The Nokia N96 gets a big firmware update: v12.043
Published by Steve Litchfield at 13:52 UTC, December 8th 2008
Released a few minutes ago, the Nokia N96 just got its v12 update, to v12.043. See below for any changes or observations. The update's about 3MB over-the-air (a block-patch process using Red Bend's software, as usual, this seems to work really well) or about 120MB via Nokia's Software Update. Comments welcome if you're tagging along too...
The usual caveats apply about backing up before updating (preferably to memory card), but in theory your settings, data and applications will remain intact.
The other usual caveat is about this only applying to SIM-free, non-network-branded devices. Obviously. If your phone is network branded then your update will be along in a month or two....
Main changes for v12.043:
- General operation is faster, smoother and with less glitches (obviously. This is patently mainly a fix-up update - see the comments below for a fuller list)
- Improvements to camera operation (better focussing) and (possibly) to video capture quality, although it's still demonstrably not as good as video capture on the N95 and N82, for example.
- Improved Wi-Fi performance. Connects faster, and Range Improved
- Now 45MB RAM free after boot. (Anyone know what it was before? 45MB doesn't seem enough....)
There's obviously a long way still to go on the N96 though. I had it refuse to recognise a USB connection only two minutes after the update. Sorted by a device reboot, but...
What else have you noticed?
Steve Litchfield
PS. For more on Red Bend and the block-patching process, see our video here
PPS. It seems that p@sco beat me to the news by one minute! Gah. One day I'll beat him to the punch!! 8-)
Categories: Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
oxfordmark
It only took a few mins to download and install! :)
I really do think i was the 1st to discover this! :)
I posted the news on the Nokia discussion boards "8-Dec-2008 01:28 PM" so obv 5 mins before that time i was aware there was an update :p
I really do think i was the 1st to discover this! :)
I posted the news on the Nokia discussion boards "8-Dec-2008 01:28 PM" so obv 5 mins before that time i was aware there was an update :p
Micky!
Just updated myself. menu navigation appears to be somewhat quicker, less lagging, and also the camera appears to focus more relistically now, not too fast as before.
Any further findings, I will let you know.
EDIT..
Improved WiFi Performance. Connects faster, and Range Improved.
Main Camera Improvements to focus. (Used to be too fast).
Menu Navigation much smoother, and no lagging.
Any further findings, I will let you know.
EDIT..
Improved WiFi Performance. Connects faster, and Range Improved.
Main Camera Improvements to focus. (Used to be too fast).
Menu Navigation much smoother, and no lagging.
slitchfield
Thanks, Micky, I'll tweak the main news text....
clintonjeff
Egads, about time !
Nick17
Great update! Much faster WLAN. More RAM and no more pincode for watching t.v.-recordings.
The N96 is the best handset for people who can get DVB-H and probably will be for some time!
The N96 is the best handset for people who can get DVB-H and probably will be for some time!
Unregistered
it seems that nokia have forgot totally N79
Micky!
NEW FEATURES IN THIS RELEASE
Switch 4.0 – improved switch application to transfer user data from/to other devices
IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS RELEASE / GENERAL AREAS
Still image quality is improved, with fixes for color haziness and motion blur that appeared under certain conditions
Many fixes for conditions that can lead to application crashes or instabilities
Improved overall Bluetooth interoperability Improved overall Bluetooth interoperability
Now compatible with Nokia Email service (application available as separate download)
If user sets brightness to maximum value the display backlight now does turn back on after screensaver mode
The device autolock no longer locks the device while viewing or recording videos
SMS no longer gets auto-converted to an MMS message if there are more then 20 recipients
Music Player “Refresh Library” no longer hangs if General Settings Date separator is set to “:”
Now only one message alert tone is played per synchronization with Mail for Exchange, instead of one per message
Fix for issue with alarm snoozing when alarm was set and device was powered off
Theme no longer jumps back to default theme after using USB mass storage mode
CSHelp texts are now updated to resolves several identified issues
KNOWN ISSUES IN THIS RELEASE
During boot, we recommend to wait for battery bar to show up prior to using media keys to ensure they are responsive.
Ngage pre-selects wrong access point in certain operator networks, in these instances user needs to reconfigure Ngage access points manually from within Ngage settings menu
Thanks to Mr G of N95users for the heads up.
