Nokia rolls new Internet service called Ovi

MUMBAI: Nokia has launched its new Internet services brand called Ovi. With the introduction of Ovi, Nokia is expanding from a focus on mobile devices to offering a range of Internet services. Ovi, meaning ‘door’ in Finnish, enables consumers to easily access their existing social network, communities and content, as well as acting as a gateway to Nokia services.

As part of Ovi, Nokia announced the Nokia Music Store and N-Gage, two services that make it easy for people to discover, try and buy music and games from a blockbuster range of artists and publishers, including exclusive content only available through Nokia. Also under the Ovi umbrella is Nokia Maps, a navigation service that offers maps, city guides and more directly to compatible mobile devices. Nokia is also planning to bring more Internet based services to Ovi in the coming months.

Speaking at the Nokia Go Play event in London, Nokia president and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo presented Ovi and the new Nokia services for consumers, and spoke about the company’s future plans as an Internet company. Kallasvuo said, “The industry is converging towards Internet driven experiences and Ovi represents Nokia’s vision in combining the Internet and mobility. Nokia is the number one mobile device company in the world. Looking into the future, we will deliver great devices, combined with compelling experiences and services, to make it easy for people to unlock the potential of the Internet.”

“We started this journey with our navigation services earlier this year and we are now combining all our services into a single branded offering – Ovi by Nokia. Over the coming 12 months, you will see us integrate new user interface elements, service suites and web communities to Ovi,” added Kallasvuo.

The first version of Ovi.com is scheduled to go live in English during the fourth quarter of 2007 and additional features and languages expected to go live during the first half of 2008.

“We know that people want integrated access to great content without the constraints of having to sit behind a computer or in front of a TV. With the Nokia Music Store and N-Gage services, you can access the best in music and games directly from your Nokia Nseries multimedia computer. We expect the mobile device to become the most popular platform – the ‘fourth screen’ – for enjoying your digital content. Ovi brings our Internet services vision to life, where people can create, share and consume facts, feelings and emotions wherever and whenever,” said Nokia Multimedia executive vice president and general manager Anssi Vanjoki.