Nokia vs. Apple ... the story

Although large, with the weekend coming up, I can recommend reading this article from Michael Mace's blog about the upcoming battle between Apple and Nokia.

Music store integration

The iTunes software and iPhone is a good duo: The integration works perfect and allows the user to add things to the phone easily, while it allows Apple an easy way to add features, upgrade software, and sell optional goodies, be it future software, games, ring tones, etc. No other phone manufacturer has achieved this sort of integration, and it looks like it is difficult to achieve.

Sony and its Walkman brand had a music store but after little more than 3 years, Sony Connect will be closed in the near future - mainly due to lack of success. It offered a rather closed system to a small audience, and it eventually did not reach the tipping point.

At the same time, we are hearing news of Nokia opening a door called Ovi. Supposedly it is the gateway to "a new Internet service for Nokia users to access music, games, maps, guides, synchronize information and network with friends using their devices and/or the PC", according to Gizmodo. I think I like to sound of it. An N95 with 8Gb of memory looks like a great companion to this new initiative from Nokia.

As I said, it is not easy to achieve something that Apple has. Nokia has a large user base, it has capital and ideas. Just maybe this thing can take off. I hope so ... competition is good.

Nokia advances in Connecting People

All about symbian reports that Mosh from Nokia is in full beta now. You can sign up on its site.

After launching the Jaiku S60 client about two months ago, news of acquiring Twango a month ago, and this news about Mosh, it is obvious that Nokia is serious about connecting people.

Mosh is a site that allows you to create content, organise favorites, and share it via your PC or mobile phone with the rest of the community. Combining this service with the powerful Nokia phones, for example, really enables you to connect with others on the move.

Nokia is still alive...

With all that talk about the iPhone, it is easy to forget about the other mobile phone manufacturers. After all, it is clear that at this moment in time, and for the foreseeable future, Apple seems to have the upperhand in terms of UI design and platform integration.

The following article, though, shows that Nokia is certainly still alive. The closed business model Apple is relying on in the US will give them good revenue streams there, but I doubt that it will work that well in the growing markets of China and India. Moreover, Nokia's wider product range enables them to better meet different needs.

Of course, comparing the iPhone with Nokia, is like comparing apples and oranges.