Switch 4.0 – improved switch application to transfer user data from/to other devices
IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS RELEASE / GENERAL AREAS
Still image quality is improved, with fixes for color haziness and motion blur that appeared under certain conditions
Many fixes for conditions that can lead to application crashes or instabilities
Improved overall Bluetooth interoperability Improved overall Bluetooth interoperability
Now compatible with Nokia Email service (application available as separate download)
If user sets brightness to maximum value the display backlight now does turn back on after screensaver mode
The device autolock no longer locks the device while viewing or recording videos
SMS no longer gets auto-converted to an MMS message if there are more then 20 recipients
Music Player “Refresh Library” no longer hangs if General Settings Date separator is set to “:”
Now only one message alert tone is played per synchronization with Mail for Exchange, instead of one per message
Fix for issue with alarm snoozing when alarm was set and device was powered off
Theme no longer jumps back to default theme after using USB mass storage mode
CSHelp texts are now updated to resolves several identified issues
KNOWN ISSUES IN THIS RELEASE
During boot, we recommend to wait for battery bar to show up prior to using media keys to ensure they are responsive.
Ngage pre-selects wrong access point in certain operator networks, in these instances user needs to reconfigure Ngage access points manually from within Ngage settings menu
Thanks to Mr G of N95users for the heads up.
Nick17
I got a new Access Point after FOTA: "Mail & Java"..
Looks like a faster connect to push-mail-server.. ;-)
Looks like a faster connect to push-mail-server.. ;-)
Unregistered
45 Mb after boot ?!
It was the same with the previous version...
It was the same with the previous version...
Unregistered
i just tried fota and it didn't work
tnkgrl
Doesn't seem to be available for the N96 NAM.
Unregistered
Yeah it is 45MB of free RAM now, before update was about 10 less
cheers
Andrzej
cheers
Andrzej
slitchfield
On the RAM front it's worth noting that, unlike with the N79 and N85 (etc), an awful lot of the S60 modules are preloaded into RAM for speed, explaining why there's not as much available after booting.
I'd hope they tune it a little better though, since 45MB isn't going to be enough once you crank an N-Gage game and some heavy web pages.....
I'd hope they tune it a little better though, since 45MB isn't going to be enough once you crank an N-Gage game and some heavy web pages.....
Unregistered
keypad light seems to be dim in day time. And free ram 49mb
malerocks
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
keypad light seems to be dim in day time.
|
Unregistered
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by malerocks
It is supposed to be... that is what the ambient light sensor is for on the phone.
|
Unregistered
hello!
i also upgraded the firmware but now the usb cable doesn't work no matter what i do.
the phone doesn't recognize the cable and i can't put the backup back in the phone because of it.
help!!
i also upgraded the firmware but now the usb cable doesn't work no matter what i do.
the phone doesn't recognize the cable and i can't put the backup back in the phone because of it.
help!!
Unregistered
after restarting several times and reinstalling the pc suite and connectivity drivers it works again.
but when i try to put back the backup to the phone through pc suite it turns off and on...and cannot find the data cable again...i hope they can fix it in the next upgrade. does anyone of you have an idea to fix this cable issue? normally if i plug it in i get a direct response from my phone but not after this upgrade...
but when i try to put back the backup to the phone through pc suite it turns off and on...and cannot find the data cable again...i hope they can fix it in the next upgrade. does anyone of you have an idea to fix this cable issue? normally if i plug it in i get a direct response from my phone but not after this upgrade...
ILoveGadgets
Worked fine over-the-air for me. All settings remained intact, not quite the huge speed difference I'd hoped for though.
ILG
ILG
Unregistered
the N96 DOES have a light sensor, its at the top left-hand side of the screen.
Unregistered
Does the n96 still take nearly half a minute to load a write new text message screen? or has this firmware update fixed that?
ouq77
Tried the OTA update, which didn't work - kept rebooting, but not installing. Then updated via the conventional method. My battery suddenly drain ultra fast. Bit disappointing. It drained over night (6hours) from full to two bars, with no use, blue tooth & Wlan scanning off. :-(
slitchfield
@ouq77:
Definitely something third party at fault here then. Our v12 N96 just goes for ages on a charge now. Very impressive what Nokia has squeezed from this battery....
Definitely something third party at fault here then. Our v12 N96 just goes for ages on a charge now. Very impressive what Nokia has squeezed from this battery....
Segundo
Which is your product code? Mine itīs stuck on firmware version 10.065... :(
ouq77
Strange thing: my phone drained yesterday in less than 6hours with almost no use. It then went into power saving mode & froze up. I had to remove the battery to get it working again.
Then, after a full charge, it lasted almost 24hours with very heavy use - downloaded about 60mb via wireless, installed a couple of apps, sms's & calls.
Very happy, of course. Hope it stays this way!
@slitchfield: any idea why Nokia Conversations is incompatible with fp2?
Then, after a full charge, it lasted almost 24hours with very heavy use - downloaded about 60mb via wireless, installed a couple of apps, sms's & calls.
Very happy, of course. Hope it stays this way!
@slitchfield: any idea why Nokia Conversations is incompatible with fp2?