Nokia continues Ovi web services push

At the Nokia World 2008 event in Barcelona, Nokia announced the launch of the N97 mobile computer as well as new integrated data services including Maps on Ovi and Mail on Ovi, continuing the handset giant's push into the web services market. The Nokia N97 targets Internet-savvy consumers via integrated A-GPS sensors and an electronic compass--according to Nokia, the device updates social networks automatically with real-time information, enabling users to change their status, share their location and upload photos and videos for approved friends. The Nokia N97 also boasts a 3.5-inch touch display with a full QWERTY keyboard, a 16:9 widescreen display personalized with widgets, a 5-Megapixel camera and support for up to 48 GB of storage.

Maps on Ovi, the latest incarnation of the Nokia Maps service, enables users to pre-plan travel at home on their PC and synchronize their itinerary with their mobile device, offering on-the-go access to pre-planned routes and favorite destinations. New features include high-resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks for 216 cities and terrain maps, new route overviews and premium turn-by-turn car navigation guidance. Nokia Maps also includes immediate access to real-time data like camera alerts, safety spots and traffic information for selected countries, as well as Wcities event guides, which offer real-time updates for movies and nightlife in over 450 destinations.

Mail on Ovi extends consumer email and IM solutions to Nokia devices, enabling mobile access to Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail and Google Talk, and AOL Mail as well as email solutions from thousands of ISPs worldwide. The online Mail on Ovi portal will also enable PC users to create and access Ovi email accounts and other Ovi services via single sign-on account. The beta version of Mail on Ovi will roll out this month in 12 languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Hindi, Bengali and Tagalog, with others to be added later--the web access version will launch in February.

For more on Nokia's newest device and services:
- read this release

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