Business | Technology
UAE becomes 12th country to go live with Nokia Music Store
Facility will deliver more than one million tracks from global hits to works by local artistes.
- By Naushad K. Cherrayil, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:34 December 1, 2008
- Individual tracks on the Nokia Music Store cost Dh3 and albums cost Dh30.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Dubai: The UAE has become the 12th country in the world to go live with Nokia Music Store.
The facility, a part of the OVI, is an online music service that will deliver more than a million tracks from global hits to local artists and provide consumers the freedom to enjoy music at their fingertips.
Everything works with one user interface, giving people the opportunity to connect to the music they want, in the way they want.
"We selected UAE as the first country among the Arab world as the internet penetration rate of 50 per cent is the highest among the region and usage of credit card is put at 73 per cent, which is also highest among the region, while e-commerce services in general are mature," said Ayman Chalhoub, business manager, Music, Nokia Middle East and Africa.
Shift
"The shift to digital is happening in the UAE too. We are witnessing a decline in traditional music mediums such as cassette and CD players, with a clear shift to PC, MP3, and mobile device usage.
"In fact, according to our research, 80 per cent of regular mobile and internet users in the UAE are using their mobile device to listen to music, with half of them doing so on a daily basis." he said.
Individual tracks on the Nokia Music Store cost Dh3 and albums cost Dh30. The online store also offers a monthly subscription for PC streaming for Dh20 per month. All music can be purchased using UAE credit cards.
With a single account, music lovers can access the Nokia Music Store via their desktop computer using the latest Nokia Music for PC software, which can be downloaded for free from http://music.nokia.ae.
The software allows users to manage their music, create playlists, and synchronise their music library with their Nokia device.
Access to the store can also be done directly from a compatible Nokia device such as Nokia N79, the N85, N96, E66, E71, and the soon to arrive Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.
Music is provided by all major international and regional labels, including Universal, Sony BMG, Warner, EMI, Rotana and leading content aggregator Qanawat, as well as thousands of independent labels.
"We are aiming to satisfy the needs of users with a simple service that is easily accessible, offering the most comprehensive catalogue of artists, thought of by and for Italian music enthusiasts," said Tom Erskine, head of sales, Music, Nokia.
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