Nokia jumps headlong into services

Nokia is to launch a range of mobile and fixed internet services, including music, games and GPS navigation, under the 'Ovi' brand.

Ovi, which means 'door' in Finnish, will act as a gateway to a series of services and content.

Nokia's announcement follows several recent hints that the firm was moving into the services arena, including its recent acquisition of social networking site Twango and an alliance with Microsoft's PlayDRM.

"The industry is converging towards internet-driven experiences and Ovi represents Nokia's vision in combining the internet and mobility," said Nokia chief executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.

"We started this journey with our navigation services earlier this year and we are now combining all our services into a single branded offering.

"Over the coming 12 months, you will see us integrate new user interface elements, service suites and web communities to Ovi."

As part of Ovi, Nokia announced the Nokia Music Store which will launch in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year.

The company also touted the relaunch of N-Gage as N-Gage Arena, a gaming platform rather than a series of dedicated handheld gaming devices.

Although the service currently works only with N-Gage mobile game consoles, it will be extended to support other Nokia devices.

Nokia Maps, the handset giant's navigation application, will also fall under the Ovi umbrella.

All of the services will be offered via a single account, allowing subscribers to purchase and manage music, games or other content through their PC or mobile phone without having to worry about separate details for each configuration.

"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," said Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president and general manager of multimedia at Nokia.

"With Nokia Music Store and N-Gage you can access the best in music and games directly from your Nokia Nseries multimedia computer."

Ovi will feature an integrated sliding menu user interface, similar to Apple's iPhone.

When questioned about the similarity, Kallasvuo said: "If we copy we copy with pride, and when we invent we invent with the same pride."

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