N-Gage And Ovi Contacts Come To N97

Checked the software updater app on the N97 today, and was pleasantly suprised to see there was an update for the N-Gage app as well as the Ovi Contacts.

N-Gage
At first glance, the application looks a bit dated. Almost as if Nokia took the first version of the new N-Gage and dressed it a touch friendly shell for the N97. Then I tried couple of games and although they don't exactly make full use of the N97's larger screen, the updated game controls work quite well. It will be exciting to see the N-Gage app grow and evolve alongside Nokia's touch UI. It will be equaly exciting (if not more) to see future games take advantage of the larger touchscreen and magnetometer in the N97.

Ovi Contacts
I don't know much about Ovi Contacts, but it looks like a promising social app that fits perfectly for the N97. However, I still wonder why anyone would create an Ovi account, have to invite all their friends, and hope you get a fraction of your contacts to join in. There are just too many social networks and other social tools out there that does about the same thing as Ovi Contacts. We have Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and more. Don't get me wrong, it's good to see Nokia stying consistent with the whole Ovi idea. I sincerely hope Ovi Contacts brings some original social offerings, because that's what it will take to attract enough people to make it popular.