Device Arena

N-Gage, a name for a game phone that was once launched… It did not become a success. After the name had been stuffed away in the closet for some years, Nokia now brings the name back on the market. Not as a phone in this case, but as a game platform. A platform on which you can try, buy, download and play games. Not only on a specific game phone but on every future N-series device of the Finnish brand. The first device that is equipped with the N-Gage platform is the Nokia N81 which we subjected to an expanded test.

Box Nokia N81

Unboxing
Searching for a phone could be one of the best activities existing. If you order it from the internet, comparing phones, not only on the area of specifications but also on the area of price, is part of the foreplay that you can enjoy when you are going to buy a new phone. If you buy the phone in a shop, you cannot wait to get home and unpack the device, if you order it at the internet you cannot wait for the mailman to stop by with your package.

Nokia seemed to have taken this feeling into account. Nokia designs her boxes more and more often in a way that when the package is opened, the device is directly in the spotlights. This is also the case with the Nokia N81.

Contents package

When we unbox the package of the Nokia N81 further, we come across a data cable with CD-rom (for synchronization with the PC), a stereo headset with a remote control, a Nokia BP-6MT battery and the charger besides the standard manuals in different languages. In our review we tested the Nokia N81 8GB, but when you purchase the cheaper Nokia N81 the package also contains a 2 gigabyte MicroSD memorycard.

Placing simcard

Getting started with the Nokia N81 is very easy. The cover at tge back of the device can be removed easily, the simcard is pushed into the phone on top of some kind of sleigh, after which the battery of the device can be placed. From the factory, the Nokia N81 has already received a good dose of power so the only thing you have to do is find the power button.

Top Nokia N81

Round-up Nokia N81
At the top of the device we find the on / off button, something that is standard on almost every Nokia phone. In the middle of the top we find the 3.5 mm port for a headset or headphone and at the left side Nokia placed an inconspicuous slide panel. With this panel, the keys are easily locked or unlocked without having to type the well-known character combination.

Left side Nokia N81

The left side of the Nokia N81 can almost be described as “boring”. It becomes less boring when you know what is hidden underneath the little grate. At the left side one of the two speakers is namely placed and together with the speaker at the right side of the phone a true stereo sound comes free.

Right side Nokia N81

In the first place, the right side has the second speaker with large volume keys underneath. That the keys are somewhat large will not disturb anyone and the size fits the design of the device perfectly. Totally at the bottom of the right side we find the camera key that operates the “shutter” of the camera.

Bottom Nokia N81

At the bottom of the Nokia N81 we encounter two ports. One mini USB port for communication and synchronization with the computer and left of this port the port for the charger is placed.

Back Nokia N81

The back of the Nokia N81 looks tight and smooth. Clearly visible is that the device belongs to the N-Series. The only disturbance in the back is caused by the 2 megapixel camera, which decorates the back of the device as a wrinkle in the water. Above the camera, a bright and fierce LED light is placed for enlightening the camera in dark surroundings.

Front Nokia N81

Of course, the most important is the front of a phone. After all, that is where the primary navigation keys and the display can be found. The navigation keys of the Nokia N81 are, excluding the menu key and the N-Gage key, designed n black. Small pieces in all that black that let the light through reveal that there is more underneath that black lake. Every stripe, colour or symbol hides a key. Not touch-sensitive, but a regular key. In reality, the whole bottom of the device is one key that can be moved in different directions, due to which the specific keys are used.

By making all the keys out of one piece, the design of the phone is not disturbed by small fissures and notches. Unfortunately, the keys are not very practical to use. Especially when starting or ending a conversation with the green or red key, a result is that the left or right selection key is pressed or that the menu or erase key is pressed. With thicker fingers it even occurs that the gallery of the device is opened instead of a conversation that had to be ended. So, the keys look nice but they are not convenient.

