Nokia Semi-Retire Ovi Music Unlimited

Nokia is scaling back its Ovi Music Unlimited all-you-can eat download service, which offers buyers of select Nokia handsets unlimited access to a catalog of tracks for a 12-month period. As of the end of 2011, Nokia "plan to cease producing Ovi Music Unlimited-edition devices" for all markets aside from China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa; however, buyers with an Ovi Music Unlimited device outside of those countries will still get access.

"We are currently working with our partners to deliver new, innovative music services as part of the Ovi experience during 2011. As we focus on delivering these, we will continue to offer 12 month Ovi Music Unlimited in China, India and Indonesia, while offering 6 month subscriptions in Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

For other markets, we plan to cease producing Ovi Music Unlimited-edition devices at the end of the year. Naturally, there will be no disruption to the service for our existing customers in these markets or anyone who in the future purchases an Ovi Music Unlimited-edition device from stores while stocks last – they can continue to enjoy unlimited downloads for the duration of their original Ovi Music Unlimited subscription and keep those tracks forever.

Ovi Music – our DRM-free, a-la-carte music store – is not affected in any way and music fans can continue to purchase music in 38 markets." Ray Haddow, Nokia

After their bundled unlimited access period expires, however, it seems there will be no option to extend it any further. Tracks will remain playable, though Nokia uses DRM to limit them to the user's handset; the service first launched as "Comes With Music" in late 2007.

If you still want to get on the Ovi Music Unlimited bandwagon, Nokia says that existing stocks will still be able to access the service, so it makes sense to buy while they last. Nokia's regular Ovi Music service, which offers DRM-free downloads for individual purchase will continue to operate as normal.

[via Nokia Users]