Symbian-Guru - Latest Comments in Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

shyeup — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:12:32 -0000

I love my Nokia N95 and with or without firmware updates, it does whatever it does really well.

Having lived in three continents (Asia, Europe and North America), my personal view as to the problem with firmware upgrades is that many parties are at fault. Nokia is certainly guilty of not managing / communicating the firmware releases better.

That said, I place most of the blame on the screwed up USA telecoms industry (of which the regulators have a huge blame). It is a dumb system where different operators are on different types of networks / standards and phones from one operator cannot be used in another (this has nothing to do with unlocking). And instead of following the GSM standards set by the rest of the world, US, as per past tradition (e.g. adoption of metric system), insists on going her own way such that even GSM phones designed for European networks work suboptimally here (e.g. different high-speed data access). So, not only is the US internally conflicted, it chooses to be in conflict with the rest of the world (sounds familiar?).

So while I am angry with Nokia sometimes, I can see why they would spend most of their effort on the largest base of users rather than pandering to the warped US market.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Justin — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:56:48 -0000

Firmware was released May 26, 2008! V20.2.011

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Johansendur — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:15:19 -0000

I just updated my firmware from v11 to v20 , and I got really great features but really bad ones too. The phone shut down and turn on is faster, but when I open apps the get really slow.Also the Yellowpages search engine is not longer avialable.But Now I have New Apps In my Phone

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Don Bradken — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:52:46 -0000

Hello, just so you know, the newest version of the n95-3 firmware has just been released. The version number is 20.2.011

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Nekros — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:23:27 -0000

the new firmware is out now.just updated mine
v20.2.011

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Marc — Sun, 18 May 2008 11:12:01 -0000

@Amy I think that all of the red N95-3 phones came with the latest firmare (mine definitely did).

I'd agree that newly manufactured phones should ship to vendors with the latest firmware. However, if those vendors sell phones that they have in stock after Nokia issues a firmware update I'm not sure Nokia can be held responsible (unless, of course, Nokia itself was the direct vendor).

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Jake Tracey — Sun, 18 May 2008 08:49:03 -0000

This is great news, a little late but I was starting to think we might not get an update at all.

Amy, I think you have a few good points - Nokia's update process is nowhere near as straightforward as the one for say, the iPhone, but like the other commenters here I haven't personally experienced any problem when upgrading.

In regards to your comments on Mac support, all the software features (Message center, Nokia music center, Sync) work fine using VMware on my Mac. Not the perfect solution, but it works. I haven't tried a firmware update yet but I can't see why it wouldn't work.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Viipottaja — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:04:15 -0000

Amy, yep, the problem is that a Mac friendly update process would help.. err.. about 4% of people at best.

When you get these "impressions" from Nokia reps (it would be good if you were a bit more specific about what gave you that impression), why don't you ask them straight on how common these kinds problems are and see what they tell you. Interesting experiment, although I wouldn't expect them to give a straight answer. :)

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Amy Gahran — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:09:06 -0000

Viipottaja -- Yep, it's possible Windows could be to blame. Yet another reason for a Mac-friendly update process.

That said, the Nokia rep did ask me to describe how my firmware update process went, and did not indicate that anything about it was unusual. In fact, I got the impression from him that problems with that process are common.

So yes, it's possible that my experience was unusually difficult. But at the time I did not get that impression from Nokia, or from the other N95 users I spoke to after the event. Nearly everyone I spoke to either strongly disliked Nokia's update process, or experienced actual problems with it, or feared and avoided it altogether (and often accepted reduced options/functionality as a result).

Also, Nokia's own reps mentioned that they've heard of bricking problems related to firmware updates, and some of those reps actively discourage users from doing the update except as a last resort. (My friend Beth Kanter recorded a Nokia rep telling her exactly that.)

I'm glad that others here have not experienced Nokia's update process as a problem. But there are others who have been having a very different experience. Something is definitely amiss here -- either in the process itself, or in communication and support about the update process.

- Amy Gahran

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Viipottaja — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:48:39 -0000

Amy, to me it sounds it could _also_ be Windows, not Nokia, that is to blame. Its not like Windows is known to be the most reliable and bug free thing on earth...

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Amy Gahran — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:35:52 -0000

Hi, Ricky

Yes, It's possible that something went unusually wrong with my firmware update process. But the thing is, I followed Nokia's instructions *exactly* and I still had that experience. And after it was done, my phone was bricked, so there was no way I could try it again.

I'm not the only N95 user who's experienced difficulty or severe problems with the firmware update process. I'm not the only person who has not found it to be intuitive. I'm also not a PC user -- but I'm also not a techno-newbie by any means. I have updated firmware on many other devices, and it's never been such a hassle as it was for the N95.

So I know for a fact, from my experience, is that for me it was a very time-consuming, clunky, and worrisome process that ultimately ended in failure. And this was using Nokia's firmware updater, on an XP laptop, following Nokia's instructions exactly. I can't speak for other people's experience, except to say that I'm far from the only person who's had this trouble.

I will say I described to the Nokia support rep how the firmware update process went and he did not indicate to me that I'd done anything wrong, or that it was an unusual experience.

After the phone bricked and I spoke to Nokia, I learned it was possible I might not get it back from them before my refund window from Amazon would have closed. That just seemed to foist too much risk onto me, so I gave up -- returned everything. So I couldn't troubleshoot the update process further.

