Nokia N-Gage Gray Console

There were two new gadgets that I wanted for the holidays – one being the N-Gage and the other the new Nokia 3300 Music Phone. I was really torn between both of them and after shopping around for the best price, service plan and features – I simply couldn't decide so I ordered them both. Now, that might sound like overkill, especially for someone that hates talking on a cellular phone ... but ... I have a few gadget junkies to shop for this year and figured I could try them out and then pass them on to them if they lived up to the hype surrounding them. I originally picked out the Nokia 3300 for Chris and the N-Gage for my brother but now that I've had them, tried them out and have seen how they perform, I'm switching them around – I love my brother but he is a little on the "electronically challenged" side and would never be able to figure out how to use the N-Gage or make use of all the features. Since he needs a new cellular phone and doesn't currently have an MP3 player, the Nokia 3300 is a better choice for him. When the middle of December rolls around all I have to do is take his old phone and the new Nokia N-Gage to the customer service center and have the service changed over.

The Short Review

N-Gage combines cellular capabilities, Bluetooth technology, video game system, MP3 player, FM stereo with record capabilities, notepad, text messaging and more. For a monthly fee subscribers can play head to head against other N-Gage owners, keep in touch with text messages and emails, download movies, music and more – all with one hand held unit. Priced between $199.99 and $299.99, N-Gage is the bastard child of the Nomad, GameBoy Advance and PSII.

The Long Review

When I first saw the N-Gage I thought it was primarily a phone that had the capability to play games and a few other perks. It wasn't until two friends who work at a local game store started raving about it and urging me to check it out. When I first picked it up and played with it I was really amazed with the graphics of the Tomb Raider game that was in it. Even though I totally bombed at playing it on Playstation and PSII, I was impressed with how easy it was to play on the N-Gage. That doesn't mean I did any better, just that I didn't have a hard time controlling the functions or getting around in the game.

Now that I have had this and had a chance to check it out and see what it's all about I have a confession to make – I'm still not sure if this is a game console or a mobile phone – now wait a minute before you get all flustered – in essence it is both but some people might look at this from different avenues. Those looking for a cellular phone might give it low points for the calling plan and those looking for a game console might hold a grudge due to the limited availability of game cartridges that are available … to make things even more complicated … the accessories and perks that are included with it might actually turn people off. How so you ask? Give someone a 200 page book [ok, in this case, about 140 pages] and tell them that is the instruction manual and they will more than likely pass out, grumble or look for another model to purchase. On the same token, too little perks and people complain that they aren't getting their moneys worth. So where exactly does N-Gage fit into the picture? That all depends on where you are coming from, what you plan on doing with it and how much you are willing to spend on accessories.

Price

This is what everyone wants to know – how much does it cost? Well, this is where doing some research really pays off. The unit costs $299.00 plus shipping [unless you purchase it at a retail location] but there are a few stores that are offering a bundle pack for $199.99. With this package deal you get the N-Gage unit and three games. It is really important to read the different stipulations and conditions before you order one. Some sites are just selling the unit, others are selling just the service plan and some are selling both. 99 time out of 100 you will be strong-armed into purchasing the service contract along with the unit. This covers the cellular portion as well as your ability to connect to web sites to download games, send or receive text messages and download music, movies and more. It is extremely important that you know every single detail of the service contract before you purchase the unit and start the service to the hand held. Some carriers are charging activations fees, extended minute coverage [to add "bonus time" to your account] and early termination fees that are non-negotiable [meaning that they will automatically be billed to your credit card].

Is this worth the price? Again, it all depends on what you are going to be using it for. If you are a casual cell phone user then this would be a great option providing that you feel comfortable with the way the phone is set up [great for hands free users]. If you are a gamer that needs to have the newest system before anyone else, you have to think long and hard about this. Will it be around in a year? What games are available? Do I need a system that allows me to play games online against other people? Dropping $199.00 to $299.00 on a hand held game system isn't a decision that you make in five minutes. Weigh out your options, look at what this has to offer and see if this is the best choice. If you decide to buy, look for the lowest price but don't neglect the fact that you will also have to purchase the service to have the N-Gage activated and take advantage of the cellular phone, text messaging, head to head gaming and other online activities.

Size

The overall size of the unit is comparable to a GameBoy Advance but for those that want the specifics – here they are. The width is five and a third inches, less than an inch thick and almost three inches high. The size is what makes it attractive for those that are looking for a cellular phone with more than the standard games and graphics. The screen is about the size of the GameBoy Advance screen – not the actual screen – but the visual pixilated screen where you see the graphics. To some this will be too small to really get into a game but for me, I liked it and thought the graphics were great. I asked some of the hard core gamers what they thought of the size of it and none really complained about it but a few did mention that getting a feel of the buttons and game play were frustrating. Since I play the GameBoy and GameBoy Advance a lot, the size of the GBA was comparable [to me ay least] and it took less time for me to get used to the somewhat bulky feel.

