Monthly Archives: December 2022

Nokia 3100

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A feature phone designed to appeal to the youth of the time, with its 4096 colour screen (128×128 resolution) and polyphonic ringtones, and featured support of GRPS internet browsing and MultiMedia messages. The phone also features a glow-in-the-dark cover which allows you to find your phone in the dark. As for the display, The screen uses STN technology, which makes it hard to read in the sun, and has a low response rate which can result in ghosting when navigating the menus.

The device lacks a built-in camera, but Nokia provided optional support with the Nokia Fun Camera, which could be connected to the phone’s Pop-Port to transfer photos, which can be sent via MMS.

There is also a lack of FM Radio and MP3 audio support since this was targeted as an entry-level device. There is also no Infrared or Bluetooth, so you will need to purchase a Nokia data cable to connect to your PC. In this mode you can transfer ringtones and wallpapers, and download Java apps to the phone. You can also use the handset as a modem but you are limited to GRPS.

Still the phone enables internet and multimedia message use and is compatible with nearly all of the Java mobile apps

The screens below are captured from the handset itself. Unfortunately, Nokia Series 40 phones cannot take screenshots of their display. Because of the low DPI nature of the screen, there are some screendoor like artifacts that can be seen.

Home Screen

Appears the same as any other Nokia handset from the same era. Some operators may include their own brandings, such as an operator logo or a custom background. This one appears to have the O2 background preinstalled.

Menu

The traditional Nokia interface is used for the handsets menus, but with an updated icon set. The interface is similar to the 6610 and 6230, being Series 40-based.

The directional keys can be used as shortcuts to common menu items, like pressing the up button opens the camera, left will open the SMS message composer.

Speed dialing can be activated by pressing and holding down a key, which will dial out the contact number assigned to it. 1 will always dial out the voicemail number.

Messages

Here you can create and send SMS text messages, or compose one using the built-in templates offered. Received messages can be entered into custom folders for longer-term keeping.
There is also a distribution list for when you want to spam multiple contacts with the same message, you simply enter the numbers to send the message to or select from your phonebook, and your message will be set to multiple recipients. Useful for making an announcement or sending the same message to multiple contacts frequently.

Nokia smart messaging is supported, which allows sending and receiving of ringtones and black/white static images to other supported handsets (commonly Nokia) but also with some Samsung/LG/Motorola. There are 10 templates that have been included with the handset that can be sent.

MMS is supported, which allows for photos and small audio clips to be sent using the phone’s data connection. Up to 100kb can be attached to a single MMS file. As the phone lacks a built-in camera, you would think this would have limited use. But as mentioned earlier Nokia did release a Fun Camera, which was a portable camera that would connect to the phone’s pop-port, pictures can then be imported to the phone where they can be sent.

Sony Ericsson also release something similar to their T68 handset, which is considered the direct competitor to the 3100.

Contacts

The Phonebook can save around 200 entries with a little more being saved to the SIM card. Contacts stored in the phone memory can have additional information assigned to it, such as the email address, home/landline number, fax number, office/work, and a photo of the contact assigned, which will appear on screen when the contact shows. If a contact has multiple numbers assigned to it, the first number entered will be the default contact used.

Call Register

Three lists are stored here, each for received, dialed and missed calls. Each list can save up to 20 entries and will show the date/time of the call. You can also press the green call button from the idle screen to show the recently dialed numbers.

You can also view the call time counters for the last phonecall, and the lifetime calls for the device. This can also be reset at any time.

Profiles

Profiles can be set and configured from there, you can also access this by pressing the power button, located at the top of the handset. Profiles can also be timed so they expire after a set amount of hours, useful when setting the device to be on silent for when you enter a meeting.
The default profiles are General, Silent, Discreet, Loud, Outdoor and Pager.

