Nokia N95 8gb - Vodafone Approved Software Update Options

[Richierichard]

In other words... because we don't stock it anymore, those customers who have one don't really matter to us.

[antill]

In other words... because we don't stock it anymore, those customers who have one don't really matter to us.

My thoughts exactly.....

[JohnMcL7]

Not really, although that's the excuse they're using right now it's the same policy for 'active' handsets that have not been discontinued.

John

[shatnersbosun]

I thought firmware support for my phone would be provided for the duration of the contract I'm paying handsomely for - not until a new model was available to other people (oh wait, Vodafone get further revenue with the latter - I'm already contracted).

Since this is the N95 8GB's final update, which according to changelog enhances functions and is not just a minor tweak, I don't see what the hassle is in releasing it. It can't be that great a drain on VF resources in UK.

Oh, and N95 8GB still on display in Glasgow VF shops, although obviously people will take the new N96. So to be pedantic the N95 8GB would still be an option.

Sunday rant over.

Aaand relax.

[Daz_Vodafone]

Hi guys,

I'll pass your concerns over to the Devices Team for a straight-from-the-horses-mouth response

I certainly agree with you guys that it is frustrating when a release isn't made available, especially if one is waiting on that release for fixes etc...

Will update you on this when I recieve a response

Thanks for your patience, and we do value all our customers, even if it sometimes may not feel like it when you're suffering a specfic problem. All you have to do is let us know, and we're on the case!!!!

That's why we're here




Daz

eForum Team

[shatnersbosun]

Hi guys,

I'll pass your concerns over to the Devices Team for a straight-from-the-horses-mouth response

I certainly agree with you guys that it is frustrating when a release isn't made available, especially if one is waiting on that release for fixes etc...

Will update you on this when I recieve a response

Thanks for your patience, and we do value all our customers, even if it sometimes may not feel like it when you're suffering a specfic problem. All you have to do is let us know, and we're on the case!!!!

That's why we're here




Daz

eForum Team

I'll be watching and waiting with interest, Daz.

As you're clearly aware, people pay for such premium devices for the performance and functionality, they're marketed as flagship models. Due to the software complexity and power usage firmware updates are essential in order to fix software bugs, enhance performance of system and battery, and provide new functions. (All as correctly advised by yourselves throughout this forum.) So without the latest firmware your device doesn't realise it's potential.

As I've mentioned, V30 appears to be the final firmware release for this model, and not an insignificant one. I'll be using my device for at least another 8 months, and many others will be tied to contracts (and the hence the device) for even longer. And we're all still paying top whack prices for a "top whack" device.

When it comes time to renew contract I'll certainly be bearing firmware update releases in mind as I look around for most appropriate package.

So come on, Vodafone...do the right thing.

[iceage]

Hi iceage

Hmmmm good question, let me have a look at this for you.....
I have sent an email to our device specialists for them to have a look at when/if we intend to release the firmware and I will get back to you with some more information.....

Watch this space!

Claire

eforum Team nocturnal

Hi Claire,

I know that there have been other comments on the page regarding the support for updates, however the main concern that I have is the bug fixes, did you manage to find out from the device support specialists if they were going to provide a Vodafone badged V30 update ? I am quite concerned that support has been withdrawn so quickly. It would be interesting to see what other carriers policy is. Has anyone done that bit of research ?

Only want my camera working correctly

Regards

Andy

[Tom_Vodafone]

Hi everyone,

To confirm what I'd said previously we aren't planning on releasing a Vodafone version of this firmware.

I appreciate you wanting to get the latest versions, but the answer we've received is that we won't be releasing the updated version. As this is the definite answer on this topic I'm going to close the thread.

If any of you are having problems with your handsets at the moment, please feel free to start a new thread and we'll get the problems sorted for you

You might find some handy hints and tips on the N95 8GB in our N95 Help Centre too.

Thanks,

Tom

eForum Team

[smids]

I've been following this forum for a number of months now but only took it upon myself to register today.

The forum teams do a sterling job, however this does not detract from the fact that the software is flawed.

Thank you for the link to the tips, Tom. However, having perused the pages, I was unable to find an entry for the music player crash. The one where, when you load music onto the phone and attempt to refresh, the phone crashes. This did not occur in either the v11 or v15 firmwares and was introduced in v20. Apparently this is fixed in v30. Is there any point in making a new thread to look for a fix for this. You state:

please feel free to start a new thread and we'll get the problems sorted for you

...however I am not sure how you intend to do this for my problem (let alone the video) without perhaps offering a firmware downgrade option or indeed releasing the v30 firmware.

The crux of my post is as follows; will Vodafone be offering people a firmware downgrade option at all? This is the only fix I know for the now troublesome media player which I use very regularly.

[JohnMcL7]

It would be interesting to see what other carriers policy is. Has anyone done that bit of research ?



Only want my camera working correctly

Regards

Andy

I have been wondering the same and I've been trying to find out, in theory if you know the network's product code you can just go to the Nokia site and see what the latest update.  One O2 product code seems to be v30, I can't seem to find the product codes for the other networks as people normally only list the generic firmwares to debrand to.




