Following the recent local launch of Nokia’s Ovi store, an evolving media service that consolidates Nokia’s existing content services into a one-stop-shop for free and paid content, Nokia South Africa has delivered on its promise of bringing local content to users by partnering with News24.com to deliver the first local widget.
“Consumers have been calling for local applications and widgets to be made available to enhance their Nokia experience,” says Helen Jarvis, Nokia’s services marketing manager. “News24 is the first local widget which is available for Nokia devices, specifically the Nokia N97, and can be downloaded for free from http://store.ovi.com.”
A widget is essentially a shortcut key which can be downloaded onto a mobile device enabling users to get access to real time content at the touch of a button. According to Jarvis, widgets allow users to experience an ‘always open’ window to their favourite social networking sites and Internet destinations with the added convenience of viewing the shortcut keys on their screen.
“In order to ensure that we continue to offer users a rewarding and sustainable consumer experience, it is crucial that we partner with top local brands such as News24. At Nokia we are committed to providing solutions that allow our consumers to personalise their devices and services according their needs and as a result of this we are constantly looking to collaborate with other best-of-breed partners to make this a reality,” says Jarvis. “Working with News24 has been a very positive experience and we are looking forward to partnering with other key local players in the future.”
Jannie Momberg, News24 Editor says that the availability of the widget on the Nokia N97 enhances News24’s position as South Africa’s leading and most accessible digital news brand. “This widget gives South Africans another convenient channel to access News24’s content and, with the Nokia N97 mobile bringing the internet to users who may not have PC access, the widget offers News24 to an exciting new market segment.
In a bid to answer the call from South Africans for locally developed applications, Nokia launched the “Calling All Innovators” competition in July this year, to which the response has been encouraging. “The competition calls for the development of South African applications and I have no doubt that we will see top class local content developed and made available on the Ovi Store,” says Jarvis. “We have listened to what the consumer is asking for and we are pro-actively addressing this need to give users a content rich experience - The News24 widget is just the first example of this,” she concludes.
The Calling all innovators competition is open to anyone, including mobile and web application developers worldwide, to submit their entries. All applications developed for South Africans and running on Series 40 or Series 60 devices will be considered. Prizes for the competition are in excess of R1,000,000 in cash and winners will have their applications prominently featured on the Ovi store. http://www.callingallinnovators.com/southafrica/
