[fishfingers]

Nokia has confirmed the development of the 2.0 firmware update, due for release in October, but with their track record of staggered releases, due to different product codes, based on country, handset colour and network, can they confirm to us N97 users that we will all get this important update in a reasonable time from its initial release?

or will some users be stuck with the old firmware like the current situation with most users on V11 and some luckey ones on V12, and some unfortunate ones still stuck with the ultra buggy V10 firmware over 2 months after the initial release of the V11 firmware. 

Time for Nokia to be open about this.

[grschinon]

Nokia has no say whatsoever in how quickly firmware for branded phones is released. That is purely up to the networks.

As for unbranded, SIM-free handsets, it'll probably be the usual story of most of the world getting it fairly quickly and the USA and the UK trailing by a few months.

[matt_t]

---

grschinon wrote:
Nokia has no say whatsoever in how quickly firmware for branded phones is released. That is purely up to the networks.

As for unbranded, SIM-free handsets, it'll probably be the usual story of most of the world getting it fairly quickly and the USA and the UK trailing by a few months.

---

Well, as for the N97 specifically, the USA has been getting their firmware update right at the start recently.  Nokia UK and their subcontractors need to get their act together.

[fishfingers]

Appreciated Nokia are working hard on the American market to try to make headway there as they are quite a way behind the market leaders, but kissing **bleep** in one part of the world to drive sales forward is one thing, what of the rest of the planet, places where Nokia is a secure market leader, some reassurance from Nokia about a confirmed plan of release across all variants would do wonders.

[arvar]

by the way is there anynews when the date is set for the new firmware, as i wnt to see if it does any difference or else would look forward to get n900

thnkz

[matt_t]

No date yet other than October. As you're in the UK like me, if we're lucky we'll get it by January 2010 if Nokia UK's v12 firmware release schedule is anything to go by.

Message Edited by matt_t on 23-Sep-2009 11:34 AM

[fishfingers]

What is needed is for networks who want network personalised firmware to be under contract to fully support all updates, even after they stop selling that model, and require of them a time line for the modification of the firmware so users were not left out for choosing a network branded handset.

[psychomania]

Great in an ideal world but who exactly is going to force the networks to do that?

[griever92]

All i've got to say is, this new firmware better be damn stellar in comparison to how the phone is now (fortunately, since I have a non-branded phone, I don't have to wait for networks to see the light).  The everyday operation of my phone is constantly deteriorating.  Settings vanishing, RAM and C: mysteriously being sucked dry by nothing, applications unuseable at random intervals, phone freezing.

I've been trying to support the success of this phone since I preordered it, and when it works, it works good, but the hassle I get most of the time is really testing my faith in Nokia.  I should have stuck to my N95-4.

Might just end up giving in and getting an iPhone.  Can't wait to recieve all the flak on that from my friends, since I would repeatedly tell them to get rid of their iPhone and get a Nokia.lol.

[ewilson700]

It's not like Nokia is unaware of the current issues surrounding the N97 - the numerous messages left on websites dedicated to the N97 demonstrate that. I have had the N97 since it was first released and would like to have the new 2.0 update. My question is, "Are we waiting because they are adding some additional flagship features to version 2.0 or is it business driven?

When I say "business driven" I mean does it make good business sense for them to release the 2.0 firmware update and the N900 is still in preorder status? Based on the messages that I have read at the various N97 websites, most of the current Nokia owners are so frustrated, that they are considering the N900, which is a device that has not shipped and is unproven by the true testers which I believe are the buyers. The unbraded N97 is not a cheap device for those that have shelled out the price of their country's currency for it. If Nokia wants to show that they are a company who is truly "connecting people", than they need to live by that. Because the consumer market is so fickle, we move from device to device and not make the manufacturers accountable for their products faults. If you purchase the N900 or some other device without allowing them to correct issues with the N97, what incentive do they have to 

really stand behind their product?

If Nokia "truly" appreciates it's customer base and doesn't want to seem apathetic, then they will release the 2.0 firmware now. If not, then I believe it will fall into the category of business decision and we will see the update after the N900 has shipped.

[georgeup]

I got a funny feeling that v20 has been released.

I plugged my usb lead in and the little tray icon canme up with a message saying "New Software is available for the phone" I clicked on it and it took me straight to NSU and went through the normal process but didnt show me an update. (it was not an update for NSU itself - I got that last week)

I am guessing that it is up on their server but is being rolled out to different Product Code variants.

There was a rumour that it would be released to the Middle East first then across Europe. I do hope I am right, I have a non branded Europe Handset that normally gets updates early so fingers crossed.

[timmyjo]

This is ridiculous. I waited since 12/09 to get this phone. It's almost as unstable as a WinMo device. Aren't we waiting for firmware that's basically in the N97 mini? I already had to alter my phone to eliminate the "flash residue" when taking pictures. Not to mention the sliding door is unusable (SCRATCHES). $600(US) for being a "beta customer". Iphony is a toy, but Android is coming fast.......

[rafiboysh]

kind of agree with your conclusion. I hesitated big time between the Hero (running the funky Android) and the n97 (mostly for its better hardware features and good synch software) and I have to say that I regret for not going for the HTC, That because the so called superior hardware is not reliable at all (or is it the software managing it?). Also, provided the really cool features of Android and so user friendly and customizable interface, it is hard to stay with such a conventional OS as the s60v5. So, anyway, I'll try to be patient and and will wait for the 20 firmware, but if it doesn't come fast and is not a major improvement, I might as well leave nokia for good. 550$ for this is a disgrace indeed.

[timmyjo]

I've already been shopping for a N95-4 on Ebay. I read someone else's opinion of "symbian not as good with touchscreen as buttons". I've had everything but Blackberry and Android, making this simple statement seem very true. I had an N95-3, NO keyboard. I got the E71, camera sucks. So When I heard about the N97 in Dec. 09, I waited and pre-ordered from Amazon for $600. My girlfriend has an Iphony, it can't do much, but it does "do". Although I haven't owned one yet, my bet is on Android. EVERYBODY else has units coming out with it. Nokia seems to be treating this like a "big, dumb, American company".

The N97 hardware is pretty good. Firmware can save it, time is the enemy now.

Get this update to us and prove me wrong. I'm not getting suckered into the N900 for $600+. Android will be next for me if the update isn't BIG and with me by Nov.1.