transfer situation. This is excellent news and although initially it looks like it may need to be serviced through Nokia Care (as an interim solution), there is a longer-term fix in the works… …We don’t have any timeline for the fix, but the games guys are aware how big an issue this is and doing their best to solve it. So you see that the squeaky wheel of the Internet does, indeed, get the greasing. via BGR → Read More
N-Gage fan web site All About N-Gage is reporting that games purchased through Nokia’s gaming service are locked to one particular phone and can’t be transferred to a new device should you lose or break your old one. The process for purchasing a game involves downloading a feature-limited demo and then paying to unlock the game with an activation code. That code is tied to the IMEI number of the phone on which it was purchased. If the phone gets lost, stolen, or breaks, it can’t be transferred to a replacement device. You would think that you’d be able to call up Nokia customer care and have the games you’ve purchased manually authorized to work on a new device, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. According to All About N-Gage… “Nokia’s customer care department told us that they can only transfer games if a phone is replaced at a repair centre under the terms of its guarantee. Nokia will not transfer games simply because you’ve bought a new phone. We wondered if Nokia’s customer services team was mistaken, but we have now had this confirmed by representatives of Nokia at a higher level: N-Gage games cannot be transferred. Nokia’s official stated policy is that N-Gage activation codes should only work on the device where they were first activated, because they feel this is an important way to combat digital piracy and ensure that their partners are not losing out on sales.” The N-Gage platform has had a hard time catching on with mainstream audiences, although it does have a rather loyal fan base in its own right. This new development will likely have the tendency to turn would-be N-Gage converts off and alienate Nokia’s existing customer base. via BBC NEWS → Read More
Straight from Espoo, Finland (loosely translated from Spanish to English as It’s Poo, Finland!) comes “the global launch of the Nokia N-Gage mobile games service with more games, additional compatible devices, and an expanded online offering.” Nokia handset and device owners will be able to browse, demo, and purchase games directly and can whoop it up with other N-Gage users via the N-Gage Arena community. The first games to become available (there are only six) include… → Read More
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never played any of the titles from the “Worms” series but I’ve heard good things and my cousin John used to get all riled up about the games when we were younger. Nokia’s just officially announced that Worms World Party will be available on the new N-Gage platform, just like it was on the old N-Gage platform. You’ll be able to play online against three other players via the N-Gage Arena service, which will include matchmaking features, a leaderboard, and friends lists. It’ll be available in the “first half of 2008.” → Read More
It’s no secret that the first N-Gage was pretty weak. The follow-up, I’ve heard, is actually pretty nice and has a few decent games, but probably lacks the following necessary to make it a viable market for serious developers. An N-Gage-exclusive release would be developer suicide. But Nokia has faith in the mobile platform, and is focusing on getting content for its handheld hybrid. If anybody in the mobile world has the clout, it’s probably them, but I’m not sure that their proprietary social network is a good idea when Myspace and Facebook have perfectly workable mobile solutions. In any case, as one of the sole content providers in this zone, they’re probably going to print money no matter what. Nokia starts roll-out of gaming, networking sites [Reuters] → Read More
One week after promising us that N-Gage First Access would be available [this week], Nokia went ahead and delayed it. The improved N-Gage, which is now a service for the N81 rather than a stand-along cellphone, has now been delayed till 2008 in order to work ensure that it works “smoothly.” An exact date hasn’t been released, but you can bet that Nokia just ruined dozens of people’s Christmas. Crippling cynicism aside, this is unwelcome news. (Big words, I know.) I embrace any way I can distract myself while aboard the horrifyingly depressing 7 train here in New York, so I was sorta looking forward to trying out the new N-Gage during my winter break. Hopefully the delay isn’t too substantial. New Update for N-Gage First Access [N-Gage Blog via Next Gen] → Read More
Way to destroy our hopes for a usable gaming system for Nokia phones that will never be as good as standalone consoles like the DS or PSP and will be considered an afterthought by all but the most dedicated gamers and game manufacturers! Nokia announced that it would roll out its new N-Gage platform on the N81 and N81 8GB and offer “one or more games.” As one poster responded: What about N70 and N80 cellphones? N80 can join new n-gage platform? Don’t cut our hopes!! Support old Nokia telephone because Iphone arrives and eat all!!! Exactly, Nokia. iPhone arrives and eat all!!! Get Ready for N-Gage First Access [N-Gage] → Read More
She had man hands… Nokia’s N81 and 8GB N81 "multimedia computers" are now available globally, according to a recent press release by the Finnish mobile device manufacturer. → Read More
Nicholas already filled you in on the haps with the N-Gage, but he forgot to mention that Capcom is developing games for the Finnish handheld. So you better dig up that N-Gage from the bottom of your desk drawer because you know Street Fighter and Mega man are going to kick much ass. Press Release → Read More
Boy oh boy did the N-Gage suck. (Sidetalking, anyone?) But Nokia is bringing it back this week, much to the excitement of… um, anyone? Yeah, is anyone excited that N-Gage is coming back? It’s different this time, though. → Read More
When was the last time you saw anyone with a Nokia N-Gage? I’m pretty sure the last time I saw one was in 2003 at the Cingular AT&T store. I actually forgot they even existed until about 15 minutes ago when I saw this. The N-Gage platform will be getting a whole new set of games from I-play starting this fall with WRC (World Rally Championship) and Super Mah Jong. The games from I-play will focus on things that are easy to play, but hard to master. Mainly targeted towards the ‘one-thumb’ demographic, I-play is sure to boost the sales of N-Gages by two. Maybe I’ll see someone with something other than a PSP. Press Release → Read More
Some gadgets are good-looking — chances are the look of your cell phone was a major concern when you went shopping. Then again, some gadgets are ugly. Very, very ugly. We’ve found the ugliest gadgets ever made, so you don’t have to. Some you’ve likely seen before, others you thankfully haven’t. Just believe us: You’ll never take your iPod for granted again. → Read More
Nokia, bless your heart. We like that you make fairly stylish and sophisticated cellphones that are easy to use and have some power to them. We also like what you’re doing with Symbian, especialy S60. But, c’mon, the N-Gage? Still? We give you credit for dumping the idea of a game-optimized device, sure. Your idea for making N-Gage a game platform that sits atop your N-series phones is a good one. That way, no matter which N-series phone you have, you can have your choice of games. But are you going to go for high-end graphics and music? Do you think in the world of the Nintendo DS and PSP that people want more than Solitaire on their phone? Apparently so, as you’ve got plans to announce your platform at the GDC meeting in Madrid next week. That’s the word on the street, anyway. If you do, well, we’re not sure what to think. But good luck, Nokia. Your vision is grand, and we hope you can pull it off, nothing would make us prouder than seeing Tony Hawk again on our S60 phone. N-Gage to debut at GDC – Nokia rules out optimised device [Mobile Entertainment] → Read More
