Today (March 30, 2011) I received what may be the final N-Gage-related email ever sent by Nokia.

In the email, Nokia reminds us that its N-Gage Store has been shut down since January 1, 2011, and that March 31, 2011, will be the last day you can activate your games through the store.

Nokia’s business partnership with Microsoft has the potential to really shake up the mobile gaming industry. Nokia’s worldwide popularity, coupled with Microsoft’s software knowledge (and money), will combine to create multiple Windows Phone 7 devices at various price points. It’s quite possible that we’ll see a massive increase in Windows Phone 7 devices over the next few years that will mirror the same growth seen in the Android operating system. Developers know this, and they’re working with Windows Phone 7 more than ever.

Nokia is the perfect example of a company that has fallen from grace. Before the smartphone era, Nokia cell phones were everywhere. If you’re old enough, you may fondly remember having, or seeing your parents use, a candy bar style Nokia cell phone. But over the past few years, Nokia lost its way. The smartphone eruption left Nokia in the dark. As iOS and Android quickly consumed the market, Nokia became somewhat of a relic. The company looks to regain its former glory by announcing a strategic partnership with Microsoft for future smartphones.

It seems like Nokia has finally gotten around to admitting announcing that its mobile phone-handheld gaming platform and service, N-Gage, is dead. Nokia is consolidating all future mobile apps into the Ovi store.

Nokia is essentially forgetting about the N-Gage name, allowing the site, games and N-Gage application to operate on the hardware that will currently run it but not supporting it on any new devices or developing any more games for it. Instead, the company is putting its focus into the Ovi Store and trying to compete with Apple’s App Store. Along those lines, Nokia announced that 200,000 people are signing up for Ovi each day (for 140 million worldwide users) and 2.3 million Ovi apps are being downloaded each day.

So many devices, so few power outlets. If you’ve been to an airport in the last three years you’ve likely noticed that – or even sought out – spots typically reserved for grungy vacuums are now lounging spots for tech totin’ travelers looking for an open wall socket.

That’s where Callpod’s Fueltank Duo portable, rechargeable battery charger can come in quite handy and allow you to find a less uncomfortable place to perch your posterior.

There’s no doubt that the current economic recession is having an impact on the video game industry. Companies are downsizing, consolidating or closing (which means games are getting delayed or canceled), games stores are cutting back and game-related publications are also feeling the pressure. Of course, a recession cannot last forever and the game industry will thrive and continue to evolve

It’s not clear what the long-term affect this “economic downturn” recession will have on the game industry but a few things might be extrapolated from current trends.

Here are a few predictions of game industry-related results that stem from a mix the current economic recession, corporate tendencies and a bit of fantasy. Fee free to post your suppositions in the comments area below.

Title: Star Wars: The force Unleashed MobilePrice: $13.49 (N-gage pricing: 1 Day for $2.99, 7 Days for $6.99, Full Version for $13.49)System(s): Mobile (includes *N-Gage, iPhone, iPod Touch)Release Date: September 16, 2008Publisher (Developer): THQ Wireless (Universomo)ESRB Rating: Not RatedPros: Really nice graphics, classic Star Wars sound effects and innovative CellWeaver control scheme.Cons: Physical design of device’s buttons truly effects the enjoyment and playability. Unskipable cutscenes, Midi soundtrack is instead of MP3. No lightsaber slashing action. Very short.Overall Score: One thumb up, one thumb down; 78/100; C+; * * 1/2 out of five.

For the Mobile version of this much-publicized Star Wars game, the developers took a cue from the DS release and created a unique control scheme based on the physical nature of the system. All the smartphone incarnations of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Mobile rely on the phone’s number pad to tap out patterns to activate various Force powers. On the iPhone and iPod Touch, you use the touchscreen to draw similar patterns.

It’s innovative and sometimes fun but not quite the action-filled, lightsaber slashing game you’d expect from the Star Wars franchise.

Click through for the full review…

Title: Mile High PinballPrice: $9.49 ($2.99 for 1 day, $6.99 for 7 days)System(s): N-GageRelease Date: May 5, 2008Publisher (Developer): Nokia (Ideaworks3D)ESRB Rating: “Everyone”Pros: Nearly endless pinball action. Great sound effects and pretty decent bumper action. Good pinball-on-the-go game.Cons: Some boards feel too congested while others have too few but annoying features. Ranked game only as good as your wireless connection.Overall Score: One thumb up, one thumb sideways; 84/100; B; * * * out of five.

Developed by Ideaworks3D, Mile High Pinball takes that idea to a new extreme offering a tall stack of boards for wannabe wizards to conquer with their thumbs and often, but not always, overcoming the obstacles of a cell phone screen.

Click through for the full review…

The Escapist has announced that it will be holding the 2008 GamerLympics this August. There will be over 20 events taking place over a two week period from August 8-22, 2008. Some of the highlights include Kongregate.com Game matchups taking place each day of the competition, contests, and a “King of the Hill” Reset Generation Nokia N-Gage event.

The first 2008 GamerLympic events begin on August 8, 2008, with a photo contest, a gamer trivia game and Kongregate Game 1. Events will then resume on August 11 and run until the 15, with more Kongregate Games, movie trivia, a haiku contest, a comic contest and voting on the photo contest entries. The last stretch starts August 18 and ends on the 22nd, with comic contest voting, haiku contest voting, Kongregate Games, Reset Gen event and TV trivia all taking place the final week.

While the ill-fated N-Gage phone/handheld gaming device quietly disappeared into the night, Nokia has brought back the name as a mobile gaming service. While gamers have every right to be skeptical, it looks as though the service will have at least one big name title behind it.

N-Gage will be home to Japanese publisher Konami’s mobile titles including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Mobile. The game takes place between the first two Metal Gear Solid titles, and features some surprisingly good 3D visuals and what look like classic…