Global handset major, Nokia today announced the launch of two new touch screen devices namely Nokia 5230 and the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic combining the features of touch interface with that of music and entertainment features.

The Nokia 5230 is positioned as an affordable touch device with rich entertainment features. Nokia launched the model in India as well as across the globe today. It offers 33 hours of playback time and is priced at 149 euros. In some markets the handset will come preloaded with Comes music service of Nokia and such models will be priced at 259 euros. Headphones with 3.5mm AV connector can be connected to the device for a personal rich audio experience. It also has a Media bar with quick access to favourite media and applications such as music, photos, YouTube or Ovi Share. Thumbnail images of up to 20 friends are displayed and their communications history including emails, phone calls, photos or other social media updates.  The handset is expected to be commercially available from Q4 2009.

The Nokia 5530 XpressMusic is derived from the top selling Nokia 5800 Xpress music. The home page has one touch shortcuts to content and popular social networks like facebook and MySpace. It also has a innovative ‘people carousel’ as in the case of Nokia 5230 displaying thumbnail images of as many as 20 friends along with communication history.

Tuula Rytilä-Uotila, Vice President, Category Management, Live Category, Nokia said “Touch screen technology for mobile devices has set the stage for a new paradigm of user experience, driven by a number of trends like growing desire for more intuitive interfaces and personalization options as mobile phones have transformed into multi functional devices. Nokia is focused on taking touch experience to the masses by launching new solutions at competitive price points.”

“We are very happy to unveil Nokia 5230 for the first time in India - a strategic market for Nokia with a young and tech savvy population that is always ready to embrace new technologies.”

Mr. Vineet Taneja, Director Marketing Nokia India said, “As the market leader, Nokia’s value proposition is to offer products that combine aesthetics, technology and ease of use. Nokia’s touch devices are also based on these strengths and with the new Nokia 5230 and Nokia 5530 XpressMusic we aim to give our consumers phones that look great, provide enhanced touch and music experience and, at the same time, are competitively priced.”

The model offers 27 hours of playback time and a 4GB memory card for storing music and other media. It can store new music through the MusicStore either directly on the phone or through a PC.