Nokia

[lfcrok]

no date for release, no word on content and all ready late enough that they have upset most of there n900 users plus we can assume its going to be the same next time. as we will all still be on a non standard version.

how long and what has changed vodafone i think you will find people are more patient when they at least know what there waiting for

[aquestion]

Hi YoungGun,

Please refer to our Firmware Statement for a more in-depth explanation of why you will not find any information about upcoming firmware releases or release dates on our forum.

It is not a case that we are not finding out for you, but more a case that we simply aren't authorised to give you any information until the firmware has been signed off on and approved for release.

Jon

eForum Team

Hi Jon,

So could you get a statment from some one who is allowed to comment to why the 1.2 firmware has been tested for months yet Vodafone are still humming and hurring?

Could some one from your Firmware testing team (I think its more likely to be one person from the speed of the operations from previous phones)

Maybe if they presented their side of the story in some form of article we might have more understanding of the hardships they have in creating the same firmware has everyone else has but for the product code. If the firmware is different in this case they could explain in detail there should not be any security risks commercial or technical that I can think of and the phone is made for a geeky userbase so im sure most would lap it up.

Sadly most of the posts as people keep stating by admins are saying we dont know read this Genric Faq which is as usless as choclate fireguard.

[aquestion]

Hi smiloose

I do not know the answer to this, you would need to speak to Nokia for more information.

Sukhi
eForum Team

err no from what we understand Vodafone are still working on or is it now nokia delaying the release?

[Lee]

Hi there aquestion,

I'm afraid we have no further information as yet. As soon as we hear anything concrete, we'll pass it on

Cheers,

LeeH
eForum Team

[HoddzDJ]

no date for release, no word on content and all ready late enough that they have upset most of there n900 users plus we can assume its going to be the same next time. as we will all still be on a non standard version.

how long and what has changed vodafone i think you will find people are more patient when they at least know what there waiting for

If I was you fella, I'd flash to the UK Version, and not bother waiting for the Vodafone one to be released cos you will be waiting a very long time!! The PR 1.2 firmware opens up the door to the brand new Ovi Store. It is late, but that's due to security issues as far as I'm aware and Nokia are working on getting that sorted for us all!!

[Memetic]

Given that Nokia made this firmware release avaliable to developers weeks ago, and Vodafone must surely have had access. Plus the fact that Vodafone's claims that if modifies firmware to offer a consistent UI and services are in the firmware FAQ (http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/forum-73/announcement-51-firmware-related-queries/) are complete nonsense as they do not truly do this for the n900. (Vodafone, if you feel that you do, please show us how to get all the services offered on Vodafone Live working on the n900 e.g. mobile TV and also where the full range of Vodafone specific applications and menus are on this handset. If you could also point us to other handsets in your range with identical interfaces that would be interesting.)

It is therfore abysmal service to stop our handsets functionioning as designed for the sake of what appears to be some vanity branding. This is particulalry so when your telephone supptor staff have today told me that I am only buying airtime from Vodafone, not support for third party hardware and software. Contract law aside, that being the case, get out of the way, and let us have the Nokia software directly.

Vodafone's action in blocking access to this upgrade, which is recommended by the equipment manufacturer, may be deemed to be making this tablet computer not fit for purpose, as it will no longer able to interact with the Nokia's online services to download new applications - a key feature that is part of the offer made by Vodafone when selling this product. (Consumer Direct should be able to answer that interesting question tomorrow.)

If that proves to be the case then we will all be within our rights as consumers to require Vodafone to replace or repair the handsets - a costly exercise compared to simply issuing the update now.

Vodafone, recognise that you have got this wrong, we do not need to wait months to have a logo added, deliver the update as designed by Nokia, and do it now.

[Madboy]

I was advised by vodafone, when i had the N97, that they only supplied the airtime as well and they were not responsible for the firmware! I then asked them a simple question, which was “who supplied me the phone”, they advised me that they did, with which i then replied that they were therefore responsible fully as the retailer for the handset! They still argued the case, which made me laugh, lack of training from customer support!

I still cant understand how vodafone are allowed to change open source software, without the owners consent? Unless they do have permission? Maybe a mod can advise us of that?

To be honest i am not bothered as i have flashed to the 203 variant, but dont fully understand why vodafone meddle with open source, its not like they have the vodafone logo at start up or anything!

[Sticky_Mick]

Good point, Memetic.

Are you aware that there is free software available from Maemo extras that allows you to add a new boot animation alongside the handshake?

I've done it and it only took less than 5 minutes to do.

[Madboy]

Good point, Memetic.

Are you aware that there is free software available from Maemo extras that allows you to add a new boot animation alongside the handshake?

I've done it and it only took less than 5 minutes to do.

Now sticky are you answering my post or the post above mate?

[Sticky_Mick]

The one above yours. We both posted at the same time.

[Johnmcl7]

harlowrog - to be fair to the eForum team, I think their hands are completely tied and they have to toe the company line when posting on here. Vodafone have a poor firmware policy and while I don't doubt the eForum do feedback issues, I don't think Vodafone does much about them nor gives much information back as there's been numerous times new firmware has been released and the eForum weren't at all aware of it. The effectively automated responses can be irritating but at the same time I can appreciate that it's a catch 22 situation - the eForum can't actually do anything but if they don't post, they will be criticised for ignoring posts while if they do post they'll be criticised for the copy/paste post.