John

[Richierichard]

Hi everyone,

To confirm what I'd said previously we aren't planning on releasing a Vodafone version of this firmware.

I appreciate you wanting to get the latest versions, but the answer we've received is that we won't be releasing the updated version. As this is the definite answer on this topic I'm going to close the thread.

Don't suppose they mentioned why by any chance? Too much hard work for an "out of date" phone perhaps?

[JohnMcL7]

As I've said, it's the same policy for all phones - firmware updates are released to correct major bugs but after then there's rarely any updates. The E90 is actually in a worse state with much older firmware than the current N95 8GB FW with no sign of an update and the E90 is still a 'current' phone.

John

[iceage]

...however I am not sure how you intend to do this for my problem (let alone the video) without perhaps offering a firmware downgrade option or indeed releasing the v30 firmware.

The crux of my post is as follows; will Vodafone be offering people a firmware downgrade option at all? This is the only fix I know for the now troublesome media player which I use very regularly.

I presume this will be a return of the handset to a Voda store if the downgrade can be carried out. I would like to drop down as I can definately say V20 caused the vidoe jitter issue that constantly bugs me (in fact I have stopped using the video).

Tom - Shall I open a new video Jitter on N95 thread ?

Does anyone here subscribe to a general N95 forum where we may be able to gather some product codes from other carriers to check on their policies ?

Regards

Andy

[robinhood1701]

Hi shatnersbosun,

As the N95 8GB isn't a product we sell any more, and the firmware version currently available is known to work well on the device, there are no plans to release the newer version 30 firmware.

Thanks,

Tom

eForum Team

Tom,
am waiting for a VF upgrade to my N95 8GB, on VF V20.0 at mo, reading what you said above,
can you explain this link below,
Which was a page active at VF's online shop on 04/12/2008 plz?
VF Online Shop, Nokia N95 8GB

[Kirsty_Vodafone]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for you posts and I am sorry that it wasn't the answer that you were hoping for, but it is good that you do have a definitive answer.



There isn't a way with Vodafone to downgrade your firmware. We only offer upgrades of firmware to our latest version.

Tom,
am waiting for a VF upgrade to my N95 8GB, on VF V20.0 at mo, reading what you said above,
can you explain this link below,
Which was a page active at VF's online shop on 04/12/2008 plz?
VF Online Shop, Nokia N95 8GB

The phone is still listed in the online store and has yet to be removed - however you will notice that this is no way to actually buy the phone anymore.

I'm sure this clears it up.



Kirsty
eForum Team

[smids]

It clears it up perfectly - despite my phone still being within 12 months of original purchase (and 13 months from release), it is no longer fully supported.

It furthermore clears up my decision to leave VF. I was happy enough to put up with the flakey reception (even though I live in a strong 3G signal area apparently and at one of the highest points in Kent with all other operators giving good signals, even O2 who apparently use the same masts) and occasional network problem but seriously, if my phone is now stuck on a firmware which hinders some of the main functions and won't be fixed because it apparently (though this is clearly not the case) is not economically viable to update, I cannot remain. And I was really happy with my K800i before this... shame. 6 months to go...

[shatnersbosun]

I originally got N95 8GB as upgrade from O2, but cancelled within 14 days and switched to new contract with VF (at additional monthly cost of nearly £8) coz device was launched on VF, it was "their" phone, and was told they offered best support and functions for device.

As it's packed with so many functions I bit the bullet and decided the extra expense was worth paying, as it seemed best way to guarantee optimum performance.

Well that decision's now right up there with investing in Icelandic banks.

Cheers.

[DaveN_Vodafone]

Hi Smids,

With the handset being superceded by the N96, we will not be offering or supporting any new versions of the firmware.

Just because we aren't selling the handset now, though, does not mean that we aren't supporting it any more. We know that a lot of our customers still use handsets after we stop selling them, so it would be a terrible decision just to abandon them. Any active warranties are unaffected by this, and we are still here to offer assistance as required.

DaveN

eForum Team

[JayTay]

Having followed this topic on and off I'd just like to add my voice that find this decision to be at best foolish and at worst a slap in the face to customers. The policy of "we don't sell it so no more firmware upgrades" is so blinkered as to be insulting. Were Nokia to find some terrible bug that caused the phone to reboot though some innocuous action (in a Google G1 style) would Vodafone simply ignore it? The fact that the phone is a) actively having firmware upgrades from Nokia and b) was, until recently, still sold by Vodafone makes me question who made this decision. I have to echo smids' comments and suspect I shan't be renewing my contract when it comes up for renewal, not that other networks are necessarily better of course (my partner's T-mobile N95 firmware was stuck at 10.something last I checked).

[JohnMcL7]

"we don't sell it so no more firmware upgrades" - I've said it numerous times in this thread, this isn't the policy, the lack of firmware upgrades is nothing to do with the N95 being discontinued. This is Vodafone standard stance for all handsets in that they only provide firmware updates if they fix a major bug with the handset - there are currently other handsets missing major firmware updates and also not discontinued.

John