Nokia announced it would not build N-Gage smartphone number three last May. Rather, the cell phone giant plans to port the underlying technology of the N-Gage gaming platform to other smartphones (see Nokia N-Gages More Smartphones).

The company introduced another N-Gage handset this week, however.

Change of heart, nope.

The new smartphone is simply a revamped version of the most current model, the N-Gage QD. In fact, the only difference between the two is the color, sliver as opposed to black (see bellow).

It seems, according to Nokia, the industry has been clamoring for some N-Gage color variation. Hence, the new N-Gage QD Silver Edition game deck.

Nokia director, global sales, game business program Jukka Hosi says, "We have had a lot of requests from both consumers and trade to provide an N-Gage QD variant. This is very much in line with our fall consumer activities. We chose silver as it's one of the season's most fashionable colors."

N-Gage QD Silver Edition is expected ship on September 1st, in the European, Middle Eastern and African markets. It appears the smartphone won't make it to the United States.

N-Gage QD
When released last summer, N-Gage QD could run the dozen or so games already produced for the original N-Gage—many more games have been introduced since that time.

N-Gage QD is more compact than the first model at 5.05 ounces and 4.65 x 2.68 x .87 inches, has a hot-swappable MultiMediaCard slot for easier game switching, longer battery life, improved gaming controls, a brighter screen, and a new (at the time) N-Gage Arena launcher application.

The launcher aimed to make it easier for gamers to connect to N-Gage users around the world over mobile networks via the N-Gage Arena. The launcher is accessed from an icon in the game deck's main applications menu, similar to other N-Gage software.

N-Gage Arena members can communicate with one another, download exclusive content, access rankings statistics, participate in events and activities, and more. As with the original, N-Gage QD owners could participate in close-range multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth.

Thankfully, N-Gage QD eschewed the "taco" style of the first N-Gage for a more traditional and more flattering phone style.

As with all other Series 60 smartphones, the N-Gage QD also offers personal information management, an XHTML browser, email and the possibility to download and install additional Series 60 software.