Major Nokia N97 Firmware Update Released

[Antoine Wright]

While the Nokia N900 has drawn the most attention lately, it's the Nokia N97 that is actually the company's flagship device. The N97, however, has not performed to many user's expectations, making the roll out of the version 2.0 firmware very significant.

This update (Symbian v20.2.019) is the third that the N97 has received since its release in June. However, this is the first major one, due to the amount of enhancements and depth of the improvements to the device.

The highlights of this firmware release include:

• A revamped memory structure which devotes more system RAM to the device during operations -- addressing the low memory issues many users have encountered;
• The replacement of the Contacts application with Nokia's presence and IM-enabled Ovi Contacts address book;
• Enhancements to the keyboard, enabling secondary characters and symbols with a long-press of the key(s);
• Update of Ovi Maps to version 3.1, plus its inclusion into the ROM for additional memory savings;
• Addition of over a dozen new homescreen widgets;
• Update to the music player UI and performance;
• Integrated Ovi Store application;
• Improved touchscreen response algorithms for better performance;
• Camera improvements for both still images and video;
• Kinetic scrolling added through the user interface for all pages and menu items;
• Improvements to Sync application;
• Various bug fixes and performance enhancements.

Despite this list of enhancements, the N97 still does not have the built-in Skype client that was spoken of during the device's announcement.

Installation
This firmware update is being rolled out to device users via the Software Updater application on the device (for over-the-air updating) and via the Nokia Software Updater PC application.

Because of the user data preservation feature (UDP) within the Symbian^1 (Symbian S60 v5) operating system, users should not have to reinstall applications or content after this update. Users should take appropriate cautions towards this update in making sure to do a complete backup of the device memory, 32 GB internal memory, and any memory cards before updating.

Not all N97 models can see this update. So far two of the four product codes have confirmed seeing this update. The release for the other product codes is underway.

More Information about the N97
The Nokia N97 is a Symbian S60 5th Edition smartphone. It has a sliding QWERTY keyboard which tilts up when extended, and also features a 640-by-360-pixel touchscreen.

This is a quad-band GSM phone with 3G (UMTS, HSPA) wireless capabilities. It also has Wi-Fi, GPS, an electric compass, 32 GB of internal storage, microSDHC slot, 5 MPx digital camera, and more.

It is currently available worldwide ($600-700 USD) in European and North American variants. For more information about the Nokia N97, read the Brighthand review and visit the Nokia website.

Source: All About Symbian

 

Related Articles:

• Nokia N97 Mini Gets FCC Approval
• Nokia N97 Review
• Nokia N900 Release Pushed Back to November
• Nokia N900 Preview

[Hook]

Are any of these improvements going to be rolled out to the 5800? Or were they already included in the firmware update that I don't think has yet reached the NAM devices (I should check tonight, I haven't actually checked in a few weeks)?

[Antoine Wright]

I believe that some of them are coming to the 5800XM, but I've not seen a real or proposed issues/change log for the 5800. Right now, I believe that many are one v31, whereas some others aren't so there might be some things yet to test and rollout.

I've not gotten the ping for the N97 update yet; I'm really hoping to get it tonite so that I can have a fresh device on the AM.

[Hook]

Thanks. I'm still watching for v31, hasn't showed up yet for my NAM version.

[Antoine Wright]

Originally Posted by Hook

Thanks. I'm still watching for v31, hasn't showed up yet for my NAM version.

What f/w version are you at? v30 or v21?

[Hook]

Originally Posted by AWright

What f/w version are you at? v30 or v21?

v21

I'm going to check the website again now.

EDIT: No luck.

Latest available software for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, product code xxxxxxxx is
Version: 21.2.025

[Antoine Wright]

V31 is on their testing server for a few of the product codes, while v30 is on the same server for one of the others for the 5800. I would probably think that its soon-ish to come for that device.

Look for the Ovi Maps, Ovi Store, and Ovi Contacts apps, and definitely some camera improvements. Other than that, I am not sure of what you could expect.
----

In terms of the N97, I've just finished the update. I did mine a bit different this time around in that I actually tried to wait until the OTA update came for it. When it didn't, I connected the device to a rebuilt WinXP PC and ran the Nokia Software Updater.

Upon seeing the update available, I disconnected the device and then uninstalled Ovi Contacts and Ovi Maps since they would be installed in the update (also a RAM savings there for me).

The update took a smidge less than 10min. After the update the homescreen had a few extra widgets - which I disabled. I then opened Contacts, and the online/presence piece from Ovi Contacts was there. Weird note is that it picked up my credentials without me having to type in anything - I wonder if it recognized my device from my Ovi account.

I then was prompted by the Software Updater app on the deivce to updates for Ovi Contacts and Ovi Maps. I'm installing these as I type now.

First impression, speedy. Contacts loaded really fast compared to v12. I'll need a few days in use to see how things totally work out though.