Nokia's Ovi Store is set to open its doors for business in May of this year and we'll be covering the launch and the services inside in more depth when the time comes. However, with everyone seemingly getting in on the act of pushing up the shutters on their individual store fronts, we thought it time to take a look at what makes a great apps store and whether Ovi Store is stocked and ready to do business.

Content

Ovi Store will one day be a catch-all store for all of Nokia's services and content. It's clear from the get-go that Nokia isn't intending this to simply be an apps store, as Nokia will use it to push services, updates and news. Then, along with apps, users will be able to get hold of themes, games, wallpapers, and even podcasts.

It seems that whatever you want to use your Nokia for, it'll be covered on Ovi Store. Nokia is already accepting applications for new apps and as long as it gets the navigation of the site, from both a mobile and full-fat web site perspective right, getting the apps you want need not be a problem. That said, there is one glaring omission at this stage and its:

N-Gage

Nokia is keeping its mobile gaming arm clearly steered away from Ovi Store for the time being. Maybe this is a cautious move but, call us old-fashioned, we don't think you'll be able to really call the Ovi Store a true success until all branches of the business are under one roof. This will also apply to Comes With Music, as this will be a real content driver if and when it becomes DRM-free.

Seamless downloads

If it's going to be a success, Ovi Store needs to feel seamless - you device and the store need to act as one. No one wants to feel as though they're being pushed around the site and by the same token once you've selected a them or app, it needs to download to your Nok there and then.

This also needs to apply to moving downloads from one device to another. For a real Nokia fan, having the software tied to their Nokia Account instead of a single device will be a real win situation, as it means you'll be able to upgrade device and not have to worry about starting from scratch again.

Diversification

What we like about the arrival of Ovi Store is that it's not juts about S60 apps, as S40 will also be included. With the difference between what is a smartphone and the latest clutch of S40 devices sharing simialr heritages, the difference between the two is dwindling. So, Nokia is making a brave statement about how it sees its business moving by including both operating systems.

Backwards compatible

What if you already own a Nokia phone or two? Well, Nokia isn't about to exclude the millions of users out there. So, Ovi Store will need to be backwards compatible, allowing us to get hold of what's put up there. Fortunately, Nokia has already stated that it will offer an update so you can get Ovi Store direct to your current device.