One of the risks of signing up to support Windows Phone is the potential for Nokia to lose its identity.

It's little wonder then that, aside from the obvious monetary benefits, the Finnish firm is so keen to keep platforms such as the Ovi Store going, even if its name is set to be cast aside in the coming months.

Such loyalty can be sampled in the updates Nokia continues to roll out onto the marketplace, with the latest including several new additions, including a new system that allows users to be notified when apps are updated.

Update for updates

"After updating to Store 2.8, when you launch the Store client and sign-in, it automatically checks if any of your downloaded apps have an update available," Nokia's Tiina Suvanto says on the Ovi blog.

"If there are updates, you will see a green flag in the corner of your screen by your 'account' tab.

"This feature is initially available to Ovi Store mobile client users on Symbian^3; we will be bringing this feature to new web properties and operating systems, like Series 40, in the near future."

Day for discovery

Joining the new update system are additional discovery tools that Nokia believes will push apps out to new audiences.

"We have further optimized our algorithm for the top free and best seller lists to make discovery even more relevant to your interests, your location, and your device," adds Suvanto.

"Specifically, we have made the calculation of what is 'top' or 'best' much more precise by country and by device."

The Ovi Store will now also list 'related' apps when users browse releases via the platform's web portal, compiling a collection of titles that were downloaded by those who plumped for the app in question.

Nokia claims Ovi Store 2.8 will start hitting devices "over the next few days", the company claims, with some users receiving the update before others.

[source: Nokia]