Nokia Launches International Community of Music Connoisseurs - The Music Recommenders

Nokia Launches International Community of Music Connoisseurs - The Music Recommenders

David Bowie Acts as New Music 'Godfather' for Innovative Music Recommendations

Nokia Open Studio 2006, NEW YORK, September 26/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Forty leading independent music stores from around the world are working
with Nokia (NYSE:NOK) to create unique and customizable music
recommendations. Music Recommenders brings together great new music across
continents and genres, keeping music enthusiasts in touch with the latest
tracks as well as helping them discover new artists.

Internationally influential independent record stores including Fat Beats
(New York), Reckless (Chicago), Pure Groove (London), Hard Wax (Berlin) and
Mona Records (Tokyo) will offer a personalised selection of new music across
12 genres - from Pop to Rock to Classical, Jazz and Electronic.

Every month, experts from each of the stores will bring together music
from their specialist genre. No other music recommendation experience offers
such an extensive combination of human insight, knowledge and expertise,
coupled with global reach.

As a fanatical explorer and discoverer of music from around the world,
David Bowie is taking the role of music 'godfather'. He will be contributing
to Music Recommenders every month through features and podcasts, sharing his
most exciting discoveries as well as appearing in a short film, shot by Wim
Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club), which advocates new music and the culture
of record stores around the world.

Users can freely browse the music, search for music according to
recommender, genre or style, listen to music clips and read weekly updates,
artist interviews, city music guides and even information on the stores and
recommenders themselves. Once registered, subscribers can receive an instant
playlist of 30 second samples tailored specifically to their tastes and
purchase the tracks they like. Once a month, users will receive the latest
recommendations and editorial features direct to their email inbox.

"We've searched around the world to find the most passionate and credible
music specialists. The stores featured on Music Recommenders have the experts
who are supporting and breaking new artists," commented Tommi Mustonen,
Director, Multimedia, Nokia. "And we're thrilled to have David Bowie - a
musical icon - sharing his own passion for what's new in music. We are able
to make a wealth of knowledge, passion and foresight available on a global
scale - something that has never before been attempted."

"Waking up to a new sound or new band is something that makes my day just
that bit more exciting," said David Bowie. "Unfortunately, so much music goes
unheard, especially things that don't bow to the mainstream. Music
Recommenders help navigate the undiscovered music that is out there. I've
actually been to some of the stores featured on Music Recommenders in various
parts of the world, and found them to be a wonderful source for new and less
traditional music."

"Perhaps the hardest thing about finding new music is finding a starting
point, an entry point, somewhere to begin. Starting with record shops makes
sense, because we listen to a vast amount of music and our ears are almost
constantly being refined and tuned in to what is out there," said Nick Turner
from Smallfish Records in London. "As an idea, Music Recommenders is
excellent; since the shops are diverse, the music will be too, but in amongst
it all there will be something that appeals to everyone, whatever their
taste."

Music Recommenders will be available in a beta version starting in
November 2006. For a full list of participating stores, please visit
http://www.musicrecommenders.com.

Screenshots of the Music Recommender service can be found at
http://www.nokia.com/press/openstudio2006

Additional quotes:

"It's a privilege to be part of a program that allows us to share the
great music around with a potentially worldwide audience. Seeing that people
from all corners of the globe are picking up on our recommendations is a
testament to the unifying quality of great music. This Nokia system has
allowed people to hear the tracks that we're supporting, and also allowed us
to hear what fellow record stores from other countries are pushing. It's a
great program that is evolving into a wonderful musical community." (Simon
Singleton, Pure Groove, London)

"Earwax Records is honored to be a part of the Music Recommenders. Now,
independent music stores get an opportunity to express our passion for Hip
Hop music across the world. It's great that Nokia are giving us an
opportunity to shine some much needed light on all corners of the Hip Hop
world. Don't sleep on good music - enroll in the Ear Wax hip hop academy and
let us school you." (Chuck Woo, Ear Wax Records, Atlanta, USA)

About Nokia Nseries

Nokia Nseries is a range of high performance multimedia computers that
delivers unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences by combining the latest
technologies with stylish design and ease of use. With Nokia Nseries
products, consumers can use a single device to enjoy entertainment, access
information and to capture and share pictures and videos, on the go at any
time.

About Nokia

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and
sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to
each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and
innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging,
games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services
for network operators and corporations.

www.nokia.com

Please visit the Open Studio 2006 website for more information and press
photos: http://www.nokia.com/press/openstudio2006

Source: Nokia

Media Enquiries: Nokia, Multimedia, Communications, Tel. +358-7180-45667; Nokia, Communications, Tel. +358-7180-34900, Email: press.office@nokia.com, www.nokia.com

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