Nokia puts the accent on multimedia entertainment

 

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Posted on 3 Nov 2005 at 11:12

Mobile phone giant has introduced three new models to its 'N' series range that offer additional features and bring the mobile phone another step nearer to being a portable entertainment system.

Based on S60 3rd Edition and the Symbian OS, the N71 can supply digital music, videos and stereo FM radio. In addition to a 5-band equalizer, the Nokia N71 has a slot for a miniSD card of up to 2GB, which can store up to 1500 songs. Users can transfer music from a compatible PC by dragging and dropping onto the Nokia N71 via a USB 2.0 connection.

Nokia says the N71 will appear in the first quarter of 2006 with an estimated, unsubsidised price of around 400 euros.

Even more advanced, the N80 can be used to connect into a home network and access connected devices such as PCs, TVs and audio equipment. Nokia says that images and video stored on the Nokia N80 or a compatible PC can be viewed wirelessly on the living room TV, while listening to music stored on the device through the living room audio system.

Although Nokia is billing the N series as 'multimedia computers', it is also a phone. The N80 is the first quadband handset that can work on 3G (WCDMA 1900 or 2100), WLAN, EDGE and four GSM bands (850/900/1800/1900), enabling broadband access from virtually anywhere in the world. The N80 will cost around €500.

Finally, the N92 (pictured) has four different modes. A 'view' mode is especially designed for watching TV and video. To start watching mobile TV, users simply need to open the Nokia N92 in view mode and press the Multimedia key. An Electronic Service Guide (ESG) contains information about the available TV channels, programs and services while other mobile TV features include watching time of up to four hours, recording and 30 seconds replay.

To optimise the viewing experience Nokia has included a 2.8" anti-glare QVGA screen supporting 16 million colours and dedicated media keys. Being a phone, Nokia have also made it easier to perform important functions on the TV enabled handset like voting for Pop Idol. The N92 will cost approximately €600.

Author: Steve Malone