Nokia has taken the wraps off two new smartphones in its N series — the N79 and the N85. Both phones further blur the distinction between a phone and a computer, a blending that Nokia is encouraging by describing each of them as a “multimedia computer.”
Covers with Matching Screens
The N79 features integrated navigation, 3.5G HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity, music with a built-in FM transmitter, Web browsing, built-in GPS, a five-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash, and a 4GB microSD card. Video can be edited right in the camera, and images can be geotagged to reference specific locations. The FM transmitter allows the music on the device to be heard on a car radio. It will begin shipping in October.
Juha Kukkohen, director of the N series, said the new model “packs cutting-edge technology into a compact design,” as do others in this line. He noted that it comes with “interchangeable covers that have automatically matching screen themes.” Those XPress-on “smart covers” have five possible colors — Light Sea Blue, Expresso Brown, Olive Green, White and Coral Red — and three come with each N79.
The Finnish company said the N85 sets “new standards for mobile entertainment, gaming and sharing.” It features a 2.6-inch OLED screen, N-Gage gaming, music with a built-in FM transmitter, a five-megapixel camera with Zeiss optics, 30-frames-per second video, geotagging, high-speed connectivity, GPS and a three-month license to turn-by-turn voice directions. It also is expected to ship in October.
Nokia said the N85 is a “complete entertainment package designed for connecting, sharing and discovery,” noting that the “iconic” Nokia N-series dual slider design has become smaller and sleeker.
‘High Bar’ for N Series
The N85 comes preloaded with “at least” 10 made-for-mobile N-gage gaming titles, plus a voucher to activate one full game. Gaming keys light up…