[Ulfilas]

I've read that there is a firmware upgrade that would allow me to use the new Ovi maps with free driving directions and various other nice tweaks and so on to make the phone much more reliable. I'm locked in to 3 at the moment - and I could unlock from them for a £15 fee - but I don't know whether this will then allow me to upgrade the firmware to the latest verision? Any ideas?

[radical24]

unlocking your phone and unbranding is two different things. you may unlock your phone to work with other providers it will still not allow u to update the firmware. you will have to talk to your provider and ask them if they are willing to unbrand your phone which is a pain and seldom done...

[SimonGie]

Or you could just debrand it yourself...if you have the standard usb cable. It really is a piece of cake.

[radical24]

talking about self alteration of software and/or hardware on the boards is not permitted as it voids warranty and is against nokia board rules.

[ichapman]

AFAIK the V21 firmware isn't actually required in order to use the free navigation.   All you need to do is upgrade the Ovi Maps to 3.03 or above.

Certainly that's all I did on my '3' provided N97 which is still on the V20 firmware.   I thought that V21 was purely recommended as it's suppose to free up more space the 'C' partition.

[kiltbear]

Maybe the OP is still on v12 firmware, and the minimum requirement vor OVI-Maps 3.03 is v20