I have to admit given that the PR1.2 is a decent update I'd probably debrand if I had a Vodafone N900, even if Vodafone eventually release this firmware it's going to be the same waiting game when the next firmware is out.

John

[Memetic]

I have no problem with Vodafone editing the code, being able to edit open source software is kind of the point of it :-)

I do have a problem with them doing so extremely tardily, to no real effect, and consequently to the detrement of their paying customers.

But, while we are on the topic.

Vodafone in accordance with the relevant software licences relating to Maemo and the relevant Nokia firmware, please can you provide a link / details of how to obtain, the source code for the latest Vodafone approved version of the n900 software. As you have modified it, you are I belive legally required to release the source.

Having access to this source will allow the community to compare the Nokia code with the Vodafone code and assess the depth of the cutomisation performed on the curent version, perhaps informing our judgment on whether the "improvements" that are typically made by Vodafone are of sufficient value to justify waiting an indeterminate length of time for.

[noal]

This is exactly the reason I have just flashed mine.

It was the first time I've done it and after a little fiddling I'm now on PR 1.2.

If you wait for vodafone then you may as well make sure you have plenty of food in cause it won't be coming anytime soon!
It is exactly the same situation I had with the N97 and with all future phones I will be doing the same.

[Johnmcl7]

Memetic - Maemo isn't open source, as Nokia state themselves it 'includes certain free/open source software', neither Nokia or Vodafone are under any obligation to release their own code which is separate to the open source components hence you don't see other devices running Maemo while the N900 can run Android. It's all a moot point anyway because as far as I'm aware Vodafone don't actually make much (aside from basic settings) in the way of modifications to the N900 firmware.

John

[Memetic]

@john You say:

Vodafone don't actually make much (aside from basic settings) in the way of modifications to the N900 firmware.

Which is exactly my point in asking for the source (Having forgotten that its not all actually open source!) Vodafone make such minimal changes to the n900 that there is no point in holding up this important release for the sake of assing a couple of logos.

The majority of us using the n900 only need Vodfaone as a bitpipe - they do not even offer half the services that they attempt to push via handset mods for the n900 in any case, so should just get out of the way.

As the OVi store no longer works my n900 handset is no longer functioning as described when it was sold, therfore Vodafone need to replace it.

As we are all in the same boat (unless we have unecessarily installed software manually) I suggest we all return our n900s. And when the replacements arrive without the latest Nokia issued firmware, return them as the Ovi store, an integral part of the offering, will still not work.

The message that Vodafone need to get their act together and release this update will be recieved when the cost of the repair process is noticed - or when Nokia get a whole load of physically perfect handsets back!

[Johnmcl7]

There's no need to ask for the source, it's blatantly obvious what Vodafone do (or more accurately don't do) with the firmware. People have been complaining on this forum for years about Vodafone not releasing firmware updates for phones and it's not made any difference whatsosever. The N900 isn't a mainstream phone as it is and I doubt you'll find many people (if any) prepared to go through a clumsy returns procedure and do without their phone for the sake of it as Vodafone will just return the phone back as they have done when people have previously tried it.

I know this sounds pessimistic and defeatist but I think tackling Vodafone on this is just going to disadvantage of you, a massive proportion of Vodafone's users have no clue about firmware which is why Vodafone can get away with it and that's unlikely to change either.

John

[oddbubble]

just to let you all know that after i phoned vodafone about this, and spent an hour complain, they gave me £10 of my linerental for a month, i no it dont make up for them refusing to release the update but at least there admitting they are at fault, what also gets me is the whole reason i moved from orange was because of there custom firmware, and the fact that people on other networks had more features on there phones, now it seams that vodafone have become worse, they are to busy hindering our devises to care what the customer wants, we dont want custom firmware it serves no purpose to us, it does not give a better experience, phone companies should do what apple have done, and not allow custom firmware, also the vodafone engineers cant tell that you have flashed you phone to a different firmware if you have a smashed screen(witch helps if you have insurance) and just to let those of you who dont quite understand how to flash a handset, at most nokia service points, if u ask they will flash it to generic for you, as they work for nokia not vodafone


i forgot to add, i was told by my local vodafone shop when i inquired about flashing my phone before i done it, and it invalidating the vodafone warranty, he asked if i have insurance and when i said yes, he just said say you lost it

[HoddzDJ]

i forgot to add, i was told by my local vodafone shop when i inquired about flashing my phone before i done it, and it invalidating the vodafone warranty, he asked if i have insurance and when i said yes, he just said say you lost it

You can re-flash BACK to the Vodafone firmware, so you then in effect re-validate your Vodafone warranty. Simple as that. That is why flashing to the latest non-branded firmware is so risk free!! It's easier than other models aswell, anyone can do it.

[Madboy]

i forgot to add, i was told by my local vodafone shop when i inquired about flashing my phone before i done it, and it invalidating the vodafone warranty, he asked if i have insurance and when i said yes, he just said say you lost it

I hope you advised the guy in the shop that would be insurance fraud! I would have taken the guys name and reported him to the manager, as fraud is not the best thing to do!

[oddbubble]

You can re-flash BACK to the Vodafone firmware, so you then in effect re-validate your Vodafone warranty. Simple as that. That is why flashing to the latest non-branded firmware is so risk free!! It's easier than other models aswell, anyone can do it.

yeah i no, i rember the hassle flashing my n97