The Ins and Outs of Nokia's Download! and Catalogs

For awhile now I've been concerned about the available content to the US market when it came to Nokia's Download! and Catalogs application.  I was starting to think whats the point of having it take up space on my device if there isn't sufficient content.  I also blamed the carriers for the issue, since they have been most of the blame for things not working in the past.

While in Chicago I played around with the N76 and E90, which already had sim cards in them from Finnish carrier Elisa.  Being the curious person that I am, I decided to update the Download! folders and since they were roaming on Cingular (now AT&T) I assumed that both devices would have the same content that was available to me, being a Cingular customer.  That wasn't the case.  Both devices were loaded with content that I've only wished to see.

I had a chat with Jason Madhosingh, Senior Software Marketing Manager for Nokia and learned some pretty interesting information that made me rethink my negativity towards Download!.

In regards to content, what is available is totally independent of the carriers.  So it appears that they have nothing to do with it.  Even while foreign sims seem to roam on US soil, that isn't the total determining factor of content.  Many of the content names that we are familiar with such as EA Games, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures and Disney hold rights in certain regions, thats how the content is selected.

The future of Download! and Catalogs might possibly have some changes in the works.  I do know that the website catalogs.nokia.com is being remodeled.  As consumers, its our job to provide feedback on what things we want to see.

What type of content would you like to see on the site?  What applications would you like to see available in the Catalogs/Download! on your device?  Nows the chance to have your say... so spill!!!

Comments

[PhoneBoy]

I had a chat with Jason not too long ago. He's trying to get me a UK SIM so I can experience some of that content. I had a UK SIM from when my family "borrowed" some of my GSM phones to go to the UK, but those SIMs are now asking me for PUK codes. :(

[Max Waterman]

...even *some* content would be nice. Here in China, there is *nothing* on there at all! ...and such a large market too :|