The Gadget Blog » Ovi

Last Day to Download Free App from Ovi

Rico Mossesgeld — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:51:29 +0000

For owners of any Symbian S60 5th edition phone (Nokia’s 5530, 5800, or N97): today’s the last day Playlist DJ can be downloaded from store.ovi.com for free!

The app promises the ability to build playlists based on the “moods” you set on the app’s sliders. Obviously, you can download through a computer or on your phone itself.

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Please Improve Your Software Nokia

Rico Mossesgeld — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:00:29 +0000

Here’s a key to getting more people to adopt Nokia’s software (and in turn, the Ovi suite of online services):

Running the Ovi Suite installer of the Nokia N97, it’s clear that Nokia’s PC software could use improvement. A lot of improvement.

At first glance, it’s nice to see the installer provide the user with some options during setup. Install Nokia Photos? Leave out Nokia Music? But in hindsight, this approach—separating the various facilities into different applications—does not work. Not only does it come off as cumbersome (What, I have to install all of this?!), it lets users potentially miss out on functionality required to maximize their phones.

The rant/article continues on Philippine-affiliate Technograph.

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Nokia Ovi Store: How it Works

Rico Mossesgeld — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:18:03 +0000

It’s apparently taken a while, but it seems Nokia is finally going all out to promote its Ovi Store to customers and developers alike, making videos and other introductory content available through YouTube and its Conversations blog. Here’s a slick video summarizing the whole upload-content-and-make-money process:

If you’re not into watching videos right now, continue reading for a point-by-point summary of said video.

Ovi Store will launch in May 2009
Content providers need to register as publishers at publish.ovi.com
The store will support single-purchase content; no recurring charges or subscriptions!
ForumNokia.com = resource for developers
Supported content: Java, Symbian, Flash Lite, Web Runtime Widgets, “Link Items”, Audio, Video, Ringtones (last three are only for Nokia’s one-to-one partners, further details
Primarily supported devices: S40 and S60 gadgets

Applications will required Symbian Signed certification. Java apps require Java Verified status (see below)

Developers receive 70% less taxes and fixed-operator chargers

Providers who worked with download.nokia.com won’t be left in the dark

Personally, I think the easiest method of entry for content providers into the Ovi store is through themes and wallpapers. Creating them are a lot easier than developing apps and submitting them for Java Verified and Symbian Signed certifications. Those two processes are actually a concern for me; from all indications they can be unnecessary roadblocks to developers. Youtube commenter vprise said it well:

I was hoping that Java Verified will not be a requirement, we are signed by Verisign but a Java Verified process will make our production costs far more expensive which will end up costing to the users and hurting the platforms accessibility…
Please Nokia pay attention to the highest selling segment in the Apple app store: the $1 applications… This price point might not be feasible with Java Verified.

Another challenge for Nokia? Let’s see if they steal some thunder from the iPhone platform, the current darling of US-centric consumer electronics journalism.

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