- Amy Gahran

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Stephen — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:24:51 -0000

Ricky can you provide a bit of assistance to me ? I am going to buy an N95 8GB BUT im worried that the 8GB internal memory will slow down the phone and make it sluggish. Is it so ? is it also with the N81 8GB ???

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Mr-X — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:03:35 -0000

I have to agree with Ricky here, Amy. I can add that it took about 8 minutes to freshly update my N95 8GB which incuded downloading the 100mb+ update and then actually updating the phone. There's something wrong with your computer as I've never had problems like yours on XP nor Vista.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Ricky Cadden — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:31:00 -0000

Amy - Something's DEFINITELY wrong with something on your end. When I plug my phone in, it's quickly detected (USB in PC Suite mode, remember), and the software takes ~1 minute to tell me if there's an update available. From there, I get a little blue progress bar stating that it's downloading the firmware, with a total downloaded and total end size count. Once I click the 'start' button, it shows a moving progress bar that looks alot like the red and white barber's pole from 'old times', so that I know something's happening. When it's over, my phone reboots and there's a final confirmation saying 'your phone has been updated successfully. It's now safe to disconnect'.

I'd make a video, but obviously I don't really have a way to do that, lol. Honestly, you might want to uninstall it and start over if you're not getting that experience. Something must've gone funky with your install.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

LK — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:26:35 -0000

Good news about the update, even though I have an N95-1.

Regardless of update or no update, is there word of when Vista is to be supported again by the Software Update program?

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Amy Gahran — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:21:12 -0000

Ok, here's what I found confusing about it:

1) It was difficult getting the updating software installed on a Win XP laptop. I don't know why, but it took 3 tries for that to happen in my case.

2) It was difficult getting the update software to "see" my N95 once it was connected to the laptop running the update software

3) It took over an hour to complete the update process, with no visual indication of how far in the process the update was. I was concerned that perhaps the process had frozen, it seemed like a *very* long time. But eventually the update process finished.

4) After the update process finished, I didn't receive a message that it was OK to disconnect my phone from the laptop, so I was nervous doing that.

...And after all that, the update bricked my phone.

I don't know how representative that experience is, but I'm not the only person who's been baffled , frustrated, and worried during this process.

YMMV, of course.

- Amy Gahran

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Ricky Cadden — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:29:35 -0000

Amy - I have to respectfully disagree with you on the firmware update process. I've used it to update countless handsets and never had an issue. I don't see how it's confusing at all. There's never more than 2 buttons on the screen, one of which is always 'cancel' or 'exit'.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Amy Gahran — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:32:53 -0000

This firmware update is great news, I agree.

But: What about Nokia's horrendous FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS? It's PC-only, clunky and confusing as hell, and risky -- it bricked my brand-new N95-3 last month.

With this forthcoming update, lots of N95-3 users will be running that ugly firmware update process. It would be nice if Nokia could tell us whether -- and when -- they'll work on making that less of an ordeal (and Mac-friendly, too). After all, their main US competitor (Apple) doesn't force those kinds of obstacles upon its customers.

Also, it would be nice if Nokia could start shipping newly purchased phones with up-to-date software. Right now, as far as I've been able to determine, all N95-3s are shipping with firmware that isn't even the latest version *currently* available.

I've asked Nokia about these issues in my comment to their blog today. We'll see what they have to say.

On the bright side, at least Nokia is updating its N95-3 firmware. And at least they're publicly talking with consumers about their myriad US service problems.

If you have concerns about Nokia's US service, I suggest you chime in on the comments to service-related posts on Nokia's blog. I just posted a roundup of that conversation so far (blog post, video).

- Amy Gahran

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Tony — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:20:33 -0000

Finally!!! At least now I have something to look forward to. N-Gage should finally work on my phone properly, and the camera should load much faster. Should we also look forward to improved battery life? Ricky, there's no reason to include UDP if we're unlikely to ever see another firmware update. If we DO get UDP then that is a good sign.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Viipottaja — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:05:54 -0000

AFAIK, N95-3 is not an AT&T phone so how would they fuck it up?

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Ricky Cadden — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:05:42 -0000

Mr Gunn - There's nothing here to indicate that this firmware will be branded at all. Nokia's not stupid enough to use NSU to apply carrier branding to a bunch of unbranded phones.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Mr. Gunn — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:02:14 -0000

Now the question is, "Will ATT thoroughly fuck this one up like they did with the updated N75 firmware?" You're probably better off sticking with the euro version if you care at all about active standby.

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Viipottaja — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:45:52 -0000

Al,

I don't have first hand experience, but I assume the firmware was nontheless ok compared to the original N95-1 firmware.

mixrdrivr,

I'll give you a tip: by the variation that has sold millions upon millions, not the one that has sold probably a couple to a few hundred thousand units. And voila, you can enjoy frequent updates. Even better if you live in a country where people by high end phones on a business as usual basis. :)

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

gore — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:49:06 -0000

Holy crap! Thought this would never happen...

Re: Nokia Talks, N95-3 Firmware Update Coming In June

Al Pavangkanan — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:41:25 -0000

@Viipottaja

You can't tell me 8 second camera load times is something that should be acceptable.