Nokia announces Nokia Music Store for South Africa

[Belix]

Nokia today announced its intention to bring the Nokia Music Store to South Africa. The store, which will open its virtual doors on the 24th of April 2009, promises to deliver millions of digital tracks from global hits to local artists including the Parletones, Goldfish and Arno Carstens.

“Not only will we have millions of tracks available for consumers, but we will have something for everyone, whatever their music tastes. The store will feature a broad range of genres including popular and non-mainstream genres, independent artists and most importantly, a wide selection of South African artists,” said Jake Larsen, Nokia’s head of music for Middle East and Africa. “In addition, the Nokia Music Store will offer a host of interactive features such as music browsing and personal track recommendations.”

With a single account, South African music lovers will be able to access the Nokia Music Store via their personal computer or directly from their optimised Nokia devices including the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia N96, Nokia N95 8GB, Nokia N81 8GB, Nokia N82 and the Nokia N79.

In addition, the ability to sync from a PC is available on a wider range of Nokia models including the latest XpressMusic handset, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.

The store’s intuitive user-interface makes downloading full-length tracks easy and offers options to create customised playlists and to add tracks on a wishlist that you can decide to buy later. Tracks purchased can also be transferred via your PC to compatible Nokia devices. The music collection can then simply be synchronised between the PC and a mobile using the Nokia music PC client available for download at http://music.nokia.com/download or from the product software CD available in the latest devices’ sales packs.

All music on the Nokia Music Store can be purchased through a variety of payment options, including credit cards and pre-paid vouchers.

South Africa is the 15th country to see a local launch of the Nokia Music Store. Most recently the store was launched in Austria, Mexico, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

Wonder what format the donwloads are in? I'm thinking WMA with DRM which means they can stick it.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Forgive my stupid question here, but will this require you to own a Nokia device?

[Anakha56]

Only Nokia Devices DJV, just viewed the site now...

[DarkStar]

http://europe.nokia.com/A41457012

You can also play tracks downloaded from Nokia Music Store on many other portable music players. The audio file format used is Windows Media Audio (WMA), and the tracks are protected by Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WM DRM). If you’re not sure whether your player is compatible, simply download the free track from the main banner area on the Nokia Music Store homepage and transfer to your device using Nokia Music on the PC.

For more information on how to transfer music from your PC to a mobile device, refer to the PC help section. For more information about DRM, see Microsoft DRM page.

[SBSP]

I dont understand
"you must use a nokia to download."

tracks are protected by Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WM DRM)

?

Meaining its protected and only usable on the device used to download ? But you can

You can also play tracks downloaded from Nokia Music Store on many other portable music players.

Help me right here

[Anakha56]

After you have bought and downloaded it to your Nokia device you can then use PC Suite to back it up and then play it on your PC/Ipod/Car sound system. YOu just need the Nokia device for the download...

[SBSP]

Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WM DRM)

Unless you need a N suite plugin that intergrates with media player

[Belix]

Seems you don't need a nokia to download tracks. but it seems only nokia phones, as apposed to other makes, can download it mobile. Just need an app. Still got DRM though
http://music.nokia.co.za

[Tribble]

Ah - but if you buy the CD and rip it - you can play the music anywhere, even on you non Nokia phone

[Stuart]

Ah - but if you buy the CD and rip it - you can play the music anywhere, even on you non Nokia phone

but then you have to leave the safety of your own home and go into the wild ...

some of us haven't been outside for years!

[Tribble]

Stuart, you don't venture outdoors? Shame - poor mousey. There is nothing better than going out and purchasing new music (well games are pretty cool to buy too). You should hire a bodyguard or two - and give it a try.