Settings

Personal Shortcuts: Change what the right selection key performs at the home screen, and customize the Go To menu
Screen saver: Displays and sets the phone screensaver, and how long the screensaver should be displayed
Time and date: Set the phones time and date, if it has not been set by the network
Call: Set the call to divert and waiting options, and if you want your caller ID to be sent
Phone: Change phone-specific settings like the language, automatic keyguard and the delay to lock the keys, Cell info display that show local information provided by the nearest mast, set the phones welcome note, the startup tone and the help text which is displayed after a few seconds when a menu item is highligted.
Display: Change the wallpaper, colour scheme, and operator logo (if one has been setup).
Tone: Set the ringing tone, the message tone and to enable vibration. A unique feature of the phone is it can flash its backlights in rhythm with the ringtone, however this only seems to work for ringtones shipped with the handset, downloaded ringtones will simply flash the backlight on and off.
Enhancement: Which profile to set when a handsfree headset is connected to the phone
Security: set and change the phones security code, and the Sim card PIN code
Lastly, you can restore the factory settings, but this will require the phone security code.

Gallery

To view wallpapers and ringtones that are included with the phone, any that have been downloaded.

Alarm Clock

Set an alarm, only one can be set here but it can be set to repeat daily or weekly. This has its own place in the main menu, rather than being embedded into the Organiser menu on other handsets.

Calendar

A standard calendar is offered, which can be used to add events to each day. Three times of events can be added, Reminder, Call and Birthday

Games

Three games are included: Snake, Beach Rally & Bowling. Optional games that could be downloaded and installed are Bounce, Space Impact, Trail Biker & Chess Puzzle. With under 1MB of user storage you’re limited to the number of games you can download.

There is also an applications menu, but none are included and must be downloaded. Sometimes games that have been downloaded will appear in the applications folder.

Extras

Calculator: Just a standard basic calculator
Countdown Timer: Enter a time to countdown to
Stopwatch: Choose either Split or Lap timing, and view any previous times

Services

The phone’s WAP and internet browser, with pre-set links to download more content like ringtones and wallpapers.
Also a bookmark for Blyk, which was a mobile network that launched in 2007 and was a free mobile network that r would send adverts in the form of SMS text messages which would provide you with free credit. It totally flopped and closed in 2009.

Go To

A menu that lists shortcuts that have been added

Lastly, there is also a dedicated menu for the Sim card application toolkit which will appear if the SIM card is configured to display one.

Dead or Alive

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Virtua Fighter with bouncing physics

Released in 1996, Dead or alive was the fighting game created by Tomobou Itagaki, who is known for hating the Tekken game with a passion.

There are some similarities to the Virtua Fighter series of games by Sega, and have the same input controls and move-sets with Punch, Kick and Guard/Hold.

Characters

The character select screen displays basic stats on the characters and some not-so-useful information like the character’s favorite food and their hobbies. Honestly, this looks more like a dating site profile but does add a bit of personality to the fighters.

As with other fighting games, each character has their own unique fighting style which is tailored to their culture, and there are some obvious inspirations with Jann Lee being based off Bruce Lee.

  • Kasumi: The ginger ninja, or runaway shinobi according to the games lore
  • Zack: Dennis Rodman-inspired character who has a kickboxer moveset. The first opponent who stage is set on a tropical beach set at sunset
  • Ryu: Another Ninja, from the game Ninja Gaiden. The third opponent set on a rural Japanese stage with a hut in the background
  • Bayman: A Russian henchman/assassin, the sixth opponent whose stage is set in an aircraft hangar since he is supposed to have a military background
  • Jann Lee: Bruce Lee, similar to Law from Tekken. The fourth opponent and shares a stage with Tina, which is an American downtown highway set at night
  • Tina Armstrong: A wrestler and daughter of Bass Armstrong
  • Gen Fu: Old dude who is a master in Kung Fu, like Wang from Tekken
  • Lei Fang: A Chinese fortune teller turned fighter
  • PlayStation Only
    • Ayane: Kasumi’s half-sister who are rivals. Looks like a feminist
  • Bass Armstrong: Tina’s father, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage crossover

