Firmware Update -- Engadget Mobile

firmware update posts

Novatel MiFi 2200 gets new firmware, now stays on even when you don't need it

by Tim Stevens posted Oct 26th 2009 @ 9:05AM

MiFi gets new firmware, now stays on even when you don't need it

If you're using one of the various MiFi incarnations, you may have been slightly annoyed at the thing shutting itself down after a few minutes of inactivity. It's a lovely feature to save juice when running disconnected -- a little less desirable when running on AC. There's a new firmware in town and it does away with such bad behavior whilst also adding better compatibility with the Nintendo DS and BlackBerry Curve. It's not an automatic update, though, so you'll need to dig through some menus to make the magic happen, but we're sure you can figure it out. (If you get stuck, the read link has pictures.)

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

HTC Hero firmware update peps up the Sense Experience to something usable

by Paul Miller posted Sep 14th 2009 @ 3:56PM

Good news for HTC Hero early adopters: HTC has a new firmware update out now for the device, and it considerably speeds up the interface if the multitude of reports to be found on the internet can be believed. Seeing as this was the number one gripe with the overall excellent UI, we're incredibly glad HTC has gotten work on this, and we'll be spending some more time with the device to return our newly tinted impressions. There's a video after the break demonstrating changes, and most actions seems quite a bit quicker and smoother, all the way down to opening and closing the apps menu, and sliding between home screens. The update doesn't really include much else in the way of features, but since it's addressing the main pain point of the phone, we sure don't mind -- and neither will Sprint users, who we suppose will be getting this newly improved interface right out of the gate.

[Via Gizmodo]

Continue reading HTC Hero firmware update peps up the Sense Experience to something usable

T-Mobile G1 won't see any Android updates beyond 1.5 (update: maybe it will)

by Darren Murph posted Aug 17th 2009 @ 7:23PM

Pioneering T-Mobile G1 owners have been enjoying the spoils of Android 1.5 (or Cupcake, as it's known 'round these parts) for months now, but it looks as if that very treat will be the last taste of confectionery goodness that the smartphone gets. According to Android software engineer Dave Sparks, a time is soon coming when devs "wont be able to fit the latest [Android] release on the G1's internal flash," and yet another engineer has chimed in via Twitter to say that he "can't promise" that any update after 1.5 will fit. For whatever reason, HTC gifted the G1 with an incredibly meager amount of internal flash, and considering that no Android phone will support app storage / loading from a microSD card, there's no way to free up room for Donut, Eclair or Flan. You've been a real champ, G1, but without 2.0+, we just can't give you the love and devotion you truly need. Go on, call us fickle -- we deserve it.

[Via Electronista and jkOnTheRun]

Update: We've received a statement directly from T-Mobile on the matter, saying "We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate." It's unclear whether those are just going to be security and stability updates to 1.5 or whether we'll see wholesale new versions like Donut and beyond, but for the sake of G1 owners everywhere, we're hoping it's the latter.

Android Dev Phones get early shot at Cupcake

by Paul Miller posted Apr 27th 2009 @ 12:36PM

While mere mortals will most likely have to wait until May to get at Cupcake (probably even stooping so low as to refer to it as Android 1.5, those commoners), the proud, good-looking possessors of Android Dev Phones can get at the update right this instant from HTC's website. Naturally, we'd assume somebody's going to figure out how to get these images onto rooted G1s before long, but we wouldn't want to over estimate the intelligence or temerity of the proletariat.

[Via Talk Android]

T-Mobile Germany website indicates May launch for Cupcake

by Donald Melanson posted Apr 24th 2009 @ 1:21PM

It's not exactly a huge surprise considering that the Cupcake-powered HTC Magic is confirmed to be coming out May 5th, but T-Mobile Germany's website now looks to have also confirmed that the Cupcake update itself will also be rolling out to G1 users sometime the same month -- in Germany, at least. That'll of course bring with it the much-desired on-screen keyboard, along with video recording, stereo Bluetooth support, and some new integration with Picasa and YouTube, among other fixes and additions. As you can see above, the update will "skillfully" install itself on your G1 as soon as it's available, so you needn't do anything except go on about your daily business in the meantime, or check the interwebs furiously for a means of jumping the cue.

[Via Talk Android]

Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic gets its first firmware update: aww!

by Darren Murph posted Feb 9th 2009 @ 3:59PM

It's always a momentous occasion when a hot-as-white-fire handset sees its first firmware update, but the latest package -- designed to get your 5800 XpressMusic up to v20.0.0.12 -- is way more than just cute. Available now for downloading, the update adds in camera photo geotagging, full device search and marginally faster operation overall. Users can opt for an OTA update or the traditional PC Suite approach, and if you're somewhat terrified about engaging in either, just take a deep breath, hit the read link, and follow the instructions. We swear it'll be alright.

iPhone firmware update 2.2.1 brings minor stability improvements

by Paul Miller posted Jan 27th 2009 @ 2:05PM

No copy and paste here, move along everyone! What you can expect in the new, just-released 2.2.1 software update for the iPhone is "improved general stability of Safari" -- always encouraging -- and a fix for saved Mail images not showing up just right in the camera roll. It's like Christmas in January!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic gets firmware update v11.0.08

by Sean Cooper posted Jan 14th 2009 @ 11:54PM

Apparently news of the firmware update for Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic popped up late December, but is only just now available for everybody to get at. The change list is huge (and can be perused via the read link) but highlights include: Google search fix, browser fixes for flash, messaging application crashes, and other UI tweaks it seems. As with all firmware updates, back up your stuff, read the instructions, then follow the instructions. So fire up your NSU (Nokia's Software Update) application and (update it if needed) good luck, have fun, play safe.

