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Part of its new “Ovi” initiative of online mobile services, Nokia has announced its Music Store service today. Offering up a feature that seems like a perfect (if not obvious) use for HSDPA speeds on handsets, Music Store will offer seamless over-the-air music purchases and downloads directly from handsets combined with automatic two-way synchronization to the host PC. Other features include dynamic music recommendations and a “Mix Me” feature for creating playlists of recommended songs based on genre preferences. The192Kbps (DRM protected, only) WMA tracks will run €1 (about $1.36) with entire albums starting at €10 ($13.66); PC streaming will also be available for €10 a month. Look for it in Europe before the year’s out, expanding to other markets thereafter.

[via Engadget]

As it so often goes in this business, the adrenaline rush of a good leaked image is quickly followed by the security felt from an official press release. And so it goes… meet the 8GB Nokia N95, all in black and all official. Feels good eh? We’re still talking N95 specs — 2.8-inch display, 5 megapixel camera, WiFi, GPS, microSD, and such — only now with a hefty slab of hot, hot flash for all your media. Sure, slim is in but we can love a fatty too. Europe-first and ready for action in October for €560/$761.

[via Engadget]

Just as we expected, Nokia announced their totally revamped N-Gage gaming platform. An eco-sytstem now, covering software-enabled S60-based handsets, games, and a full-featured community-based service to link it all together. A new mobile gaming platform, if you will, which Nokia plans to extend beyond just Nokia devices. The service will offer tournaments, global rankings, and other events within the gaming community. Cost of games will cost up to €10, are free to try, and can be rented over varying periods. All available starting November. More as the information becomes available.

For those not quite ready to take the high-definition plunge, LG is looking to make burning those vanilla DVDs a whole lot easier whilst on the road. The uber-slim GSA-E50N (and LightScribe-equipped GSA-E50L) measure in at just 6.14- x 6.5- x 0.84-inches and weigh 0.84-pounds, come in black or white motifs, and play nice with Windows Vista. Moreover, the unit is powered completely via USB, and can burn DVD+R / RW, DVD-R / RW, and DVD-RAM discs at up to 8x speeds. Both units are slated to hit the streets soon, and while the GSA-E50N will ring up at €89 ($122), the GSA-E50L will demand an extra €10 ($14).

[Via The Inquirer]

Oi, say ‘ello to 12.8-mm thin LG KS20, the 3.2Mbps HSDPA cuz to their KU990 touchscreen hottie. Although the KS20 shares much of the looks of the KU990, they’ve actually trimmed back the display to 2.8-inches (compared to 3-inches on the KU990) while acing that 5.1 megapixel shooter for a skimpy, business-minded 2 megapixeler all riding atop a Windows Mobile 6.0 OS. Expected Q4 in Europe running on some of that Vodafone carrier action, at least. We’ll be sure to get up close and personal with it at IFA later in the week if that’s ok with you. Though so.