Nokia's Ovi Suite just got itself a new version number (3.0, albeit in 'beta') and a whole new interface - it now has even larger ambitions in terms of managing your phone's music and maps from your Windows PC, plus there's integration with the Ovi Store itself, with application recommendations. Below are the official changelog, the launch video and relevant links. Comments welcome on how this works out for you!

Ovi Suite 3.0 Beta includes the following new features and improvements:

A new, Home view

• Quick access to my content and sync
• Recommended apps, games from Ovi Store
• Recommended music from Ovi Music
• Notifications to update your phone software and to take a backup from your phone
• Smart way to connect to the Internet when you’re without fixed connection or WLAN

Introducing Ovi Music

• Full playback controls
• Discover and download your favourites from the millions of tracks available on Ovi
• Drag and drop music to and from your phone
• Ovi Music Unlimited support *
• No need for a separate player

Other improvements

• Faster and simpler installation
• Maps view improvements: Single item delete for maps in phone, performance improvements for maps downloading.
• Stability and sync: We have focused on improvements for sync and stability

To get involved in the beta, download Nokia Ovi Suite 3.0 Beta and install it, watching for new updates (there will be several betas), sharing your experiences in the Beta Labs discussion forum. You can submit Discussions, Suggestions, Reviews and Bug reports. 

(via the eagle-eyed CJ)