Nokia launches online music store to rival Apple iTunes

Nokia Australia has launched its local online store with an exclusive live album from The John Butler Trio. According to the vendor, the site will feature millions of downloadable files from Australian and international artists.

“We have something for everyone, whatever their music tastes,” said Shaun Colligan, general manager, Nokia Australia. “Australian consumers can be confident that the Nokia Music Store will have a broad range of genres including popular and non-mainstream genres and independent artists.”

Australian veteran singer Jimmy Barnes has been recruited to recommend music to store visitors, claimed Colligan. The site also features an exclusive track by Pete Murray and Kate Miller-Heidke as well as a free download each week – the first is a song from Stone Parade, the winner of Nokia’s Be Heard competition in 2007.

“We want to be the most locally relevant music store and will feature artists such as The John Butler Trio, The Presets, Pete Murray, Kate Miller Heidke, Powderfinger, Silverchair, Lior … and many more,” said Colligan.

The Nokia Music Store can be accessed through a personal computer or selected Nokia devices including the Nokia N95 8GB, Nokia N81 8GB and the N82.
Nokia Australia claimed the ability to sync from a PC is available on a wider range of Nokia models including Xpress Music handsets, Nokia 5610 and Nokia 5310.

Other features include the ability to create customised playlists and add tracks to a 'wishlist' that consumers can purchase at a later date.

The price of individual tracks will be $1.70 each and albums will start at $17. For $10 per month PC users can sign up to a monthly subscription and stream an unlimited number of tracks, claimed the vendor.