Nokia today announced an agreement with Google to bring
YouTube videos to the Nokia Nseries. YouTube videos are to be accessible via the phone’s Web browser through
the upcoming YouTube Mobile site.
"We are thrilled to be giving users easy access to
entertaining YouTube videos anytime and anywhere. By partnering with an
industry leader like Nokia, we're able to bring YouTube videos to mobile phone
users worldwide," said Steve Chen, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
for YouTube.
The YouTube Mobile site is AVC video format compatible, and viewing videos with the Nokia Web browser is similar to viewing them with a PC Web browser.
"Our cooperation with YouTube paves the way for
continued growth for internet based content distribution. Enabling people to
have access to a wide range of videos on their connected multimedia computers
offers great potential for this area," said Torsti Tenhunen, Director,
Multimedia, Nokia. "Also, Nokia Video Center offers content producers and
distributors a unique way to lead consumers directly to dynamic video services
which can easily be produced and tailored for various interests."
Nokia Video Center will first be preinstalled in the Nokia
N95 device and thereafter in most of the new Nseries devices. Nokia Video
Center will also be available as download version for selected compatible S60
devices.
Last week, Europe’s largest mobile carrier Vodaphone announced its own
partnership with YouTube to allow its handset customers to view and upload
content the popular online video sharing web site. Stateside, select YouTube
videos are featured
on Verizon Wireless’ Vcast service. YouTube’s agreement with Nokia moves
video content exclusivity away from specific carrier companies, allowing for
users with able Nseries handsets (and data plans) to view videos regardless of wireless
provider.