For me this is a great size but I can easily see this being a Goldilocks syndrome to many people – some will find it too small, others too large and some – just right. Since there aren't a lot of accessories to be had for this unit you should make sure that the size won't hamper your use of it – after all – if you are on the go and taking this with you eventually you will need to store it somewhere. It fits in the palm of your hand, the buttons are all easily reached and it is easy to move around if you are getting a little glare or want some privacy.

If you are going to invest in one of these you should look for the accessories at the same time. A good solid case with a soft lining will help preserve it and keep it from getting damaged. You can go with one of the official products or shop around for the "knock offs" to save some cash. If there is one accessory they need to come up with it has to be a hard clamshell type cover for the face of the N-Gage, something that will prevent the buttons from being pushed accidentally or the screen getting scratched. Right now the accessories for the N-Gage are limited but I am sure that if the system takes off and gains popularity more companies will start making their own versions of cases, headphones and protective skins.

Cellular Features

When you start going through the cellular features you may or may not be impressed with what you find. Since I have had several phones over the past few years but don't consider myself a cellular junkie, most of them have been basic tri-band phones with text messaging. For me this was a two hour event, scrolling through all the options, features and commands and figuring out most of the tasks on a trial and error basis. The buttons required to access the cellular functions are clearly labeled and easy to press but it does take a while to get used to where they are located and exactly which one to press to access the calendar, phone book, notes and storage areas. Even after all this playing around I still couldn't find a way to just pick it up, dial a number and talk into it – hence the necessity of a hands free headset. If there is a way to talk into this thing, someone needs to slap a "Stupid" sign on my back because I sure as hell couldn't find it. The hands free headset comes with the N-Gage if you purchase a package deal however some online merchants are selling this as a stand alone unit with just the N-Gage and cellular activation. This won't be the first time I have said it and it won't be the last – know which package N-Gage you are purchasing so when you receive it or pick it up at a local store you will be able to get started without having to place another order or making another trip to the store.

The service level you receive with this varies from provider to provider. This is, as I will say through out the entire review, where it is important to read and know the type of contract you are entering in to, what you get with the cellular plan, how minutes are calculated, if you can import your old cellular telephone number [some States allow this, others do not], what actions deplete the stored time on the phone …. etc etc etc. The phone has several cool features like call waiting, caller ID and three way calling but that doesn't mean that you will be able to use them. Why not? Because that is up to the company that is providing the cellular service to you – some give it with the package and others charge [like local telephone rapists, I mean companies] for each individual service. If you sign up and receive the blanket 80 minute plan that most are offering for $20.00 - $25.99 ask if you have the option to chance it [reduce or increase the minutes] in the future or if you are locked in to this for a set period of time.

Bluetooth Technology

Proving just how lame I am, I was clueless what the whole Bluetooth revolution was all about. After consulting with the game geeks and the guys at the video game stores around town I got a great primer as to what the whole "Bluetooth thing" is all about – whether or not I am right is still questionable. My take on it is that it's a lot like the mMode service – offering people a wireless way to communicate with others both in the office and on the road. The N-Gage takes advantage of this technology to link users up to play head to head games, access computers and more. I'll be totally honest here – this stuff goes completely over my head. WAP? What the hell is it any why do I need it? The best I can come up with is "wireless application protocol" – which to me is the same thing as mMode. If I am wrong please tell me so I can start to remove the foot from my mouth. The N-Gage is WAP enabled but – again, here is where the honesty comes in to play – I have no idea if I ever used it. When I called customer service about it I got a four minute explanation of it, how it works and why it is the greatest thing since sliced bread – but I was still no closer to understanding it or how it fit into the N-Gage. So am I wrong to assume that Bluetooth is nothing more than a hand held, user friendly way of communicating? From all the reading I have done – that's what it seems like to me – the backbone that supports mMode.

MP3 Mode

This is one part of the unit that I was totally clueless about and had to turn to Mark and Mike for some information. I thought you just take the unit, plug it into the computer and upload songs – well – essentially that is what you do but you need to have a memory card for the music. I haven't used this feature yet but the guys tell me that it is a great way to carry a couple of songs around or to swap with other people by switching cards. Since I am almost a certified moron when it comes to MP3 players [the D-Link BMP-110 I purchased has been used but not successfully] this probably isn't something that will be used often on my end but the boys or Chris might find it a handy alternative to toting around compact discs. IN order to make the full use of the music recording capability you will need to purchase an MMC [multi media card]. When I checked the prices on these they ranged from $30.00 to $60.00 depending on the memory size of the card.

Games

There are only a handful of games currently available for this system and only time will tell if more will be added. Thanks to Mark and Mike at Gamer X I had the chance to check out the games that they own and was pretty impressed with the graphics, sound and game play but only got to try them out for about two days before I returned them. When I purchased the game I ordered Super Monkey Ball and Tomb Raider for about $30.00 dollars each. From what I cam see, most of the online stores that are carrying the game cards require that you already own a unit – which makes so sense. If you purchase a unit from one store but want to get games from another – how are they to know? There are also games, movie previews and trailers, promotional spots and more than can be downloaded or accessed unit the N-Gage. Some of these are free to users who have the service plan and others cost a small fee, again, this is where it is important to know what you are getting yourself in to before you commit to a purchase of either the unit, the service plan or any of the accessories.

