Nokia Ovi Store launches (slowly) with few business apps and no Facebook

Nokia's Ovi Store, the handset maker's answer to Apple's App Store and other application outlets from the likes of Android and Research in Motion, launched Tuesday. Good luck actually getting to Nokia's store though. 

This alleged launch apparently happened---very slowly. There's a Nokia press release and a blog post and numerous reports about the Ovi Store. However, it's a slow go for a lot of folks including me. 

Once I slogged through the slow performance I was a bit underwhelmed by the business apps. The BlackBerry and iPhone stores both have more.

Here's the business selection for the Ovi Store. 

That's 10 apps. For those of us in the U.S. it's a moot point since Nokia is largely a no-show here. 

The news and info category has more, but Nokia's store lacks a Bloomberg app, which is quite addictive. 

But let's get out of the business thing. How about social networks?

Well, here's another disappointment. 

No Facebook and no MySpace, but you do get Friendster. 

The Nokia store steps it up for games with 101 items, but that may be a little too late. 

Also see: Why Nokia needs the U.S. more than ever