Nokia Ships N-gage QD Overseas

Nokia today announced the immediate availability of its N-gage QD gaming mobile phone in Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Pricing varies, but will be available for as little as $60. Availibility and pricing will be different for the U.S. market--the ship date is June 29th, and the suggested pricing will be $199 with one bundled game, and $179 without a game. From a user's perspective, the N-gage QD corrects the most significant complaints of the older model, featuring a larger screen, a game card slot that doesn't require removal of the battery, and repositioned speaker and microphone elements on the top of the phone, as opposed to the "bottom of the taco" position that made the first N-gage awkward to talk on. Unchanged is the lack of an analog controller and the general arrangement of controls and screen.