Fixed Mobile Convergence

Nokia’s (News - Alert) Ovi Store delivers one million downloads per day. Surprised?

Many are. 

“Nokia’s Ovi Store, after stumbling out of the gate last year, appears to have found its rhythm, becoming the storefront of choice for mobile developers in emerging markets,” said Colin Gibbs, an industry observer. “But whether it can turn that success into big money is unclear.”

Success attracts partners: Mobile ad network Greystripe is announcing support for Nokia’s very own app store. Although, as Greystripe officials note, the company “has supported Java downloads” before, this is the first time they will be supporting Java apps in the Ovi store.

It’s unclear how Google’s (News - Alert) acquisition of AdMob and Apple’s acquisition of Quattro Wireless will affect the other ad networks in the space, said Leena Rao, an industry observer. If anything, these networks will now have to compete with two of the largest companies in the world.

Launched last May, the Ovi Store is the app shop for programs fit for Nokia devices, Rao said. Greystripe offers rich media ads through its ad network, has seen “considerable success” with its iPhone (News - Alert) platform, according to Greystripe officials, and recently launched support for Android. 

As Rao said, Greystripe itself has created an automated self service Web-based portal for developers to ad-enable their Java/Symbian (News - Alert) apps.

 “Developers can upload all of their fully developed mobile app ports, while the ad client is automatically merged with their application,” Greystripe officials said, adding that their ad network “will display pre- and post-roll full-screen ads within the app.”

Gibbs notes that Ovi Store was generally deemed “a complete disaster” in the wake of its launch last May, but has “gained remarkable traction in recent weeks.

Research In Markets has confirmed the momentum, proclaiming that the Ovi Store has overtaken Apple’s App Store in 'crucial high-growth emerging markets' in the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America.”

Currently, “Greystripe supports over 1,400 Java handset models, in addition to iPhone and Android (News - Alert). Greystripe will also migrate 1,200 Java titles on its consumer mobile gaming store GameJump into the Ovi App Store,” Rao said.