Nokia's Lumia lineup has been generally well-received by reviewers, but one major drawback has been the lack of available apps on the Windows Phone platform - about 80,000 to the App Store's 500,000 and Google Play's 450,000.
The phone maker is looking to change that, though, with the announcement today of several high-profile apps coming to Microsoft's mobile OS - some of which will initially be exclusive to Lumia devices.
That includes the PGA Tour app, which will be exclusive to the Lumia for one year, and the ESPN app, which will only be on the Lumia until May 2013. An augmented-reality enhanced Groupon app and the AOL Entertainment Hub will also be available only on the Lumia for six months, while driving app Tripdots will be exclusive for three months.
Apps that will be available to all Windows Phone-based devices include cloud provider Box, Time Magazine, PayPal, and gaming titles from EA and Angry Birds maker Rovio.
Rovio is building a dedicated design and development team to create games for Nokia Lumia smartphones and the wider Windows Phone ecosystem, Nokia said. That way, Windows Phone customers will get future Angry Birds releases in the same timeframe as their iOS and Android counterparts.
"Nokia is one of our longest-standing partners, and Windows Phone and Lumia are of strategic importance to Rovio," said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio, in a statement. "We are very committed to bring our games to Lumia devices, and are looking forward to delighting our fans on the Windows Phone platform."
Upcoming EA titles include FIFA, Madden NFL, NBA Jam, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, Mirror's Edge, and Yahtzee.
Earlier today, Nokia unveiled an augmented reality app for its Windows Phone-based Lumia devices that uses the phone's camera to show you the restaurants, stores, and other venues in your immediate vicinity.
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