How to Run the Ovi Store App on the N95-3 NAM (and Why You Might Not Want To)

It’s been three weeks since Nokia’s Ovi App Store launched.  I figured that it was time to go back and take a look at how the store was evolving.  By now the opening day rush would be over and the traffic related availability problems that some users reported resolved.  I also wanted to see if the store’s rather bare selves were filling up. But first I made a determined attempt to get the Ovi Store App to install on my … Continue reading

Java Verified Not An Ovi Store Requirement After All!

At S60Blogs, which is published by Nokia, Aleksi Uotila has clarified that Java Verified certification is NOT a requirement for Java ME applications to be accepted in the Ovi Store.  Apps must still pass Java Verified test criteria and do need to be signed with a Verisgn or Thawte certificate, but testing by an independent test house while recommended, is not required.  Nokia will apparently do the testing themselves at no charge to the developer. There’s a discussion of what … Continue reading

Ovi Store Live!

This morning when I refreshed the Download application on my Nokia N95-3 (NAM) I was greeted by the new Ovi Store icon.  Clicking it launched the browser and took me to store.ovi.mobi. Initially the site was very slow and timed out a couple of times but now two hours later it seems fine with snappy page loads and quick searches. The desktop version of the store at store.ovi.com still seems to be suffering from first day overload  with frequent hangs … Continue reading

Nokia N900 – It’s a Phone Not a MID

There’s one handheld device electronic device that I use quite a bit that’s not a mobile phone, it’s a circa 2003 Sharp Zaurus C860 (image below).  This Japanese market-only device was sold as a PDA but is in fact a mini-notebook.  It runs a Linux kernel with a QT user interface. Easily converted  to English it’s also a hacker’s dream with wide open hardware and software. I use mine for mobile blogging at events and while traveling. The Zaurus has … Continue reading

Ovi Store Soft Launches

Reports are starting to appear on the web of users seeing the new Ovi app, themes and ringtones store on their phones. So far it’s been sighted in Australia, Ireland and Singapore. Early reports  indicate that there is only a small selection of apps available so far.  Nokia promises that the store will  have over 2000 items when it fully launches. The launch was confirmed on Nokia’s Conversations blog in a story that was later pulled but is still visible … Continue reading

Ovi App Store Details

I went to an Ovi App Store developers event at Nokia’s Silicon Valley office in Mountain View yesterday. It was time well spent with  informative presentations, good food and drink and the chance to meet and grill some of the Forum Nokia staff about just how the Ovi App Store will work. I didn’t get all my questions answered but I learned a lot and I have new respect for the Ovi Store initiative and Nokia’s commitment to supporting and … Continue reading

Ovi App Store Presentation in Mt. View Today

I’m going to an Ovi App Store presentation today in the Silicon Valley.  I’m hoping to learn more about the program; how it will work for developers, what the store will look like for users on different devices, timeline for rollout, etc. What I’ve heard: Both free and paid apps will be accepted Initially the store will be available on the N97 only, eventually it will be extended to most S60 and S40 devices. Users can pay with a credit … Continue reading