Nokia unveils N96

“Gizmo junkies wanting an alternative to the iPhone 3G have some choice now.

The Nokia N96 was rolled out on Thursday in the city offering convergence in a device, the company officials say, will “put the power to shape the Internet in your hands”. Some of its features are: quality video, internet, maps, tagged photos and live TV.

“As of now, users can watch live TV (operator service using DVB-H or streaming over 3G, where available) only from Doordarshan and only in Delhi,” said Vineet Taneja, head-GTM, Nokia India, while announcing the launch of Nokia N96 here.

Users can access internet video feeds through Nokia Video Center and transfer videos from a compatible PC using
hi-speed USB 2.0.

On the N96, which has a 24 GB memory, users can watch high-quality video on the 2.8-inch display. They can store up to 40 hours of video on the 16 gigabytes of memory and expand storage further with the microSD card slot. The video playback at 30 fps is offered for an  array of formats. In India, the N96 will come with the full-length Bollywood movie ‘Om Shanti Om’ pre-loaded. The device will also include 50 music videos.

Sound comes through standard 3.5 mm jack headphones, built-in 3D stereo speakers or Bluetooth technology. The N96 has a digital music player and you can edit the playlist and create categories for your music collection. Users can also search, browse and buy songs online in the Nokia Music Store.

For game freaks, three ‘N-gage’ games, including the third edition of ‘Asphalt3: Street Rules’, are pre-loaded into the device.

It also offers podcasts, stereo FM Radio with RDS and Internet Radio.  Internet is enabled through the Nokia web browser, featuring visual history, mini-map and Flash video. You can also do a Nokia Search (local & internet) and get latest headlines with RSS web feeds.

There is no touch like the iPhone and the price is not very different at Rs 34,999. But if you do get and miss the N96, not to worry. The WaveSecure feature helps the user retrieve all stored information from a website if the handset gets stolen.

WaveSecure is an application that allows the user to secure everything on the device wirelessly. So, he can save and create a backup of all data such as contacts, SMS, call logs and calendar entries through a website.

If the device is lost or stolen, the user can remotely wipe out all data from the device to stop misuse and lock it. If a new SIM is inserted, that is also tracked.

The phone’s maps with the accompanying databse of the city’s restaurants and useful places could help you when on the roads.

The phone has an A-GPS receiver and users can download maps of parts of cities.

Photos taken on the camera can be geo-tagged, so there is no need for manual information about time and place required. Photos can also be shared online.

The N96 will be available across India from September 16. First shipments have started.

“I know the iPhone has a touch interface but after using it for some time, I think I prefer the keypad,” said techie Apul Nahata.