Ovi Store

Nokia launched a new family of devices Tuesday, called the C series. The company said the new series is the "core of the Nokia portfolio" and the devices -- including the first one, the C5 -- will be "optimized for social networking and sharing."

Optimization means the C5 helps the user maintain a continual connection with his or her social circle. This includes direct access to the user's favorite contacts right on the home screen, Facebook status updates visible on the phone, and easy access to social-networking sites.

Four Families of Devices

Nokia launched a new family of devices Tuesday, called the C series. The company said the new series is the "core of the Nokia portfolio" and the devices -- including the first one, the C5 -- will be "optimized for social networking and sharing."

Optimization means the C5 helps the user maintain a continual connection with his or her social circle. This includes direct access to the user's favorite contacts right on the home screen, Facebook status updates visible on the phone, and easy access to social-networking sites.

Four Families of Devices

Nokia launched a new family of devices Tuesday -- the C series. The company said the new series is the "core of the Nokia portfolio" and the devices -- including the first one, the C5 -- will be "optimized for social networking and sharing."

Optimization means the C5 helps the user maintain a continual connection with his or her social circle. This includes direct access to the user's favorite contacts right on the home screen, Facebook status updates visible on the phone, and easy access to social-networking sites.

Four Families of Devices

Apple's App Store has reached two billion downloads. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company has been promoting both its iPhone and its App Store as rivals have launched new smartphones and online app stores.

With more than 85,000 apps available to 50 million plus iPhone and iPod touch customers and 125,000 developers, Apple said its store continues to be a success.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, just back from a medical leave of absence, wasted no time trumpeting the success of the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. The store has had 1.5 billion downloads since its launch a year ago.

Jobs' announcement may be an attempt by Apple to put a lid on recent questions about the App Store's success and revenue. Apple hasn't revealed if it is making huge profits on the store or if the money spent to maintain the venture is more than the revenue from purchased apps.

Nokia is attempting to make a splash this summer with a new phone and a new app store to go with it. Executives from the Finnish phone maker have been teasing about an application store dubbed Ovi for some time, but this week Niklas Savander, Nokia's executive vice president of services, told Forbes it will launch as the largest app store to date, boasting 20,000 apps.

Dealing with a continued decline in handset sales, Finland-based Nokia will make additional cuts to its workforce.

Nokia plans to downsize information-technology activities in its corporate development office by cutting 450 employees globally. The reduction in employment is part of Nokia's plans to cut costs and adjust its business operations based on market demand.