Over the Air and PC-USB updates a reality?
Published by Steve Litchfield at 19:41 BST, August 21st 2006
Very welcome though perhaps early days, Nokia has released a S60 Phone Software Update utility/service, letting users update their own firmware. For more on this huge story, read on...
This is a huge story - Nokia have always resisted letting users update their own phone's firmware, presumably because it's been a hairy process using custom Phoenix software and didn't want legions of people arriving at their service centres with 'dead' units. With this new 'friendly' updater software, they're presumably now more confident that users (armed with broadband, so that everything needed can be sucked from the web) can complete the task themselves.
No more trips to the service centre! More frequent updates to fix bugs! The bad news: only a handful of 2nd Edition handsets are supported so far. Still, it's a start. The updater utility is only a few days old - let's hope many more S60 and S80 models appear in their compatibility list very soon, especially the 3rd Edition devices which are in more urgent need of updates.
Thanks to Symbian Freak for the heads-up.
If you try this service, please comment!
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Categories: Hardware, Links of Interest
Platforms: Series 60, S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
LordDeath
when you flash via dku-2 cable: do not touch the cable and the phone during flashing. one little move could kill the connection.
btw: nice news :)
AlphaStorm
I just updated my Nokia 6630 firmware from 3.45.113 to 6.03.08 without any problems at all :)
Some remarks/tips:
- Check if your dku2 cable connection is stable (I didn't use mine for a long time). Sometimes dirt blocks the socket or not all pins on the connector make contact with the phone
- During the update, in Windows XP, the "USB disconnect" sound is played (at about 5%). This is normal (I think...)
- The update took about 5 minutes (download + flash)
- After the update, my contacts were gone, SMS+email on RSMMC still working
nj7
Finally... The problems that Nokia could resolve that way, and income-producing money, fast repair, because they don“t lose time to do firmware upgrades, costumer satisfaction... good move:cool:
timsalmon
Whenever I try running this software trying this out on my old(!) N70 I get a Windows message up saying Nokia Service Layer Host Process has encountered a problem and needs to close. We're sorry for the inconvenience.
Then the usual offer to tell Microsoft via Error Report.
Mmmmm.
Tim
Update: Forgot to say that i turned off all AV and Firewall, rebooted phone and PC. Just the same.
Kyuro
Success!
I managed to update my N70 from vodafone's v2.xxxxx firmware to 5.0609.2.0.1 without any hassle, it's still vodafone's custom firmware but to be honest, it's easy enough to hide some of the stuff unlike orange :)
manta
Just updated my 6681 smooothy without any probs:)
DemiGod
No firmware for the N71 and it needs it so much :mad:
2more
Update successful! :)
But unfortunately not my language version in updated firmware. :(
A mistake or not yet added in self update software?
nj7
No software for OS v3... any!
That is my main question. The language... All thing seems to be in english. And others languages?
nj7
Mufty
I lost my language too! Only Norsk, Dansk and English... Other than that it seems good! I'm sure when they localise for all the languages, you'll probably have to download the PC software from the country sites and you'll get the 3 ususal languages for your country. I updated a 6680.
Also, It rendered my flashlite invalid! I don't know why as I thought it just used the Serial Number, which hasn't changed. Any Ideas?
nj7
It“s what I“m afraid:frown:
AlphaStorm
My language selection list remained the same: English, French, German and Dutch (=default)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mufty
Also, It rendered my flashlite invalid! I don't know why as I thought it just used the Serial Number, which hasn't changed. Any Ideas?
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Perhaps Flashlite stored a file with the serial on your phone's C drive (more programs use this strategy and could be affected). If that's the case, it could have been been erased during the upgrade (perhaps reinstalling and re-entering the serial works?)
Mufty
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AlphaStorm
Perhaps Flashlite stored a file with the serial on your phone's C drive (more programs use this strategy and could be affected). If that's the case, it could have been been erased during the upgrade (perhaps reinstalling and re-entering the serial works?)
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Reinstalling did the trick; Works fine now. Thanks for the tip!
damien.nimai
I just upgraded my N70 and restored the phone memory from a backup on my memory card. Everything works perfectly and now I have ACTIVE STANDBY which 3 in all their wisdom had decided to not let it's N70 users access.
Yay :D
legendkilla
successfully updated my 6630 from v5.03 to v6.03. Even got interrupted during the download due to bad mains voltage, but luckily I found out that the phone doesnt start updating until the very end. The download+install took 5 mins max. The download was over 25MB btw, so only try if you're on a broadband connection. My C drive's wiped clean and my contacts have disappeared. Other than that, its all good. Nokia have finally taken an amazing step forward in firmware updates! =)
nj7
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mufty
Reinstalling did the trick; Works fine now. Thanks for the tip!
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Glad to know that. So, no problem with native language:)
Bobagent
Does anyone know if I update my old 6630 will it become operator unlocked?
I have upgraded to an N80 but want to give my dad my old Vodafone 6630....problem is he's on T-Mobile.
Will using the updater unlock the phone?
Cheers
slitchfield
No, I'm 99.999% sure that the right operator-branded firmware will be used, just as if you'd gone to a Nokia service centre.
Steve
stuclark
The updater will ONLY update your phone with the latest branded firmware for your phone (if branded). You CAN NOT install a generic firmware on a branded phone using this updater.
I'm yet to check what will happen to a handset which used to be branded, but has previously been flashed with a generic firmware.
wicked_saint
I upgraded my N70 from 3.0546.2.3 to the much awaited 5.0616.2.0.3. Well there was a lot of tension, whether it'll work or not. If the phone dies, what phone i'll use... etc. But everything worked the way Nokia website stated in there FAQ section. So all who are willing to upgrade their phones' firmwares, plz go thru the FAQ section. It's helpful.
At the end of the update, my phone hanged and there was an error msg, "Software update failed." I just unplugged the data cable, the charger from the phone and removed my battery. Waited till the screen faded and then put the battery back again and started the phone and WALA...
After the upgrade, the phone is faster and has one theme less (3 themes). After restoring the back up, all the previously installed softies in MMC and phone memory still work without any problem.
Guys, take the risk and go for the upgrade... you'll love it.
jrmt
Mufty
Burcrim
I updated my 6680 very smoothly and without any problems....well done Nokia.
However now the phone seems much slower and has less RAM than before!?! Plus the new firmware is indicated as only being v.4.04.07 (22-08-05) which I believe is an old version. Aren't we several updates on from that now?
I tried to update again it but the Nokia Software Updater gives me a message that the software is already up to date!!!
timsalmon
Quote:
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Originally Posted by timsalmon
Whenever I try running this software trying this out on my old(!) N70 I get a Windows message up saying Nokia Service Layer Host Process has encountered a problem and needs to close. We're sorry for the inconvenience.
Then the usual offer to tell Microsoft via Error Report.
Mmmmm.
Tim
Update: Forgot to say that i turned off all AV and Firewall, rebooted phone and PC. Just the same.
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Had another go at this ths evening and discovered it was the Firewall - still on, apparently! Again. Should have learned by now!
Anyway, it all went smoothly with this N70 but i also think it's reporting less RAM after boot than it used to. It was just over 20MB. I'm sure it used to be more. On Steve's chart over at 3Lib it says 32MB - but I just can't remember. If this is some huge drop, to bring the N70 in line with other low-RAM models, then I don't think it's much of a step forward.
It doesn't seem to be any faster at executing tasks either. In fact, as our friend above says, may be even slower.
Tim
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