The much anticipated, and much
rumored, double-slider
N96 Multimedia Device has finally been unveiled at the
Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Designed as a video powerhouse, the N96 includes an integrated TV tuner, a stunning 2.8 inch QVGA display, and a clever kickstand for setting the device down for viewing. It also has more memory -- 16-gigabytes of memory for up to 40 hours of stored video (with a microSD slot for even more memory). With Digital Video Broadcasting-Handhelds (DVB-H) capability, the phone can tune in to live TV broadcasts aimed specifically at mobile phones (right now, only available in Europe, alas).
Much like its predecessor, the high-end
N95, the N96 has
Carl Zeiss Tessar lens with a 5-megapixel camera and DVD-like video by recording at 30 frames-per-second. It also has UPnP, which means you can easily play back your photos or videos on your television via the included TV-out cable.
Unlike the N95, the N96 is optimized for on-the-go video games as well, with dedicated gaming keys on the second slider panel. This will come in handy since Nokia recently launched its
N-Gage gaming platform, which will feature dozens of titles, including EA Sports FIFA 08, Asphalt 3: Race Rules, Snakes Subsonic, and for the gambling junkie the World Series of Poker.
The N96 is crammed full of other cutting-edge features, including assisted-GPS with maps, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, High Speed USB 2.0 connectivity, FM radio, dual-LED flash (for photos and video), a secondary camera for video calls, and the ability to surf the Web/transfer data and talk on the phone at the same time.
Pricing and availability are to be announced, but it's likely the device will come out in Europe first, then make its way to the U.S. in unlocked form for T-Mobile or AT&T. We'll let you know.
From
Engadget
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