Versions

Dead or Alive was released initially in arcades in 1996, and then ported to home consoles in 1997

Arcade (Original)

The game runs on the Sega Model 2 arcade board and is very similar to Virtua Fighter 2 which also ran on the same board. The control movesets and even the background stages are similar. This version of the game renders its stage background in full 3D, allowing for certain moves that use the background elements like a couple of Ryu’s moves on his stage. There is also a ‘Danger Zone’ around the stage that when your opponent lands on it, will be propelled into the air with a mild explosion, dealing some damage.

Sega Saturn

The game was ported to the Saturn and was the first home port of the game. This version is a mostly faithful conversion of the arcade original, with some changes taking place due to the less capabilities of the Saturn 3D hardware. Still, the Saturn has always done good with fighting games, and Dead Or Alive is no exception to this, yet this version of the game was only released in Japan.

There are a few menu options added, with a Time Attack mode being similar to arcade mode but with the goal of completing rounds in the shortest amount of time. V.S being versus, allowing a second player to fight head to head. Survival mode has you fight against multiple opponents, one at a time, using a single life bar. Kumite is somewhat a sparing mode where you can fight from 30/60/100 opponents which the goal of having the highest winning percentage. Lastly, there is also a standard training mode that lets you practice each character move, and test against opponents’ defensive moves.

Like other Arcade to Saturn conversions, an opening FMV is included which gives a quick montage of the characters.

As the Saturn version of the game was only released in Japan, I would avoid this version and get the original Xbox version instead, which is the same game but with added online play and cleaned-up graphics.

Sony PlayStation

An updated version of the game was released for the PlayStation, which came with updated moves, two new added characters & backgrounds. This is considered a remake of sorts, as the stage background and music have been redesigned and are vastly different compared to the Sega versions. Two new characters have also been added which also feature in the arcade version, Dead or Alive ++, not the Model 2 version.

This version also includes the training, Kumite, Survival and Vs modes.

Arcade (Dead Or Alive++)

Another arcade version was released, this time on the PlayStation-based ZN arcade board, and shared a lot of similarities with the PlayStation home release. Each fighter has 4 different costumes to choose from, and a tag match mode has been added. New characters, Bass Armstong and Ayane have been added to this version.

Xbox

This version was based of the original Sega Saturn release but takes advantage of the Xbox hardware. However, id say it pales graphically compared to the Model 2 version which features full 3D background objects, whilst the Xbox version features the static 2D backgrounds (no moving objects in the background, but some textures are animated) the Saturn uses. Still the character’s models and textures are more detailed, and Xbox Live support is included in this port of the game to allow online multiplayer. This has since been shut down following Microsoft discontinuing support for original Xbox Live titles in 2010.

Still, you miss out on Bass Armstrong and Ayane which is an odd omission.

This version of the game is playable on the Xbox One and Series consoles and can be brought online. You can also play on the Xbox 360 with a compatible hard drive.

Conclusion

Dead Or Alive came at a very hard time for Tecmo, who was facing bankruptcy prior to the release, hence the name of Dead Or Alive.

Dead Or Alive would be followed up in 1999, with the release of Dead or Alive 2 for the Dreamcast, and the PlayStation 2. It would be the last game released for the arcades. Future installments would be released on the Xbox exclusively, before returning to multiplatform with Dead or Alive 5.

Netgem TV Games

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Not to be outdone by Youview, Netgem has decided to add a few games to their Freeview TV service. These games can be accessed directly from the TV Guide and are played using the remote control.

A new Games tab can be seen from the main menu, taking you directly to a selection of games on offer, all of which are free (for now, unless they decide to implement pay to play like Sky did)
Like the Youview games they are similar in scope to the Newgrounds Adobe Flash games of the time, but rendered in HD and played using the remote control.

