Nokia loses sales lure as Maps and Music apps cracked
Yet another reason not to buy Finnish
If Nokia is banking on its Music and Maps software will give it an edge over other Phone 7 handsets, it’s in trouble – the copy protection behind the code has been cracked.
Handsets such as the new Lumia 800 are being billed as the only way to access Nokia’s extensive maps database or music playing system. However, both have now been cracked and can be installed on hardware that didn’t come from the Finnish phone craftsmen.
Earlier this week, the XAP file needed to install and run Nokia Maps was leaked online, and now the same files are available for the Music service. One of the people responsible for the leak has even posted video of the application working just fine on an HTC handset.
Of course, a certain amount of technical knowledge is needed to install and run the XAP files, not least the ability to jailbreak the handset to accept unsigned applications. This jailbreaking has always been possible with a Phone 7 developers account, costing $99 a year. But with Microsoft’s decision to support a “hobbyists’ jailbreak" from ChevronWP7 for just nine dollars, the doors are now open for everyone with an interest to start adding unauthorized software.
Nokia has invested significantly in the research and development of its mapping and music software, and has been promoting it heavily as a selling point for its handsets. The Finns no doubt hope that the installation process will prove too taxing for consumers, but it’s clear that for savvy handset users, they have just lost an exclusive selling point. ®
COMMENTS
Nokia
I worked for Nokia in the mid 90s, visiting Finland many times. It was a well run company, and the Finns were for the most part pleasant and effective workers. Good at management and good at software. Towards the end of that period, our Finnish manager in the UK, liked by one and all, moved back to Helsinki and a British guy was promoted to replace him. Disaster.
The British guy was a traditional British manager in the worst sense. ie. he thought it was the army and he was our seargant. His spoken English wasn't as good as the Finnish manager's, he acted like a buffoon and p*ssed off everyone by and by.
@Lars: the author says "...buy Finnish..." becuase Nokia is the only well known mobile equipment manufacturer in Finland. He was obviously not attacking Finland generally.
Not to worry
The ever-so-brilliant CEO Stephen Elop stated that the success of any WP7 OEM, be it HTC or Samsung or whatever, is good for Nokia. As it clearly doesn't matter to him if no-one buys Nokia phones, don't see why it should matter to anyone else either. Except maybe the few stockholders left, and if they care, then just get rid of Elop and WP -- problem solved.
You silly bastard
What was the previous reason for not buying Finnish.
Finnish is more than Nokia. So stop buying Angry Birds because of Nokia, you stupid bastard.
I will stop buying Nokia only because of Microsoft unless they continue developing the N9
Good advert this
I hadn't realised Nokia's maps and music apps were good as to be worth stealing.
If they are that nifty it might be worth getting a phone with them pre-installed over one that doesn't.
HTC make Windows Phones too. HTC != Android, they make phones for multiple platforms.
