[Hands0n]

The Nokia Software Updater (NSU) is now offering firmware V 12.0.014 for all you T-Mobile N95 users out there. This is the latest and greatest, it has been out in the Asia Pacific for generic Nokia N95s since at least 13th July. Lots of bug fixes and speed-ups in the package (don't ask, I don't have the list).

My eldest updated his a few days back, it faulted the first time and he had to use the 3-button recovery step. The next time he tried it worked fine. We think the laptop may have blipped! If you're using a laptop best make sure you're plugged into the mains to avoid any possibility of trouble.

Also, if you are using a shared Internet connection - try and make sure that everyone else is off so that you get the maximum bandwidth during the download. Some have reported issues if the download is interrupted or slowed down by other traffic on the line.

[whatleydude]

Had it for ages...

;)

[Hands0n]

Yea, me too, on the Vodafone N95 after changing the Product Code - as one does ;)

But it is now out in the wild for the UK-issue from [at least] T-Mobile. Could be for the other brands also - but I don't know about that for sure.

[Ben]

Grats! And I mean that!

I wonder what took so long about the T-Mobile firmware? Isn't branding just rediculous when it causes delays like this!

Perhaps the priority has been bumped a little by increased N95 sales... Flexterfolk upgrading?

[gorilla]

There are rumours that there is going to be another big release soon for the N95. I'll have a quick search and see if I can't post a link to back that up! It was supposedly going to be v15 or something daft like that, which indicated major fixes! I'm still getting used to the key bug where it doesn't register a key press.

[bsrjl1]

v20, not sure when or what the content is - bricked my N95 trying to install a trial of it, as the phone rebooted while flashing the fpsx. Then it was rebooting every 3 minutes, which isn't long enough to flash with USB... Local Service Centre put it on the FPS & did it back to the original software. And I haven't tried again!

[Hands0n]

I updated my T-Mobile N95 tonight to 12.0.013 19-06-07 RM-159 (43.04) faultlessly and first time using the Nokia Sofware Updaer. The firmware file size is 112.5MB so be patient if you have a slow(er) ADSL line. It is probably not worth even trying on V92 dial up!

First impressions are that the new firmware is very fast indeed. It is far too early to tell if it is going to be more stable though. The previous version had some little quirks and it will be interesting to see if these have gone away.

I can always recommend updating the firmware to the latest on these handsets. Very often the early or first release firmwares are nearer Beta than Production and early adopters always have to sustain problems while the bugs are written out in later versions.

Very Important - Make sure that you have the handset fully charged or plugged into the charger while doing the update. Writing the firmware can put a drain on the battery. If in doubt have it on the charger while running the updater.

NB: I used Parallels Desktop (build 3214) running Windows XP on a Mac Pro. It controlled the USB port very well indeed, switching in and out as the handset flipped from PC Suite mode to BB5 Loader mode and back again. Impressive as handling hardware from within a virtual machine is fraught with danger. Parallels does it well.

[timothythetim]

Cheers, HandsOn.
Just updated my N95 completely hassle free with Software Updater. Seems to be running a lot quicker.
The GPS is now very good and actually useable. Previously it was a bit rubbish.
There are a few changes to the web browser which is a bit annoying, as before I thought it was brilliant. I suppose it will be better once I'm used to it.

[Ben]

NB: I used Parallels Desktop (build 3214) running Windows XP on a Mac Pro. It controlled the USB port very well indeed, switching in and out as the handset flipped from PC Suite mode to BB5 Loader mode and back again. Impressive as handling hardware from within a virtual machine is fraught with danger. Parallels does it well.
That was a bit bloody brave!!!

Thanks, though, for being the guinea pig, now I will be more confident to go down that route in the future! ;)

[Hands0n]

That was a bit bloody brave!!!

Thanks, though, for being the guinea pig, now I will be more confident to go down that route in the future! ;)

:) Cheers, but I can't claim the title "Brave" as I've used Parallels for NSU and NSS several times before - albeit not on my premium phones. The first time I was positively pooping myself :D But it has worked each and every time - same on the MBP too.

I can recommend it - but best to try it out on a sacraficial lamb first :)

[miffed]

I used Bootcamp / Vista to do my e90 , but I used parallels / XP in the past - (with the n80 )
TBH the N80 cost me very little , but it was not a conscious decision , Parallels seems so "robust" & reliable that I didn't give it a second thought - it was only when i was about 25% of the way through ... when I thought "oh , crap! this could be a bit dodgy " - but all was fine !

[The Mullet of G]

There are rumours that there is going to be another big release soon for the N95. I'll have a quick search and see if I can't post a link to back that up! It was supposedly going to be v15 or something daft like that, which indicated major fixes! I'm still getting used to the key bug where it doesn't register a key press.

The key bug is pretty tedious, it drove me mad for the first few days until I realized it was the phone and not me that was at fault, you've got to hope they'll fix it in the next update. :)

[Hands0n]

I never noticed the key bug until recently myself. I thought that I'd lost the ability :D

[Ben]

I haven't noticed it in my N95. I've been using the 8GB a lot more, and haven't noticed it in that either. Any dead cert way to reproduce the issue?

[Hands0n]

I find that it shows up if I press the keys "too quickly" i.e. my normal speed. If I slow down my typing it works okay .... :(

[The Mullet of G]

I get it quite often while texting which makes for some interesting predictive text moments. Also when you press and hold the media key it should open the music player, but since the update I have to repeat the press and hold before it opens. I suspect the media key could be the route cause of the overall key bug, previous versions of the firmware and indeed previous handsets always had media key issues where it would stop working and require a restart, now it doesn't require a restart only a double press, making me think when they half fixed one problem they caused an even bigger one.

[Ben]

I don't use T9, I wonder if it's restricted to that?

[Hands0n]

I don't use T9, I wonder if it's restricted to that?

Oh please, no! I can't go back to Multitap :(

[Ben]

Oh please, no! I can't go back to Multitap :(
I suppose your old stumps need assistance ;)

[Hands0n]

The funny thing is, I took ages to get used to T9. Now that I have it is almost impossible for me to get along with Multitap.

[The Mullet of G]

It'd be interesting to see how many button presses T9 has saved us over the years. In the future humans will evolve into 2 seperate species, normal thumbed T9 users and a band of stub thumbed non users, obviously T9 users will rule the world due to there ability to beat there T9 shy brothers in a thumb wrestle...thumb wrestling being the future way of resolving world disputes. :D