Nokia N81 opened

Of course, the Nokia N81 is a slider. When the display is shoved to the top, the numbered keys are revealed from underneath. These keys are slim, flat and the gaps in between the keys are nil and feel more like an unevenness than a boundary line. Naturally, this makes sure that the numbered block of the phone has a tight and flat appearance. Because the numbered keys really are seperate keys, the keys can be used with bigger fingers very good. Sending an SMS with this keyboards turns out fine and quick and it feels comfortable.

Also keys above the display

Despite of many who could not see this at first sight there is also a key above the display. Something that looks like a speaker for making calls at first turns out to be a key besides its function as a speaker. This button can be used in two directions when playing games.

N-Gage prominent in menu

N-Gage
Via the menu of the phone the user could get access to the N-Gage application, which is connected to the N-Gage platform. But what is N-Gage exactly?

Starting N-Gage

After choosing N-Gage in the menu, the N-Gage application is started. After a flashy intro film, the user ends up in the N-Gage application.

Start screen N-Gage

In the start screen of the N-Gage application all (demo) games that are present on the phone are shown. Demos of Fifa 2008, Creatures of the deep, Asphalt 3 and Snakes are present as a standard. From the start screen, demos can be played and the online showroom of N-Gage can be visited where games can be viewed and chosen, where trials and previews can be downloaded and played and where full versions can be bought. With this, N-Gage becomes a dynamic platform that intertwines the phone and the web seamlessly.

Extra keys are visible when playing a game

When a game is started, the keys above the display are enlighted and activated, something that did not take place until now. Just as on the PC, games are expanded, have a lot of settings possibilities and the gameplay on the Nokia N81 is intuitive for most gamers. Games can be played in an opened or unopened N81.

Camera
The Nokia N81 is equipped with two cameras. At the back, a 2 megapixel camera is present that can be used best for making snapshots. At the front, a CIF camera is placed that can be used for video telephony. The photo quality of the 2 megapixel camera at the back is quite allright. The camera is appropriate for making nice photos that can be shared with friends and family – for example via the web – but they are not really appropriate for real printing.

Photos made with Nokia N81 (click for enlargement)

Other functionalities
The Nokia N81 belongs to the category smartphones. With this, the functionality of the device is almost unlimited. Even with the standard highly expanded possibilities of the Nokia N81, it can occur that you miss certain functions or options as a user. Searching for extra software can be done online, installation is simple and with this, the phone adjusts itself to the wishes of the user.

Eight gigabyte memory
The Nokia N81 is sold in two versions. The cheapest version is the Nokia N81 that is equipped with a memorycard slot and comes together with a 2 gigabyte memorycard. The somewhat more expensive version does not have a memorycard slot but has an internal memory capacity of 8 gigabyte. Ideal for storing photos, films and music.

New interface

New interface
The user can get access to the six sections with quick options to the gallery, music, videos, games, contacts and the internet by pressing the key in between the menu key and the decline key. The sections are placed in some kind of turning mill. This interface, which plays a limited role in the phone at the moment, starts a great change in the Nokia interface for the future. Future phones will be entirily operated with this revolutionary interface.

Internet on Nokia N81

Multimedia and internet
Mentioned in earlier reviews about Symbian devices of Nokia, Nokia has one of the most userfriendly internetbrowsers installed as a standard on the phone. This browser is also to be found on the Nokia N81. Surfing websites that are specially made for the mobile phone is a true pleasure, but if a website does not have a special mobile version, a Symbian phone can generally cope with this website.

Reading RSS Feeds

The Nokia N81 has an RSS reader. Nowadays, a lot of website offer an RSS feed that is automatically updated when a website publishes a new article. An RSS reader on a computer or phone regularly checks whether the RSS file of a website has changed and, when wanted, it can warn when something new has been published. Due to this, an RSS feed gives you the opportunity to always be up to date with the latest headlines.

Reading RSS Feeds

Depending on the chosen feed, the title and the introduction of an article can be viewed and read with RSS. If you want to read the article one click on the link underneath the introduction of the article is sufficient in order to read it online.

