Updated 13 Feb, 2012, 6:30 pm IST

REVIEWS / SMARTPHONES / NOKIA

Nokia N85

20 Dec, 2008, 10:00 am IST | Shayne Rana | Smartphones

Gaming
Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the handset’s core feature is gaming. Two things stand out here in this section and both aren’t good. Firstly, the accelerometer works only in one direction, but is thankfully usable on all screens, except the N-Gage Gaming Zone screen which DOES NOT change. It remains in portrait mode and when the ‘games begin’ the orientation changes to the opposite side as the normal screens. It’s quite annoying.

The second issue is that there weren’t any preloaded games. For a mobile being marketed as a gaming handset not to have a single game pre-installed is a big No-No in my book. In the N-Gage section a few games have been selected for playing but I would have had to purchase the game to play all levels since they were just try and buy. I received a test handset without any activation codes included for games but according to Nokia though, you as a consumer, will receive a voucher to activate ONE game but you'll have to purchase codes for the other 14 games. But you can at least play the trials up to a certain level without interruption. Nokia could have included a few full .SIS or Java games for this 'Gaming' handset'.

The two middle keys on the second keypad, as I mentioned, function as gaming keys, but it’s possible that some might find them a bit small to use. It’ll take a few minutes getting used to though. The handset does support Java games as well as .SIS formats. However, you may not be able to play most in landscape with the dedicated gaming keys. Having played N-Gage games on other handsets I can assuredly tell you that the N85 will deliver in this context as a gaming handset. You can also play and upload your scores onto the N-Gage Arena online.

Misc. Features
The N85, as I mentioned in the beginning is a very loaded handset. With all the regular features that include a Calculator, Alarm, Calendar etc. and Quick Office that allows you to read but not edit files without purchasing the license. The converter and Zip application are also present. There are quite a few Try and Buy applications you can download and use for a limited time via Nokia’s Catalogue Download section including games, apps, themes, wallpapers etc. The standard S60 Utilities like 3D Tones, Voice Commands Bluetooth Switcher, Text to speech and message reader are also present.

Connectivity
There’re plenty of connectivity options that the N85 brings to the table. It offers Wi-fi, Stereo Bluetooth and USB 2.0 connectivity (for PC Sync etc that can also be used via Bluetooth), EDGE/GPRS and is even 3G ready. The handset comes with plenty of applications and features to makes the best use out of these options. Nokia’s Home Media application allows you set up any media devices at your home that are Wi-fi ready for streaming purposes.

You can access My Nokia, as well as share images online via Vox or Nokia’s M-blog and of course send emails by configuring your personal accounts and you can also download and configure Mail for Exchange on the handset. Search is also available for content on the handset as well as online via Google, Yahoo! or Live Search. The browser is of course unchanged and works just fine so no problem here.

GPS
Nokia Maps 2.0 together with the N85’s internal GPS receiver and A-GPS support enhances the appeal of the handset. That’s nothing new with Nokia so there’s not much to talk about here. Like most other Nokia handsets you’ll get three months free time worth of Live navigation after which you’ll have to purchase the license. It actually doesn’t take too long starting up and picking up satellite signals in most outdoor areas. Geo-Tagging is also supported with the help of the camera.

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