Netgem TV Games

Car Rush

Netgem TV Games - Car Rush

Very similar to Outrun where you have to steer a car around the track with the objective to get to the finish line within the time limit, avoiding the obstacles and navigating the bending track.

Rowing 2 Sculls Challenge

Netgem TV Games - Rowing

A rowing game where you have to press the OK button when your boat passes over a green circle to boost. No steering or button mashing is required, you just press a single button. Despite this timing is crucial, especially on the later levels, it also does not help the framerate takes a hit the more opponents there are on screen, and the remote isn’t exactly tactile so you have to compensate by pressing earlier.

Watercraft RUSH

Netgem TV Games - Watercraft Rush

Well its just Car Rush but with water. I guess this is similar in concept to Nintendo’s Wave Rush, or Namco’s Aqua Jet.

Slalom Ski Simulator

Salom Ski - Netgem TV Games

This ones a bitch to play, mainly due to the uneven frame rate which makes it difficult to anticipate the distance of the upcoming flag. Again its similar to , Cool Boarders, 1080 Snowboarding or Ski Free, where you have to steer and pass through the flags in order to progress to the next level.
Very difficult as mentioned above due to the framerate and unresponsive controls, could be remedied by having three lives instead of a game over every time you miss a flag.

Galatic Maze

Galactic Maze - Netgem TV Games

Set in space, you have to guide your ship using the arrow keys to navigate through the gaps. If you ship hits a wall, it is destroyed and the game is over, you only get one life.

Street Basketball

Street BasketBall - Netgem TV Games

A basketball games where you have to press the Ok button when the basketball indicator reaches in the middle, this game is reliant on your reaction time. Although you can select your character, I don’t think it has any affect on the game play itself.

Christmas Rush

Here you have to guide Santa around the obstacle in order to collect the dropped gifts. A star can be collected with will allow Santa to move faster

City Block

Build a city block, trying to keep it as straight as possible by pressing the OK button. You have to drop the block in the centre of the screen to get the best score.

Nugget Seeker Adventure

Like DigDug, you have to mine your way through the level, collecting the gold nuggets whilst avoiding the enemy diggers who will attack.

Pac-Rat

Pacman with rats

Radioactive Ball

Objective here is to split the ball by pressing the Ok button, but you have to avoid the balls landing on you, which is easier said than done. I think the end goal is to make the balls as small as possible, but I’ve never managed to get past the first level.

Snake

Your typical snake game, eat/collect the dots to increase your score and the size of your snake.

Skeet Challenge

A game where you need to aim and shoot the onscreen skeets, very difficult to aim and score.

Duck Shooter

A duck hunt clone, also this one has the controls intended for a PC keyboard, as it references using the spacebar to shoot. Different birds move at faster speeds which makes it harder to aim and shoot. You also get a bonus for how quick it takes to shoot a duck.

Flags Maniac

A flag memory/knowledge games where you have to match the country to their respective flag.

Solitaire

It’s a solitaire game alright

Ric Tac Toe

You can adjust the grid size from three options 3×3, 5×5 or 7×7. Two players can play, but you have to use the same remote and take turns.

Master Checkers

A checkers game

2048 cuteness edition

Similar to that 2048 game on PlayWorks but with a bunch of animals and that damn ukulele music in the background that sounds like your watching a makeup tutorial.

Goose Game

Objective is to throw the dice with the aim of getting to the finish line first. Upto two players can play, and upto 6 players can be on screen at one, with the remaining being controlled by the CPU. This is one of the best games available on the service purley for the simple gameplay.

Snakes & Ladders

Classic snakes and ladders game, can be played upto 2 players, with 6 players in total being controlled by the CPU.

Conclusion

So its a good start and a nice addition for Netgem’s TV service, but the main let-down is the lack of horse power from the hardware. I’m not sure what SoC Netgem use but it seems to struggle with the more demanding games. The main issue is the remote, this just not designed for gaming with its stiff keys and hollow build quality, a wireless controller might be a better addition.

