Nokia to N-gage with software developers on Ovi platform


16 Mar 2009

Nokia is planning to start building relationships with Irish software developers to create applications for the Ovi apps store, particularly in the area of Series 60 handsets.

Nokia Ireland country manager Alan O’Hara told siliconrepublic.com that the world’s biggest mobile manufacturer is preparing to have initial talks with developers, and key Ovi staff will embark on a fact-finding mission and will present to developers.

“It’s early days, but we recognise it is something we need to build on here,” he said, referring to the depth of software talent in Ireland that could lend itself to the burgeoning software applications field.

“We’re building Ovi.com into a one-stop-shop for services from mapping to business software, in tandem with our Comes with Music efforts,” O’Hara said.

He said that Nokia’s Comes with Music service will launch in the Irish market in the coming months.

O’Hara added that the major music labels have been working closely with Nokia in terms of the digital rights management (DRM) and licensing issues, and that they are quite excited about the impending launch.

“We want to launch Comes with Music in Ireland at the right time, and that means having the right product portfolio,” he said, referring to Nokia’s launch of the 5800 XpressMusic on 2 March and the global launch last week of the 5730 XpressMusic (pictured), the 5330 XpressMusic and 5030 XpressRadio phone.

By John Kennedy

Pictured: the Nokia 5730 XpressMusic phone, which was launched globally last week