Nokia on Monday unveiled its online software and media store. The idea behind is probably to replicate the runaway success of Apple’s App Store. The company announced the move on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress trade fair in Barcelona.

As Google and Apple entered the mobile world, the focus is more on software development now. Even telecom operator Orange has planned to launch an online store from May across Europe. Microsoft has already launched an “online bazaar”.

The online store by Nokia will be known as ‘Ovi‘. Ovi stores will be opened in nine countries in May. The first model that will be shipped along with access to the store would be N97.

Facebook and MySpace, the social networking sites are among the partners of the store.

Apple’s App Store is very popular with iPhone users. Developers design the programs and these are sold through the store. These programs can be downloaded by the users. According to Apple, last month 15,000 applications were available and in the last six months total 500 million downloads were done by the users.

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