Telewest Broadband 2004 Guide

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In late 2003, Telewest revised its EPG user interface once again, this time using a more uniform look across the different sections of the service. An electric blue background is now used and the design language follows a cube/box style menu interface, a departure from the list view we are typically accustomed to. In a way is similar to the Metro interface Microsoft had popularised on Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8.

The first release was distributed in 2004, with another release following in 2005 which traded the Front Row PPV functionality with the Teleport VOD service. This was an early Video On Demand service offered by Telewest, similar in concept to what we have today with Netflix but was the replacement of Pay-Per-View movies and events.

As with previous software releases, the interface is written using the Liberate TV navigator middleware, and commonly ran on a Pace Di1000/2000 or 4000 series of set-top-boxes. Scientific Atlanta was also another set-top vendor that Telewest had used with their Explorer 4000DVB. Also, a new silver remote has been provided to new customers, and existing customers if they requested a replacement, this remote bares a resemblance to the Sky remote and has the ability to control the TV volume and power functions.

Along with the new software, the information channel (on channel 890) was amended to showcase the new interface and how to access basic features of the TV service.

TV Guide

The interface employs a box design which was a departure from the previous software version, as well as the typical interfaces used by Sky Digital at the time. The user controls the cursor (Yellow bounding box) and uses this to highlight a menu item to select it. The cursor always starts off in the middle square, allowing the user to use the arrow/directional pad to quickly select an item. Number keys can also be used for shortcuts, even though numbers are not displayed. On the TV Guide example above, pressing 1 would list the Sports channels, pressing 2 would display general channels, 3 for movies, 4 for news, etc…

A reminder can be set during a program for a future event, useful to set a VCR or DVD recorder

A confirmation the reminder has been set

Reminders that have been set will appear in the Reminders section of the TV Guide

Pressing the info button will bring up a short synopsis of the program

On older remotes you can adjust the volume control of the STB output, newer remotes will just use the TV volume control

Viewing a favorite channel

Help

Pressing the help button on the remote brings up a small dialogue box that explains how to navigate the user interface, and how to perform specific tasks.

Pay Per View

Interactive

Interactive microsites were one of the main attractions to cable, and Telewest digital TV platform was built around the functionality of interactive service that could be accessed through the service.

Help information for the various interactive categories

Settings

The main settings window

Parental Control

PIN control was brought forward from the previous software, again the user can control access to specific channels and place restrictions on programs by ratings.

Display & Audio

Amending display and audio settings like the picture output size (toggle between 4:3 or 16:9, with additional two options for letterbox or full-screen for 4:3)

Favorite Channels

Setting channels to be a favorite, there appears to be no specific limit for favorite channels compared to Sky, which was restricted to 20 and later 50 favorite channels.

Teleport VoD

Telewest launched its VoD services in 2005 and began rolling them out across the country. This replaces the Front Row NVOD service which operated in a similar manner to Sky Box Office.

Teleport On-Demand home, with teleport Replay being a catch-up-like service to view programs previously broadcast in the last few days. A useful service since PVR’s were not that common back then.

Selecting a program to play, and entering a PIN to play a restricted or a chargeable program. Everything here is in a list view as opposed to the boxset-like view we are commonly used to.

As the Telewest remote lacks the typical speed controls, you have to use the colour buttons on the remote instead. The Teleport program can be paused, and rewound or fast-forward like a regular DVD or PVR.

Conclusion

Reception to the interface design was mostly positive, with it reflecting Telewest new brand design and identity. This would match their Blueyonder branding for their broadband service and internet portal. This interface was also brought forward to ntl customers following the merger of both companies, with ntl being introduced to the TV Drive PVR.

This interface would later be replaced by the Virgin Media UK2 guide, which would be the final overall until the introduction of Tivo in 2010.

Software update discussion