When Nokia announced its upcoming Ovi Store last month at the 2009 Mobile World Congress, we got plenty of information about the content and how easy it will be for developers to get their applications and other content listed in the store. We also got plenty of information about the new recommendations engine, and how that will make applications into social objects. However, like me, several of you had other questions about how exactly this store would work.
I submitted a few questions to Nokia, to see if we could get some more clarification on them, and have just received the answers. Hopefully, this will clarify some of the questions floating around about the Ovi Store:
Symbian-Guru: Will the Ovi Store also have a desktop client/access, perhaps attached to the Ovi Suite?
Nokia: There will be an Ovi Store website, but not a desktop client. The Ovi Store website will not be enabled as a transaction platform, instead content will be pushed to your phone and the consumer will choose how to pay with either operator billing or credit card.
Symbian-Guru: Will the Ovi Store on my device automatically alert me of new versions of my downloaded software and update them on my device?
Nokia: Ovi Store is about redefining the discover experience and new versions of the software will be updated via the Ovi Store.
Symbian-Guru: Will the purchased software be attached to a single device/IMEI (a la N-Gage) or to my Nokia Account? If I get a new device, either via warranty claim or if I just buy a new phone, will I have to re-buy all my applications?
Nokia: When Ovi Store launches in early May, consumers will begin downloading media and as the service continues to evolve, a ‘switch’ capability will be available to transfer the bought media and rediscover new, highly relevant content on the new device utilizing the consumers physical location and social connections.
Symbian-Guru: Will there be a regional rollout, like Nokia Music (we’re still getting the shaft in the U.S. on that one, btw), or will it be instantly everywhere, like Nokia Maps or N-Gage?
Nokia: The xhtml browser version in English will be available globally at launch with credit card billing. Localized operator and credit card billing will be available in Australia, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, UK and US. The Ovi Store will support Italian, German, Spanish, English and Russian languages for the consumer launch.
So there you have it. Personally, I’m rather satisfied with these answers. It really sounds like the Ovi Store will be a great way to not only find new applications, but a great way to keep up with the applications that you’ve got.
