Nokia has launched Ovi APIs and the Ovi SDK Beta, new tools for web publishers and developers to create applications with integrated services and native-like user interfaces. The company said that it will roll out web and mobile APIs for its services, beginning with the Ovi Maps Player API and the Ovi Navigation Player API for its smartphones.

According to Nokia, Ovi SDK Beta is a web-based toolbox which provides tools to create applications for the web, and Symbian and Maemo platforms, with integrated Ovi features and a user interface. The Ovi SDK Beta contains the Ovi APIs and all-new Ovi User Interface (UI) libraries, which enable creation of rich applications.

The Ovi SDK Beta reportedly utilises standard web technologies – HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript (JS) programming languages.

Ovi APIs allow developers to integrate service features such as maps or navigation to their web applications. Nokia has introduced two Ovi APIs – Ovi Maps Player API and Ovi Navigation Player API.

Nokia said that Ovi Maps Player API brings maps to mobile and web applications. The API is powered by Ovi Maps and features over 180 country maps, location-based search and place information. Other features include vector-based maps that give a range of views, including map, terrain and 3D modes for dynamic map mash-ups. Nokia first introduced the Ovi Maps Player API for the web earlier this year.

Ovi Navigation Player API allows developers to bring Nokia’s walk and drive navigation features to their applications, including pedestrian navigation, turn-by-turn car navigation and route planning. This makes it possible for content creators to create applications that take the consumer to his destination of choice – be it to a friend’s location, a landmark, a restaurant, or the bus stop, added the company.

Niklas Savander, EVP of services at Nokia, said: This is just the beginning. We will work in close cooperation with developers to evolve the offering, starting with social location solutions. Our goal is clear, and that is to make it effortless for our partners to create highly appealing, context-relevant applications that consumers will find indispensable.

Earlier in May, Nokia had launched Ovi Store, similar to Apple’s App Store, which allows users to download applications to their phones.