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GAMES REVIEW
TECHNOLOGY
Published
October 2000
TECHNOLOGY |
Published October 2000 |
ANALOG
OR DIGITAL?
Cellular phones
are perhaps the objects that are most loved and hated these days.
While indispensable for many, and immensely irritating to others,
the cellular phone has conquered Europe and now it's coming to
North America.
The Canadian market differs from the European one in needs and situations "while the North American user is more interested in getting a flat rate, free calls, the European user is more interested in the phone features," explains Yuri Rebello, Nokia's Director of Engineering during a recent phone interview.
But the situation for the Canadian phone market is far more complex than the one on the other side of the ocean. In fact, while the European users enjoy a digital format based on a single protocol (GSM), which is capable of supplying an extensive territorial range and impressive reception, the same cannot be said for the Canadian user for whom such a format is not available.
In fact in most cases the connection drops. In those situations the only solution is to adopt an analog cellular phone (because of the wider territorial signals) which, unlike the digital models, doesn't offer any of the new features available in the latest phones.
Digital technology not only provides enhanced sound quality, enhanced privacy, and additional calling and data transmission services, but also allows service providers to use the airways more efficiently. Digital technology transmitting data, images and sound by converting it to binary bits uses radio frequency more efficiently, so more calls and more data can be transmitted at one time on one channel. Because of this increased efficiency, digital phone service is often less expensive than analog service
" In Canada, " continues Rebello "unlike Europe where digital signals exist only on GSM protocol, there are three protocols that are used: GSM, TDMA and CDMA. The cellulars using the last two can also work in analog mode, allowing thus a more stable reception."
Unlike the other two, GSM allows the sharing of SMS (Short Message Service) messages, a trend that is becoming immensely popular among the European youth. "In essence," continues Rebello, "the average user doesn't know whether his phone is an analog or digital model; the technology aspect of it interests only marginally."
Most of the time the choice depends on the user's needs, that's why on the market there are analog models, such as Nokia 252 and 282, or digital ones with web browsing capabilities and/or e-mail ideal for who needs to be informed constantly. These are Nokia 6100 and 5100. Or there's the PDA (personal digital assistant) and web browsing enable as the Nokia 6185.
The current digital phones, says Rebello, still belong to the second generation, [analog are the first generation] and soon on the market, beginning with the Japanese at the tail end of 2001, and travelling through Europe and arriving in North America, will appear the third-generation cellulars. A technological leap, says Rebello, that's truly impressive.
Transmission capabilities that are incredible are only some of the most interesting aspects behind the new cellulars. They are no longer thought of as simple telephones, but capable now of integrating digital cameras, tape recorders and much more.
Today in terms of speed on mobile phones, says Nokia's Engineer, " we are talking about 9.6 Kilobits/sec. With the new technology we are moving on to 144 Kilobits/sec for the middle of next year and with the third generation we will see speeds of 384 Kilobits/sec on mobile environment on networks capable of up to 2 Megabits/sec. "
Streaming technology, videoconferencing and web contents imagine watching television on your future cellular phone or taking a photo and sending it to your partner via e-mail.
" This technology, " continues Rebello, "will introduce the so-called ` Instant Culture ' or what you want, right here, right now. "
The biggest integration between mobile phone and the internet will most likely influence our future choices in a radical way. In the meantime, while waiting for new technology, it's important to choose the cellular phone which comes closer to our needs.
For further information on these Nokia please visit www.nokia.ca
GAMES
MediEvil II (SonyPlaystation)
Sir Daniel Fortesque is back! Who is this guy? you' re wondering.
Well, Playstation lovers will surely recognize his name. MediEvil
II is , in fact, the sequel to one of the most popular games
for the Sony console, and Sir Daniel again represents the solitary
hero who has to fight the forces of evil.
MediEvil II, like its first chapter, presents some characteristics totally unlike other adventure games where the main characters are inflexible, never smiling Rambos. On the contrary, Sir Daniel is an untypical character, halfway between seriousness and mirth. With a shambling gait and a not-too-bright smile, he's the real antihero. This is a captivating feature of the game, a goofy paladin that makes you smile.
As I said, the purpose of the game is to defeat the forces of evil, commanded here by the evil (what else?) Lord Palethrone. In a London completely different from that described in MediEvil I, Sir Daniel has to recover Zarok's Spellbook.
During the game one has to solve a series of hard, engaging riddles, so that among furious melees against zombies and armoured knights one has to find objects needed to complete the puzzles.
In comparison to the first version, MediEvil II is definitely better from all standpoints. Game levels are less trivial, puzzles are tougher, new weapons and new moves form a recipe for success, especially when added to an already successful formula.
If you are looking for an action game that can also entertain you, MediEvil II is for you. Don't expect special effects or other fancy additions, just relax and smile while preparing to use the faithful sword of your Y2K Don Quixote.
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