Nokia to unveil new web and mobile APIs

Nokia announced it will release a series of new Ovi APIs in an effort to make it easier for web publishers and developers to more efficiently create applications with integrated services and native-like user interfaces. At its annual Nokia World conference in Stuttgart, Germany, the handset giant said it will progressively introduce web and mobile APIs for its services, initially releasing the Ovi Maps Player API and the Ovi Navigation Player API to bolster location solution development across its smartphones. While the Ovi Maps Player API features over 180 country maps, location-based search, detailed place information and vector-based maps with a range of views, the Ovi Navigation Player API allows developers to add walk and drive navigation features to their applications, including pedestrian navigation, turn-by-turn car navigation and route planning.

Nokia also will release the Ovi SDK beta, providing tools to develop applications for the web as well as the Symbian and Maemo platforms. The Ovi SDK Beta contains the Ovi APIs and all-new Ovi User Interface libraries.

In related news, Nokia named St. Paul, Minn.-based Primordial the Apps on Maps category winner in its 2009 Calling All Innovators global mobile developer competition. Primordial's Ground Guidance, a location-based application based on technology originally built for the U.S. Army, earned $30,000 and other prizes. 

For more on Nokia's new APIs:
- read this release

Related articles:
Nokia delays Comes With Music's U.S. launch to 2010
Nokia extends financial services to developing markets