Toys & Gadgets

There’s no shortage of reasons why we should throw this render in the trash. First is the simple fact that it’s a render at all, and we all know how extraordinarily talented the world’s artistically-inclined phone fanboys and girls are. Second, we’re hearing that this is known as the N98, which runs counter to other rumors (and retail evidence in the X3 and X6) that Nokia is moving to a one-letter, one-digit naming convention across its smartphone range. Third, this looks like a straight-up cross between a Sidekick 2008 and a Sidekick LX 2009 (save the tilt-up display, of course). All that said, we can’t help but feel that a device exactly like this makes sense for Nokia’s high-end, multimedia-savvy Symbian range — a proper successor to the N97 that might clear up some complaints like the off-center spacebar.

Anyhow, rumor has it the so-called N98 features a 4-inch touchscreen (likely capacitive, considering the precedent set by the X6) with 32GB of internal storage and a launch date in time for holiday 2010 at around €450 ($617) — and we’re even seeing an HDMI logo silkscreened on the side, too. This actually mixes pretty closely with another recent rumor that says we can expect an N8 model this Summer with a 3.5-inch capacitive display, 12 megapixel sensor, and Symbian^3, so an alternate possibility is that we’re actually looking at that N8 here. Either way, if any of it is real, it could see a debut anywhere between MWC next week and Nokia World later in the year — but admittedly, our fake-o-meter’s reading pretty high on this one until we see an announcement. Nokia fans: is this what you’re looking for in a next-gen device?

Is this the Nokia N98, or the twisted brainchild of a Sidekick fanatic? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, this is interesting — Intel just sent us an invitation to Nokia’s press event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week. We’re told that the two companies will update us on the “latest developments” from their relatively new relationship, before Nokia launches into its solo presser directly afterwards. That could mean pretty much anything from a ho-hum Atom N450 refresh of the Booklet 3G to a fire-breathing Moorestown Maemo 5 phone, so we’re obviously extremely curious to see what goes down — our money is on the more conservative side of things, since we’re thinking Intel just wants to have a presence at MWC, but we do love to be surprised.

Intel to be part of Nokia’s MWC press conference — a new Booklet, or something more? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia’s already tipped its hand for the year Twenty Ten by publicly stating its intent to deliver a sleeker, more attractive, and faster Symbian UI; fewer nags; and at least one Maemo handset before the year is done. What we’ve been missing though, are the details. While we still don’t have the complete story, it is beginning to take shape according to alleged leaks received by Tom’s Guide. First up is a new naming convention, something already telegraphed by Nokia’s Xseries launch and Cseries trademark. According to the French language site, Nokia will end the use of monikers like XpressMusic or Classic as it simplifies around the following five ranges:

• C: voice-centric handsets.
• X: targeting youth, entertainment.
• E: business focused.
• N: high-end.
• S: limited editions.

Tom’s Guide claims to be privy to 14 new models, a few of which it spilled the beans on today. Click through for the gossip.

Continue reading Nokia N8-00: first Symbian^3 handset with 12 megapixel camera, 720p video, and HDMI leaked in summer roadmap?

Nokia N8-00: first Symbian^3 handset with 12 megapixel camera, 720p video, and HDMI leaked in summer roadmap? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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People sure do like getting something for nothing. Since Nokia made the big move to stop charging for its walk and drive navigation last week, 1.4 million of us have downloaded the Ovi Maps software — on average, that’s a download a second since launch. The response has been so good that it’s exceeded Nokia’s expectations according to Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia Executive Vice President, with China, Italy, UK, Germany and Spain representing the top 5 downloaders. Hardly a surprise to see consumers responding so favorably to a free offering that makes a device you already have (your smartphone) that much smarter even if it does make your dedicated satnav somewhat mostly redundant. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Ovi Maps downloaded 1.4 million times in first week since going free

