Nokia’s Ovi Store Downloads Hit 3 Million a Day as Developer Support Surges

18 November 2010

More than 400,000 new developers in past 12 months; 92 developers each top 1 million download mark; 1.5 million downloads of Qt software development toolkits 

Nokia today announced that its Ovi Store has reached 3 million downloads per day, a milestone spurred by overall global demand and a recent update that gives users of Nokia’s new Symbian smartphone family a friendlier look and feel as well as more popular apps and games. The company is also gaining significant software developer momentum with more than 400,000 new developers joining Forum Nokia in the past 12 months, and 92 surpassing the million download milestone for their apps.

“Ovi Store is on a strong trajectory fueled by new apps and games from a growing number of partners and more than 200,000 new consumers signing up for Ovi every day,” said Gerard Brandjies, general manager, Nokia South Africa.  “The number of daily downloads has increased from 2 million to 3 million since September globally.  We anticipate our progress will continue as we have just begun shipping our new Symbian smartphones.”

In related news, the Nokia Qt Software Development Toolkit (SDK) and the Qt SDK combined have been downloaded 1.5 million times as developers discover this approach can improve the speed and efficiency of creating apps for mobile devices, including smartphones such as the new Nokia N8, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6-01, which are shipping, and the recently announced Nokia E7.  In a strategic move last month, Nokia announced unified application development around the Qt framework to simplify creating apps for Symbian-based devices and products that will be powered by the new MeeGo operating system. Developer video testimonials for the Qt framework are available at Forum.Nokia.com.

“From a South African perspective, we are seeing more local developers developing apps for Ovi and with operator billing available, we are also seeing more downloads of paid for apps as it is easy for consumers to make a purchase,” says Brandjies.

The most downloaded apps and games in South Africa developed for the Nokia N8 include, DSTV Mobile, Opera Mobile Browser, Accuweather, Whatsapp, Snaptu, News24, Marble Maze, Need for Speed Shift HD, Cube Touch XXL, AngryBirds Lite and AngryBirds.

The most downloaded apps and games in South Africa developed for all Nokia devices are Snaptu, Skype

Locago, Shazam, eBuddy and in terms of games are High Speed 3d, Zum Zum, The Train Defender, Farm Frenzy and Gems XXL

Examples of popular and creative new Symbian smartphone content on Ovi Store include:

• Swype: With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, Swype ’s technology enables users to input words faster and easier.
• NHL GameCenter™ Premium: Keep up with your favorite hockey team by listening to live radio, checking stats and scores, or by watching highlights and condensed games.
• WhatsApp Messenger: A smartphone messaging app that uses 3G or WiFi to connect with friends and family. Switch from SMS to WhatsApp to send and receive messages, pictures, audio notes, and video messages at no cost.

Since Nokia began shipments of its new Symbian smartphones, starting with the Nokia N8 on Sept. 30 of this year, the top downloaded free app globally was Q Torch, a utility app that turns your device into a flashlight, by CellApp Technology of India (also among top three in Europe, India and Southeast Asia/Pacific); the top downloaded paid app was Angry Birds, the smash hit game, by Rovio Mobile of Finland (also among top three in North America, Southeast Asia/Pacific and Europe) and the third most popular item downloaded globally was Need for Speed Shift HD, a game that delivers the thrill of high-performance racing by EA Mobile of the U.S. (also among top three in Central and South America, and Southeast Asia/Pacific).

Break-out information on the most popular regional apps and their developers is available at Forum.Nokia.com. 

• Category: Services
• Tags: downloads, applications, store, ovi, apps