We’ve come to know from Esphoneblog that Nokia has decided to shut down its uber popular service Ovi Music Unlimited only and not the Music Store.
What can be understood after the content translation is :
- New OMU bundled devices will not be shipped from Nokia’s factory after 31.12.2010
- The 1-year license can’t be renewed after 10.1.2011
- No effect on devices bought with OMU/CWM. These can still be activated for the 1-year free music download service.
- No change for users who already have activated the license. When their current license expires, they’re not provided with an ability to renew the license.
- No change in the Ovi Music store
The 1-year free music downloads from OVI Music store will be discontinued, while customers can still activate the 1 Year subscription on devices that are currently in the market. Which simply means the existing subscribers and users of the service will not be affected.
We shall classify this as rumour as we dont have any official confirmation from Nokia.
UPDATE:
Here’s the Official Statement from Nokia’s Ray Haddow.
We are currently working with our partners to deliver new, innovative music services as part of the Ovi experience during 2011. As we focus on delivering these, we will continue to offer 12 month Ovi Music Unlimited in China, India and Indonesia, while offering 6 month subscriptions in Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.
For other markets, we plan to cease producing Ovi Music Unlimited-edition devices at the end of the year. Naturally, there will be no disruption to the service for our existing customers in these markets or anyone who in the future purchases an Ovi Music Unlimited-edition device from stores while stocks last – they can continue to enjoy unlimited downloads for the duration of their original Ovi Music Unlimited subscription and keep those tracks forever.
Ovi Music – our DRM-free, a-la-carte music store – is not affected in any way and music fans can continue to purchase music in 38 markets.