It looks like Nokia wants to keep its exclusive Nokia Music service exclusive to its mobile phones.
Nokia has shuttered the Indian Nokia Music store website and has put a message on the
landing page that the site is no longer available and that users can still enjoy Nokia Music on their Nokia phones provided they have a subscription. It categorically states that users will not be able to download music from Nokia Music through the web browser or through Nokia Music Player, a desktop client that also offers access to the store and lets users download music.
It's worth pointing out that Nokia never allowed users to download music directly from its website, and that it required a plugin and the phone to be connected to the PC. This is one reason the service didn't work on Macs. Also, downloads through the Nokia Music Player had to be through an authorised PC and users could not change a device before a period of 90 days.
The development was first
spotted by MediaNama. Following the report, a Nokia spokesperson
confirmed to BGR.in that desktop downloads were turned off for new subscribers in December 2011. So, in line with the expiration of the typical 1-year Nokia Music Unlimited subscription of users who signed before that period, the company decided to shut down the website as well as downloads through the Nokia Music Player software.
However, we can confirm that desktop-based registrations were working for new subscribers even after December 2011. It's interesting to note that a
report filed in December 2012 by UnleashthePhones had informed that Nokia had discontinued desktop registrations citing a customer support email from Nokia.
Nokia also lists some FAQs on the Indian Nokia Music landing page, which mention that Nokia Music Unlimited subscribers can continue to download music on their mobile phones, and that users who no longer have a Nokia mobile phone would not be able to access the service. However, music downloaded through the phone can be transferred to computers.
It's worth mentioning that Nokia only offers 32kbps low-quality music through the Nokia Music mobile app citing bandwidth concerns. The music downloaded through PCs had a bit-rate of 256kbps and was DRM-free.
The move means that Nokia Music would no longer offer high-quality music downloads. Nokia also clarified that existing users will still be able to renew their subscriptions. The Nokia Music website used to allow users to redeem subscription vouchers. We're not sure how renewals would work, now.
Nokia offers Mixed Radio music streaming service with its Nokia Music service. Nokia Music with Mixed Radio comes bundled with Nokia's Lumia devices, with some Symbian devices such as the Pureview 808 (via software update) and on Nokia Asha 305, Nokia Asha 308, Nokia Asha 310 and Nokia Asha 311 in addition to some other Series 40 devices.
We don't think a lot of people used the PC-based Nokia Music store, but loyal users would miss high quality downloads and the convenience that it offered.
Update: Nokia has acknowledged that desktop downloads are being shut down. A Nokia spokesperson told NDTV Gadgets, "Nokia Music remains hugely committed to provide Indian consumers with a great music service today and in the future. We continue to innovate around an easy to use mobile service with increased focus on personalised music streaming. We communicated the ramp down of desktop downloads in India back in 2011 as part of our mobile first strategy. We will continue to invest significantly in the success of Nokia Music in India."