Global handset maker, Nokia has released services for handsets running on its Windows Phone (WP) and S40 platforms.

The new services are part of an effort to create a whole ecosystem, according to Colin Giles, the EVP of sales at the Finland-based company. Handset makers from around the world are increasing focusing on the associated services than merely on the features on the handset to attract customers.

The company released, Nokia Reading, a new reading app offering news, e-books and audio books, Nokia Transport that offers public transport information including step-by-step directions, as well as real-time bus and train information and Nokia Drive, which is a useful navigation app that comes with speed limit feature and full offline capabilities.

All the three apps will be offered free to cost to the users.

The company also released subscription-based Nokia Life, an service that is exclusively available on the S40 platform. Nokia Life is aimed at imparting useful life skills to people in developing countries through SMS. The service will focus on education, agriculture and health.

.

Nokia Life is currently only available in China, India, Indonesia and Nigeria but it can be expanded to other markets including countries in South America, according to Blanca Juti, VP of mobile phones marketing.