Ovi Maps downloaded 1.4 million times in first week since going free originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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People sure do like getting something for nothing. Since Nokia made the big move to stop charging for its walk and drive navigation last week, 1.4 million of us have downloaded the Ovi Maps software — on average, that’s a download a second since launch. The response has been so good that it’s exceeded Nokia’s expectations according to Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia Executive Vice President, with China, Italy, UK, Germany and Spain representing the top 5 downloaders. Hardly a surprise to see consumers responding so favorably to a free offering that makes a device you already have (your smartphone) that much smarter even if it does make your dedicated satnav somewhat mostly redundant. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Ovi Maps downloaded 1.4 million times in first week since going free

Ovi Maps downloaded 1.4 million times in first week since going free originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Since it looks like GT5’s still another decade or two away from release, racing gamers need everything they can to survive the wait, and this is just about the most creative way we’ve seen to do that. At a glance, Nokia’s Ovi Maps Racing looks like a pretty simple, standard 2D racer with an overhead view, but its secret sauce lies in the map: it can turn pretty much any street in the world into a racecourse. The game lets you chart out your heated battle using nothing more than Ovi Maps data and your finger, meaning Manhattan, Prague, or your folks’ quiet, peaceful neighborhood are all potential targets for your high-speed bedlam. Seems like a great way to inject limitless replay value into an otherwise plain-vanilla racer, doesn’t it? It’ll work on any of Nokia’s Symbian^1 (formerly known as S60 5th Edition) devices, and — for now, anyway — it’s free. Follow the break for a quick promo video.

Continue reading Nokia’s Ovi Maps Racing now available, makes the world your course

Nokia’s Ovi Maps Racing now available, makes the world your course originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Since it looks like GT5’s still another decade or two away from release, racing gamers need everything they can to survive the wait, and this is just about the most creative way we’ve seen to do that. At a glance, Nokia’s Ovi Maps Racing looks like a pretty simple, standard 2D racer with an overhead view, but its secret sauce lies in the map: it can turn pretty much any street in the world into a racecourse. The game lets you chart out your heated battle using nothing more than Ovi Maps data and your finger, meaning Manhattan, Prague, or your folks’ quiet, peaceful neighborhood are all potential targets for your high-speed bedlam. Seems like a great way to inject limitless replay value into an otherwise plain-vanilla racer, doesn’t it? It’ll work on any of Nokia’s Symbian^1 (formerly known as S60 5th Edition) devices, and — for now, anyway — it’s free. Follow the break for a quick promo video.

Continue reading Nokia’s Ovi Maps Racing now available, makes the world your course

Nokia’s Ovi Maps Racing now available, makes the world your course originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although Nokia has lost smartphone market share over the past few years, 2009 showed signs of a turn-around. Add in 2010 plans for a major Symbian revamp, cross-platform Qt apps and multitouch and you just might see perfect timing for Nokia.

Now that we’ve heard the big news from Nokia’s London press event, it’s only natural to get our hands dirty with the upgraded Ovi Maps. The preloaded map does indeed load much quicker than its old network counterpart, and hey, did we mention it’s free too? Enjoy the photos and video after the break with your breakfast.

Continue reading Nokia Ovi Maps with free turn-by-turn navigation hands-on

Nokia Ovi Maps with free turn-by-turn navigation hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/apple/Apple_retaliates_requests_US_import_ban_on_Nokia_phones’;
As expected, Apple just responded to Nokia’s ITC request to ban Apple device imports with a US embargo request of its very own. Notice of Apple’s complaint (without any detail) was posted yesterday on the website of the International Trade Commission — a government agency tasked with protecting the US market from unfair trade practices. As you might recall, the whole Nokia v. Apple legal spat started with Nokia suing Apple for infringing upon Nokia patents relating to GSM, UMTS, and WiFi; a claim later expanded to include “implementation patents” covering a wide range of items including camera sensors and touchscreens. While the ITC hasn’t agreed to investigate either Nokia’s or Apple’s complaints, it is customary to do so with investigations usually taking about 15 months to complete. We’ll post more when the details of Apple’s patent infringement complaint are revealed.

Apple retaliates: requests US import ban on Nokia phones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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