N-Gage takes on the world! (But not while it's left out of the firmware...)

In a personal editorial, Tzer2 takes a look at just how much potential N-Gage has, how that potential is mostly going to waste because the N-Gage app isn't yet built into compatible phones, and why N-Gage (or something like it) is the future of global gaming.

Nokia 5320 XpressMusic: A new N-Gage-compatible phone

Nokia has today announced its first non-Nseries N-Gage-compatible phone, the 5320 XpressMusic. It's a music-oriented phone with dedicated music keys, 24 hours of playback time, a dedicated audio chip for better sound quality, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a high speed USB port for quicker computer-to-phone music transfers. It's also got 3.5G HSDPA which allows multi-megabit internet connections through the mobile phone network. Perhaps best of all though, it's going to launch sim-free and unlocked for just 220 euros plus taxes, about half the price of the N81 (which has a similar specification). The launch date should be some time this Autumn.

Can't decide which N-Gage phone to buy?

There are now eight N-Gage-compatible phones on the market, with many more to come over the next few months and years. Of course you'll probably want to buy such a phone for more than just games, and if you want some help with your purchasing decisions check out All About N-Gage's hardware review section, featuring photos and in-depth reviews of all N-Gage-compatible models courtesy of our sister-site All About Symbian. We couldn't review their N-Gage capabilities because the platform has only just launched, but everything else is covered.

N-Gage beta test ending, Mile High Pinball free for all survey participants

Nokia's Official N-Gage Blog has now confirmed that the "First Access" beta testing phase will end on the 27th of March. It's unclear exactly when the full version of N-Gage will launch, but it should be "in the next few weeks". Nokia's also started a survey about the beta test and will give away the next gen version of Mile High Pinball to all beta testers who respond. You can also now sign up for SMS notification of the launch. Click on the headline for some important details.

Another new N-Gage phone: the Nokia N78

Our sister site All About Symbian has done a hands-on preview of the Nokia N78, which will be N-Gage compatible at its launch in July 2008. Head on over to AAS to find out more about this new member of the N-Gage family.

Some plausible suggestions for improving N-Gage

What would you like to see on N-Gage in the long term? We've come up with ten suggestions which we think are do-able and would be good for the platform, click here and see what you think of them. As always, comments are very welcome.

Nokia holds video press conference on N-Gage

Nokia's gaming department has published a 12 minute video press conference featuring three of their most important executives. They answer questions from the N-Gage community, but instead of the usual hype they actually give fairly direct answers, there's a lot of interesting stuff here. Click on this news item to see the full conference. (via the Official N-Gage Blog)

N-Gage gets a new phone: the Nokia N96

Although it hasn't been directly announced as an N-Gage phone, Nokia's official publicity photos show their new N96 model running the Star Wars N-Gage game, and also show dedicated gaming keys similar to those on the N81. Click on this news item to see the photos...

Nokia talks 3D hardware (finally!)

Nokia has finally given a clear statement that there WILL be enhanced versions of N-Gage games for phones with 3D acceleration chips. Phones without the chips will get the same games, but because they use software to generate 3D their graphics will be less snazzy-looking.

E90: Gaming Machine?