NEWS: Nokia makes it easier for developers

GERMANY(Stuttgart): Nokia has made it easier for web publishers and developers to create applications quickly for the Web and smartphone platforms by using the Ovi SDK Beta and Ovi APIs.

The company said that its Ovi SDK (software development kit) Beta is an easy-to-use, web-based toolbox that provides tools to create applications for the Web, Symbian and Maemo platforms. It contains the Ovi APIs (application programming interface) and new Ovi User Interface (UI) libraries to create rich applications.

The Ovi SDK Beta uses standard web technologies that are familiar among the developer community, Nokia said. These include HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript (JS) programming languages.

“The Ovi APIs, on the other hand, provide developers with an easier way to integrate service features such as maps or navigation to their web applications,” Nokia executive vice-president of services Niklas Savander said at the recent Nokia World 09 conference.

Maps lead the way

Nokia also introduced the Ovi Maps Player API and Ovi Navigation Player API at the event.

The Ovi Maps Player API is designed to bring maps to mobile and web applications effortlessly. It features over 180 country maps, location-based search and detailed place information.

The other features include vector-based maps that give a range of views, including map, terrain and 3D modes for dynamic map mash-ups.

The Ovi Navigation Player API allows developers to bring Nokia’s walk and drive navigation features to their applications including pedestrian navigation, turn-by-turn car navigation and route planning.

Nokia said it is inviting developers to join the Ovi for Developers beta programme on the Forum Nokia Developer Community website (www.forum.nokia.com/Ovi), and will make the Ovi SDK Beta and Ovi APIs available to them.

Applications created with Ovi SDK and Ovi APIs will be distributed through the Ovi Store in 2010. Nokia has already been working with partners such as Lonely Planet, Deutsche Bahn, Associated Press, Qype and National Geographic to create example applications using the Ovi SDK Beta and Ovi APIs.

Music interrupted?

On another matter, Nokia said that both its X3 and X6 music mobile phones will only be available to consumers with the Comes with Music service. This means you cannot buy the mobile phone without subscribing to the Comes with Music service.

“With this service, users can download all the music they want quickly and easily for free for 12 or 18 months, according to the Comes with Music service terms in the specific country,” said Nokia vice-president of category management for Live category Tuula Rytila-Uotila.

“The Comes With Music service is available in 9 countries including Singapore and Australia,” she added.

Nokia has not made any announcements on additional markets for the Comes with Music service, but the company said it views Malaysia as a very important market for this service. The X3 and X6 (bundled with Comes With Music) are expected to retail at 115 euros and 450 euros respectively.

Besides this service, Nokia also has the Nokia Music Store, which is available in 21 countries, including Malaysia. Here, the Nokia Music Store offers an a la carte music purchasing model — by tracks or albums.