Nokia Wants to Become the Next Apple: Touchscreens and Music Service on the Way

Nokia has always had a strong presence in the cell phone market because of its reliable phones. Apparently Nokia isn't content with that though. In the past few months Nokia has prepared to take on Apple, Google and Microsoft.

It looks as though Nokia is focusing directly on Apple, based on the newest developments. BetaNews revealed that Nokia is developing a touchscreen smartphone to compete with the almighty 3G iPhone. The Nokia touchscreen smartphone is apparently close to production since it's slated to come out late this year.



Your first impression might be to say "So what?" After all, Nokia is actually behind the curve in smartphones; Samsung and LG have both released touchscreen smartphones already. iPhone killers they aren't, but it's more than Nokia has at this moment.

But Nokia has greater plans to move beyond building handsets. The company has already signed deals with Universal, Sony BMG and Warner Music to provide music downloads for Nokia phones. The program, called "Comes with Music" is intended to take on iTunes and the Zune Marketplace, though it sounds as if that might be a stretch since the music will only work on Nokia phones and will come with Microsoft's much-maligned DRM, PlaysForSure.

Even if the Nokia music service sounds like a flop, you have to admire the guts to branch out beyond handsets. Frankly, in this internet age expansion is essential to survive. Google, Microsoft and Apple didn't stay on top by sticking with one thing.

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