Nokia unveils its 'icon of convergence" - the N96

To keep up with our active, multi-tasking lifestyles, a lot of mobile devices are themselves offering a similarly diverse array of functions and capabilities in one unit.

With the arrival of more powerful chips, wireless Internet access, and more tech-hungry users, features from games to digital cameras to Web browsing to mobile TV and even to navigation were added to what used to be just a humble cellphone used to call and text other people.

Enter the Nokia N96 — a mobile phone that fuses intelligent design with cutting-edge mobile technology. It features live TV, a five-megapixel camera, real-time voice-guided navigation, GPS, up to 24GB of memory, TV and Stereo connectivity and the latest N-Gage game — all in one device. 

“This is our most advanced multimedia computer to date, combining outstanding video and camera capabilities, music playing, navigation and Internet connectivity and bringing them all to the next level,” said William Hamilton-Whyte, general manager of Nokia Philippines.

“The pioneering dual-slider design blends phone and multimedia options seamlessly so it makes discovering and sharing experiences effortless. The Nokia N96 is simply in a league of its own,” he added. 

While other handsets take pictures and play videos, the N96 takes these functions to the next level by allowing users to “geotag” images to a specific location and to view the latest YouTube videos or watch live TV.

The N96 supports live broadcast mobile TV as it happens via Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld format or DVB-H, delivering advanced television viewing across a number of digital channels.

It is even possible to record favorite programs to watch at a later time, be it on a train, in an airport lounge or in a café over a drink. 

The N96, which runs on the ever-popular and user-friendly Series 60 Symbian operating system, boasts a stunning 2.8-inch display and integrated kickstand that props up the device for TV viewing. Users can download the best of British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) programs like Top Gear, Walking with Dinosaurs, Tribe and Dr. Who from www.nokia-asia.com/videos/BBC.

The BBC programs can be enjoyed for a full 30 days on the Nokia N96 and consumers have up to the end of February 2009 to download these. 

You can view your videos, pictures or webpages on the bigger screen with its TV-out cables connected to an LCD or projector. The Nokia N96 can also store up to 40 hours of video with its built-in 16GB flash drive.

It also supports popular video formats, including MPEG-4, 3gp Windows Media Video that can be streamed or downloaded from the Web.

Nokia’s N96 has an enhanced navigation experience that includes rich, easy-to-use maps with 3D views and satellite perspectives. It also has voice-activated turn-by-turn navigation — for walking or driving — along with the new City Guides that offer a great way to explore undiscovered places.

Last but not the least is the N96’s gaming side. It comes with Nokia’s N-Gage games application pre-loaded and one bonus game — Asphalt 3: Street Rules. Dedicated gaming keys light up when the device is in landscape gaming mode to further enhance the gaming experience. 

The N96 is available at all Nokia Stores and authorized retail shops nationwide and has a suggested retail price of P40,650.