BANGALORE, INDIA: Nokia, the world's largest cellphone maker, today called upon Indian mobile and web application developers to create innovative consumer applications exclusively for the upcoming Nokia N97.

The 100 best applications would be made available to consumers in India and across the globe on the Nokia N97, the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile device from Nokia Nseries, said a press release.

The applications would be available through the newly announced Ovi Store, a simple and easy-to-use digital storefront. The Nokia N97, expected to be launched in India by mid 2009, would be the first device from Nokia to feature the Ovi Store.

This is the first initiative of its kind in India, under the aegis of Forum Nokia’s Calling All Innovators 2009 competition, where the developer community is being invited to create applications and services for a specific product before its launch, the release added.

“India has the largest and most vibrant pool of qualified developers in the world. As the Internet is entering into the core of mobile experiences, we see unprecedented opportunities for Indian developers in shaping the future of mobile services,” said Kenny Mathers, head, Developer Relations Forum Nokia APAC.

“We believe that this particular initiative will provide the Indian developer community an opportunity to make the most of the Nokia N97 and the Ovi Store, our one-stop-shop for mobile content for consumers and tap into potential customers in India as well as around the world,” he added.

According to Vineet Taneja, director, marketing, Nokia India, “From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile device in existence.”

He added that together with Ovi services, the Nokia N97 mobile device adjusts to the world around us, helping stay connected to the people and things that matter most.

Vineet said this initiative would encourage Nokia's developer partners to further drive the enhanced use of mobile devices in real-world scenarios with truly innovative applications and services that are designed specifically for the Nokia N97, built with Flash technology.

Once launched, the Ovi Store would be a scalable media distribution network unrivaled in size and opportunity, with advanced content targeting capabilities and monetization options that allow content providers and application developers to leverage the power of Nokia’s global scale in devices and services’ technology.

The Calling All Innovators 2009 contest, which is currently underway, challenges developers from around the globe to create best-of-breed applications for use in the three categories of ‘Internet Innovation’, ‘Flash’ and ‘Emerging Markets’.

Prizes include cash, the opportunity to demo at Nokia World in September, and premium placement of their winning application on Ovi Store, the release added.