Nokia Lifeblog

The Nokia N81 is also equipped with a Lifeblog that can be used in order to update blogs. With this program, one could find out what you have done on a certain day, what you have photographed, who you have called, sent SMS messages to etc. All actions are clearly indicated on a time line. Well-known blogsites can be updated with a mobile phone, with a little help of this program.

Musicplayer

The Nokia N81 sure knows what to do with music. Especially when you are the owner of a Nokia N81 8GB yourself. This device is, as the name already indicates, equipped with 8 gigabyte of storage capacity and this enables the user to store many hours of music on the device. Nokia delivers a stereo headset with remote control as a standard, but because the device is equipped with a 3.5 mm audo jack it is also possible to use your own favourite headphone. Besides an MP3 player, the device also offers an FM radio.

LED indicator

LED indicator
With the denominator “mirrors and beads”, the Nokia N81 is equipped with a LED indicator. Something that we saw in the early times of the mobile phone in the shape of a green flashing light in order to indicate that the phone is switched on and is active, it occurs more and more often that this is implemented into modern phones. Nokia has only user an LED indicator in her very early models, such as the Nokia 5110, but it now is a decoration for a mobile phone.

Underneath the square menu key, an LED light flashed every five seconds. During daylight this is a nice sight bit when the phone lies on your night table at night this could be quite frustrating. Turning around is an option in this case. Luckily, the light can also be switched off.

Plus points and minus points
The functions on the Nokia N81 and Nokia N81 8GB with which Nokia focusses on games, multimedia and internet. As always, we judje the devices based upon the wishes and demands of the target group of the device. With this we come to the following plus points and minus points:

Plus points:
• Easy navigation: In comparison with earlier Nokia Symbian devices, Nokia has simplified the main menu of the device and brought it back to nine options. Due to this, the menu navigation is clear and intuitive.
• Beautiful interface: The standard interface and themes that are installed on the device are beautiful. The step to the new interface for several device options inconspicuously gives a sneak preview of what Nokia wants to bring in the future.
• Compact: The Nokia N81 is compact. The device looks a little square. The slide of the device can be described as good for Nokia standards but it cannot compete with the superb slide mechanisms of Samsung.
• Much memory: We tested the Nokia N81 8GB version. This device offers an enormous storage capacity for music and other multimedia. The memory of the normal Nokia N81 can also be described as an advantage. A 2 gigabyte MicroSD memorycard comes as a standard with the regular Nokia N81.
• Nice and hard sound: The stereo speakers of the Nokia N81 offer nice, warm and hard sound. With the N81 you do not have to be afraid that you will not hear the device when it is stored in a purse or pocket.

Minus points:

• Gameplay: The Nokia N81 is a real game device. However, the gameplay disappointed us. The keys are made out of one piece, due to which a wrong key is easily pressed.
• Menu keys: A logical minus point that we came across is that the keys do not navigate in a very comfortable way. Especially the connection keys for starting or ending a conversation are difficult to use and this often results in pressing the selection keys, the menu key or the erase key.
• Plastic: The device feels like plastic. Large parts of the device are made out of shiny plastic. Because of this you keep on cleaning at first place and second the material is scratched easily.
• Limited camera: The device is positioned as game and multimedia phone. The device only has a 2 megapixel camera, which can be underlined as little in comparison with older devices such as the Nokia N73. If Nokia had used a 3.2 megapixel camera, the device had fitted the target group a little better.

Final judgement:
Unfortunately we believe that this device misses out on a couple of very important things. A game phone without a good gameplay is not a game phone. Despite of the device being positioned as a real game phone, the device does better on the area of music. First of all because of its expanded memory, second because of its powerful stereo speakers and third due to its expanded multimedia player. If we add the somewhat disappointing camera to this, our final mark does not go any further than a 6.5.

The Boy Genius Report