Appstore, Android Marketplace, Windows Phone 7 Apps – meet your new competitor, the Nokia Ovi Store.
Launched in May 2009, the Ovi Store replaced the defunct Nokia services such as Download!, Widsets and MOSH. It is Nokia’s solution to Nokia phone owner’s clamor for more productivity, multimedia and game downloads for both Nokia Series40 and S60 devices. But, is it picking up compared to its competitors?
Nokia recently announced that its Ovi Store has reached 3 million downloads per day. In October 2010, Nokia claimed that the Ovi Store had 2.3 million downloads per day. The 23% increase in a matter of one month was caused by the surge of 400,000 new developers.
Moreover, the Nokia Qt Software Development Toolkit (SDK) and the Qt SDK combined have been downloaded 1.5 million times as professional developers and hobbyists try to bring great applications to Nokia phone users. With Nokia’s latest S40 and S60 phones, the surge of developers and thousands of applications in the Ovi Store will, without a doubt, bring deals to developers, end-users and of course, to Nokia.
Here are just some of the applications available at the Ovi Store:
- Swype: With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, Swype ’s technology enables users to input words faster and easier.
- NHL GameCenter™ Premium: Keep up with your favorite hockey team by listening to live radio, checking stats and scores, or by watching highlights and condensed games.
- WhatsApp Messenger: A smartphone messaging app that uses 3G or WiFi to connect with friends and family. Switch from SMS to WhatsApp to send and receive messages, pictures, audio notes, and video messages at no cost.
- Gadget Pilipinas – The Gadget Pilipinas Ovi application delivers the latest news, articles and gadget reviews to Ovi compatible Nokia mobile phones on the fly (Wifi or 3G network is required). It is currently available for free in Ovi worldwide.
Break-out information on the most popular regional apps and their developers is available at Forum.Nokia.com.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
