Nokia today unveiled new services and cell phones that customers can use to download music and play games, a bid by the world's largest mobile phone maker to challenge Apple's higher-end iPhone, as well as iTunes and the iPod. 
With millions of tracks from major artists, independent labels as well as local hits, the Nokia Music Store offers people the chance to enjoy music directly on their Nokia device or personal computer.
With a single account, music lovers can access the Nokia Music Store via their desktop computer or directly from optimized Nokia devices beginning with the Nokia N81 and Nokia N95 8GB. Users can browse for new music, get recommendations or search for their favorite artists, songs or albums all from the palm of their hand. Consumers can add it to their wishlist to buy later or purchase it immediately for download to the device without having to download the same song again on the computer. They can also transfer purchased songs via the PC to compatible Nokia devices, including the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic and Nokia 5610 XpressMusic.
The Nokia Music Store is opening across key European markets this fall with additional stores in Europe and Asia opening over the coming months. Individual tracks will cost EUR 1.00 and albums from EUR 10.00, with a monthly subscription for PC streaming for EUR 10.00.
With millions of tracks from major labels, as well as thousands of independent labels from around the world, users can be sure to find music to match their mood. In addition, the Nokia Music Store aims to provide more locally relevant music than any other digital music store. If they want to see what others are enjoying, the Nokia Music Store provides a dynamic recommendations engine as well as genre-based instant playlists.
Tracks are typically delivered in high quality 192 kbps audio in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Users can transfer purchased songs to a Nokia device using Windows Media Player or with the new Nokia Music PC client available later this year. The Nokia Music PC client enables reverse synchronization of playlists, ripping from a CD to the device and PC simultaneously, as well as auto-synchronization of purchased music and direct access to the Nokia Music Store. With the Nokia N81 and its integrated music player, users can create playlists and manage music collection, including editing song and artist information, as well as adding a choice of album artwork.
"From the compact Nokia 5310 XpressMusic music phone to the fully-featured Nokia N81 multimedia computer, Nokia offers a range of entertainment-enabled devices for consumers who want their music, games and favourite media with them wherever they go," says Kai Oistamo, Executive Vice President, Nokia. "We believe these full-featured, well-designed devices will be very popular and will help bring Nokia's Internet and music services to life."
Each device offers dedicated music or gaming keys, expanded memory, large screens and extended battery performance to provide quick and easy access to entertainment content. The devices range in price from 225 to 560 EUR and are expected to begin shipping later this year.
Nokia N81 and Nokia N81 8GB
With dedicated music and gaming keys, 3.5 mm headphone connector and 3G and WLAN connectivity, the Nokia N81 multimedia computer is a true mobile entertainment powerhouse. With a sleek, polished surface and keys that light up when you activate them, accessing content on the 3D multimedia menu is fast and intuitive. Equally impressive, the Nokia N81 is configured to find, buy, manage and play music and games purchased from the Nokia Music Store and N-Gage games service. The estimated retail price of the Nokia N81 is 360 EUR before subsidies or taxes. The Nokia N81 8GB is expected to retail for 430 EUR before subsidies or taxes. Both versions are expected to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2007.
