Nokia still enjoys the highest market share in terms of mobile phone usage in the world. But this dominance is mainly in the low-end handsets, while the company has challenges to face for smartphone markets. Despite this, Nokia said that its witnessing rapid growth in its online Ovi Store, which is now delivering three million downloads per day.

According to Nokia, in addition to three million daily downloads, over 250,000 new customers are signing up for an Ovi Store account each day. More than 400,000 developers have joined the Forum Nokia developer network. The Nokia Qt Software Development Kit has been downloaded 1.5 million times.

Examples of popular and creative new Symbian smartphone content on Ovi Store include:

  • Swype: With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, Swype ’s technology enables users to input words faster and easier.
  • NHL GameCenterâ„¢ Premium: Keep up with your favorite hockey team by listening to live radio, checking stats and scores, or by watching highlights and condensed games.
  • WhatsApp Messenger: A smartphone messaging app that uses 3G or WiFi to connect with friends and family. Switch from SMS to WhatsApp to send and receive messages, pictures, audio notes, and video messages at no cost.

Since Nokia began shipments of its new Symbian smartphones, starting with the Nokia N8 on Sept. 30 of this year, the top downloaded free app globally was Q Torch, a utility app that turns your device into a flashlight, by CellApp Technology of India (also among top three in Europe, India and Southeast Asia/Pacific); the top downloaded paid app was Angry Birds, the smash hit game, by Rovio Mobile of Finland (also among top three in North America, Southeast Asia/Pacific and Europe) and the third most popular item downloaded globally was Need for Speed Shift HD, a game that delivers the thrill of high-performance racing by EA Mobile of the U.S. (also among top three in Central and South America, and Southeast Asia/Pacific).