Swapping out the games is a chore, unlike the GameBoy and GameBoy Advance, you can't just pop a cartridge in and out. No, you have to remove the back and pop it out – something that might prove impossible to those who are not exactly skilled at working with small elements. The cartridges are small, about the size of a postage stamp; this means there is a great possibility that they could get lost or damaged when they are removed from the game to add a memory card. So far I haven't seen any N-Gage specific game cases for these so I have been storing them in the InterAct Game Guard Cases that I purchased for the GameBoy and GBA games. Sure they rattle around a lot and make a lot of noise but at least I know they are protected from dust, dirt, lint and the various animals that share our house.

mMode

This seems to be one of the biggest perks of the N-Gage but at the same time, one of the most frustrating to use for people who aren't familiar with the mMode method of messaging. Seeing as how I ma a complete moron when it comes to most things electronic, I had to spend a lot of time learning about mMode and exactly what it was. My take? It's like the internet only a lite version of it. Instead of having a full sized browser to work with you have a streamlined screen with easy to use functions. Of course, it doesn't start out easy to use, you have to set up almost all of the commands and select which email or messaging service you want to use, web sites you want to set up as "instant access" prompts, get games, set up your ring tones and more. Some of these features are included with the monthly service fee and others, like games and ring tones, cost an additional fee billed to a credit card or added to your account to be paid with the next month's service payment.

Depending on where you purchase your phone and which plan you choose, your mMode options will vary. Some give you the base plan for free but allow you to upgrade at any time while others offer you a lot of perks and free accessories but lock you in to a two year agreement where you can not change the mMode plan. When I first got this I thought that the mMode features worked off the cellular minutes however it is a completely different set up. Your "time" for mMode use is accrued based on how much you use it and how much information you send and receive. When selecting a provider read about the amount of information / kilobytes you get with the plan, what the fees are if you go over the limit and which on would be best for you. Make sure that there is a little flexibility in the plan so if you need to upgrade to a higher service level for mMode you can without getting raked over the coals.

To make the most of your mMode service, try doing most of the set up and maintenance work from your computer if your service provider offers this type of gateway. This way you will cut down on the amount of information that is transferred back and forth and will eliminate wasted charges for mistakes or errors. This is something that I just recently learned about and love the fact that I can access my mMode account online – from the computer – instead of having to do it on the N-Gage. This is something that you should ask about when signing up for service – it is a great way to cut down on monthly charges and organize things exactly the way you want them.

Battery

The battery that comes with this unit is the BL-5C Li-Ion. When I first saw this unit and started asking Mark and Mike about it I wanted to know about the battery, how long it would last and how much it would cost to replace. I knew the if I purchased this it would either get a tremendous amount of use or sit around and collect dust. If it turned out that it was something that was going to be used a lot, I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't have to sell off an internal organ to get a replacement battery. When I looked online there were a tons of sites selling the battery and the prices ranged from $25.00 - $35.00 [not including shipping] which I felt was a good deal on something with a $300.00 price tag. The battery completely charges in about two hours and, just like cellular phones, it's best to let it completely deplete its power supply before recharging it. Depending on what you are using this for the actual life of the charge will vary. You will get the most from it when using it for music or cellular functions and game play eats up the most. You can charge and play at the same time but it will take longer for it to charge that way.

My Thoughts

Now that I have had this and have had the chance to play with it and check it out I can say that this is a great hand held unit. I'd highly recommend this for anyone that commutes to and from work, likes to play games online, needs to have an easy way to access email and wants the ability to play full length games. The cost of the unit is the one thing that is really holding it back from taking off and gaining popularity. When the Playstation II came out I was ready to fall off my chair at the price but eventually I caved in and purchased one – there was a slight sting when I picked up the N-Gage but after seeing all that it is capable of I know that I got my moneys worth and I know Chris will love it when the holidays arrive.

Some things to remember:

= Check the pricing plans for mMode before you make a purchase and sign a contract for cellular and mMode service.

= Read the specifics of what you are getting with the N-Gage. Some vendors and stores are offering rebates, free games, accessories and a free three month subscription to mMode.

= Make sure that this is something that you will be able to make good use of. If you are just looking for a game deck or cellular phone – you might be better off going with other models.

= If insurance is offered when you purchase this unit, make sure you take it. Some carriers and local vendors will offer you a replacement if it is lost or stolen [police report will be necessary].

So far I am really enjoying the N-Gage and hope that it catches on in the near future. While the price might initially scare you off, in my opinion you do get your moneys worth, a lot of perks and mMode capabilities. I know Chris will use this a lot more than his current phone that has several games, text messaging and a few other features but with this he'll be able to play games, kill time at work [like he ever has any free time] and chat via AOL Instant Message or Yahoo! Messenger. All in all this is a great hand held unit that offers more than just game play and cellular functions. Who knows, I might just end up buying him a new unit and keeping this one for myself!




As always, thanks for the read!

~^V^~ Freak ~^V^~

© 2003 Freak369


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