Nokia N81

Today Nokia has announced the brand is back - but thankfully as part of a software platform rather than a dedicated device.

Incorporated inside Nokia's new Internet services brand ‘Ovi' ('Door' in Finnish - I know because the press release told me), it will give budding mobile gamers the chance to download games onto their handsets for between six and eight euros a pop. Free demos of all games will also be available to provide a try-before-you-buy experience. Nokia hasn't detailed any specific titles for N-Gage as of yet, but expect some golden oldies as well as a raft of newbies.

Further fleshing out Ovi is access to the Nokia Music Store which is scheduled to go live later this year. 192kbps bitrate tracks will be sold in WMA format and can be downloaded either from a compatible handset or direct for a PC. A catalogue of 'millions' is claimed to be available from day one with prices for individual songs set at one euro and albums going for 10 euros.