[Via Mobileburn]

Nokia N79 gets first firmware update, and it's a big one

by Darren Murph posted Dec 22nd 2008 @ 11:35AM

Four-thousand, five-hundred and eighteen. That gigantic number is the amount of words (if our trusty word counting robot here isn't fibbing) that details the changelog in Nokia's very first N79 update. The handset, which was just launched a few months back and only hit US hands last week, has been updated from version 10.046 to version 11.049, and boy, what an update it is. For very obvious reasons, we can't even begin to scratch the surface on the copious amount of changes included in the new release, but given that practically every possible aspect was addressed, we'd recommend downloading at your earliest convenience. Or you could read up on the changes first, but you'll probably get done around the time the N79's successor arrives on store shelves.

[Via Symbian-Guru]

New Nokia N95-1 firmware v30 released, other N95 sets have to wait, again

by Sean Cooper posted Sep 5th 2008 @ 3:57PM

Ah yes, there's nothing quite as capable of robbing us of an afternoon of work as a firmware update, is there? The joy of discovery, re-installing all your apps, contacts, and such is as painful as it is uniquely fun. Of course, you can skip all this if you're the proud owner of an American 3G N95, because your time hasn't come, yet. Crazyk, a forum user over Nokia Support Discussions mentions that boot time has been reduced in firmware 3.0.015 to 15 or 16 seconds, camera colors seem better, autorotate's a go, a new share online icon has appeared, and Maps 2.0's in there. Of course, make sure you back up your stuff before you fire up Nokia Software Update to begin this journey, just in case you bump into a problem on the way. Feel free to drop us a post and let us know how it goes.

iPhone firmware 2.0.2 is out... and angry

by Joshua Topolsky posted Aug 18th 2008 @ 5:18PM

Well okay, we don't know if it's angry or not, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the 2.0.2 update of Apple's phone OS is out there for your downloading pleasure (via iTunes, specifically). So far, all we know is that this iteration tackles those pesky "bugs," but what those exact bugs are, we couldn't say... nor could Apple. We're grabbing now and will update with any exciting developments.

Update: Well we've got the new firmware up and running, and it's true -- those bugs have been fixed. Which bugs? Well, it's still hard to say, but our voice suddenly sounds deeper, and we've noticed improved grammar during calls.

Nokia's N95 8GB for North America gets v20 firmware as well

by Paul Miller posted May 28th 2008 @ 12:20AM

It isn't hard to see to perks to Apple's "one size fits all" approach to software for the iPhone and iPod touch. After making N95-3 (the regular ol' N95 for North America) users wait months to get the software updates of their European counterparts, it took 'em another few days to get the N95-4 (the 8GB version for North America) up to snuff as well. Of course, the N95 8GB already had a few of the software improvements, but this seems to pull it in line with the v20 firmware all the cool kids are rocking. Unfortunately it's not all gravy, you're going to have to do all the heavy lifting of backing up and re-installing your apps, and we've been having trouble getting the update to work at all on our particular 8GB -- we'll let you know how that goes. Still, the speed gains are (probably) worth all the hassle, so fire that sucker up and get updating!

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Update: Problem solved, turned out to be a bum USB port on the PC we were using. You may also run into Vista compatibility issues using Nokia's Software Update app, though we had no problems when we told Vista to front like XP SP2 using the shortcut. Proceed at your own risk!

Nokia fesses to looming N95-3 software update, fails to mention specifics

by Darren Murph posted May 18th 2008 @ 3:18AM

It's been a solid tick since the North American N95, also referred to as the N95-3, received a software update. For those clamoring for a little love from Nokia's dev team, listen up: an administrator over at the outfit's forums has admitted that the Software Update crew has a new version in the works. We're told that they've heard the demands for a fresh release, and they're toiling away in order to bring it to N95-3 owners by early June. Unfortunately, we're not told what new features we can expect, and even worse, "early June" seems like eons away, doesn't it?

[Via Symbian-Guru]

Motorola iDEN software updates vanish into thin air

by Chris Ziegler posted May 9th 2008 @ 2:46PM

Alright, let's start firing up the conspiracy theory engines, shall we? Motorola's iDEN Software Upgrades site -- one of the first around to offer handset firmware upgrades directly to customers -- has been mysteriously pulled down with nary a clue as to the reason or when they might be back up. All we know is that they're "currently unavailable" and that we should check back at a "later time." We imagine new firmware builds for these rugged warriors aren't exactly the hottest thing going to begin with (and let's be honest, what percentage of iDEN users even knew this site existed to begin with?) but let's hope Moto has a plan to bring these back out nonetheless.

[Via Unwired View and PhoneNews]

iPhone 2.0 software update hits in June

by Paul Miller posted Mar 6th 2008 @ 12:50PM

That sound you hear? A million rabid iPhone users crying. After teasing us with mountains of glorious SDK features and apps, Apple dropped the bomb that we won't be getting any of those features until the iPhone / iPod touch 2.0 software update, which arrives as a free update in June and includes App Store. Selected developers will get a chance at a beta version of 2.0 to test their new applications out as of today, and we have a funny feeling somebody's going to be putting in some hours to try and crack this thing for the rest of us. In addition to the SDK-related features, the 2.0 update brings parental controls, such as allowing parents to turn of Safari or the App Store to keep those kiddies safe, and boosts mail functionality with PowerPoint viewing and mass message moving / deleting (freaking finally).