**Update** I have done some testing an playing, and have posted new findings (along with a new screenshot for mapping) here. Please visit there, and continue the discussion there. Thank you. **Update**
Seems everything’s getting a nice little refresh lately, with the N73 and N80, and now I’ve gotten these screenshots showing the N95 with a fresh firmware (dated yesterday, no less!) I didn’t get an official changelog (what’s up with those NEVER being available?) but I did get these three screenshots. The first shows that the firmware is dated yestday, 6-19-2007, and is numbered v12.0.013.
Frankly, there’s not *too* many changes that I’ve come across. Available RAM after a fresh boot is still ~18MB. I did check for FOTA, and it’s not there, unfortunately. However, the new version of Nokia Maps is in there, as you can see from this screenshot. This also adds the ability of Assisted-GPS, which uses cell ID’s and their known location to help speed up the process of locking into a location. which uses the device’s data connection to talk to a server that helps it process the locations being sent from the satellite, resulting in a quicker and more efficient location lock.
With A-GPS disabled, it took the N95 a full 74 seconds to lock-on. With A-GPS enabled (and after a power cycle with battery removal), it was only 57 seconds. That’s a 17 second speed boost, and because A-GPS is a learning system that keeps track of known cell-IDs, it will get continually faster. Also, with A-GPS, I was able to get a location lock INDOORS! I tested this by walking from one end of the house to the other, and it followed me on the screen. Freakin SWEET.
The product code for this update is 0536062.
Will be playing more, if there’s anything else that you’d like to know about this new firmware (other than when it will officially be released, cause I don’t know that) then leave it in the comments.
2 questions:
1. Did they finally fix the icons in the log screen? Before, all icons were mobile icons regardless of what they were assigned as (Home, business…)
2. In the 2 pevious official firmwares, in the calendar, all-day reoccuring events never repeated. I have an all day event that i have it set to reoccur every other Friday. On other phones it works properly (shows up on stanby screen every 2 weeks), on the N95, it only shows up the first time but never again after that.
Thanks!
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/06/21/new-n95-firmware-enables-agps-support-who-is-doing-the-assisting.html
Good find, wrote up an article about where all this data is going.
What about the musicplayer? – Darla Mack wrote about the next version supporting simple bookmarking (remember play position) and sorting podcasts in a separate section.
Also, has the bug with recurring alarm messing up the multimedia button/menu been fixed?
Too bad they’ve not improved on the free RAM :-(
Maybe they don’t want to make full changelogs available so that they don’t start circulating the web and news sites with people going “oh my god I can’t believe there were that many bugs and things to fix and improve even in the 3rd version..” further soiling S60s rep as “wait for a couple of updates if you can hold yourself back before you by the newest model” ?
@Peter,
That will be available in the new Podcast application.
Phew, I just was about to install the previous, first actual firmware update for the N95 that came out about a month ago (the one that for example synchronized the camera shutter sound). But as I’ve been wondering how to get the new version of Nokia Maps into my phones ROM anyway I guess I’ll just wait for now – I already assumed that they would have to release a new firmware just for that. Fortunately my precious N95 doesn’t have any too serious software issues apart from rebooting during calls while I’m at home (rarely and only at home – mysteries of technology…)
So thank You for the news right in time and hopefully we’ll hear about and see some more improvements – maybe finally a better battery life, now that the iPhone (sic!) allegedly has gotten way better in that respect. No wonder with no 3G inside!
other imporvements?camera?battery life?thanks
Addendum: After reading the intomobile article the following question came to mind – can You find out how much data gets transfered to and from the server every time You use The “A” in A-GPS? A lock on a satellite might not cost any money, but what about contacting the Nokia servers?
other improvements?camera?battery life?thanks…gps assistent want gprs/umts connection?
After looking at the wikipedia article, I think you’re wrong, the A-GPS does not use the Cell IDs to calculate positions (like the miniGPS app from Psiloc does), but instead it sends the GPS data it gets to a server which makes the calculations faster.
Good lord, how big is your house!
fenomeno83 is correct. Look at the 3rd screenshot and you will notice that the position server needed for aGPS to works asks for an access point either via GPRS/EDGE or WiFi.
Therefore it is not through Cell ID towers but via data it gets off of Nokia servers.
This is frikkin sweet !! Where can i download the ..ahem.. *unofficial* firmware ?? :D
Are they ever going to fix this problem:
The N95 has a terrible memory of last number dialed only goes back so many numbers/days my ancient Palm Treo 650 went back months and could store hundreds of numbers in received and dialed calls. So far this is one of my biggest disappointments with S60, along with a lack of good launcher hack.
you say thers not too many differences from the previous firmware so do you feel that its not a “must do” upgrade?
Thanks for the info, Ricky! I was just wandering around the streets of downtown Seattle getting completely annoyed because my N95′s GPS just wouldn’t lock in at all! I had four satellites, but never got locked in. Hopefully, Assisted GPS will help with this issue, because as far as yesterday went, the GPS was totally worthless. :(
There is absolutely NO WAY that Nokia has a database of all of the cell tower locations in the world. And it’s quite clear from the Wikipedia article that cell tower locations have nothing to do with A-GPS.
Nokia wont have a database to start with.From what i believe …this is a user generated database. Every time a user uses gps ..his corresponding location cell-id’s will get stored in the database so that ppl in the same region will get faster lock in’s when they use gps next time.Sorta like a community built repository.
Is it true that new Nokia Maps app have ‘Start tracking’ feature disabled? That’d be pretty bad…
Thanks for all the comments, guys.
I’ve corrected the post to correctly describe what A-GPS does and doesn’t do. Thanks for correcting me. I was trying to get it up so fast, I relied on someone else’s definition without verifying the information. I won’t make the same mistake again.
@Candyman – no clue, pretty much all my calls are to or from a mobile. I’ll try to do some testing, though. I’ll check on the calendar, as well. I do all my calendaring through Outlook, only using my mobile for reference.
@Peter – I believe that bug has been fixed. I have an alarm that went off this morning (2 of them, actually) and my multimedia key still works. I’ll keep an eye on it, though, and update this if necessary.
@Viipottaja good point!
@Thomas – good question. There isn’t anything that I see showing data transferred. I don’t know if you saw the screenshots of the “new” maps app, but the version on here looks identical to the old one. The newer screenshots showed an improved GPS signal indicator, and a data traffic measure on the bottom left corner. My version doesn’t have these, though they were nice to have.
@Johann – this isn’t an N95 error, it’s an S60 “limitation”. Personally, it doesn’t bother me. I have my call logs set to purge information that is 10 days old. I don’t need it to keep track of the last 400 calls I’ve made, that just takes up space that I could use for something else. Also, you mention a “launcher hack”? I’m not familiar with what you’re wanting, but i think i’ve been seeing something similar, i’ll post on it as soon as i can.
Thus far, the only *real* improvement that I can see is the new A-GPS. So it’s up to you as to whether that’s worth it or not. I make it a practice to always update, as I know there’s little things here and there that we don’t notice are fixed. I’ll be playing more to try to discover other improvements/changes.
@Brucery – absolutely. I had the same experience in Chicago. This will improve things TREMENDOUSLY.
@Krisq – the earlier version that I tried that was leaked out on the net did NOT have the start tracking enabled. However, in the version with this firmware, when you get a lock, it automatically zooms in and tracks you.
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough. When you select your route from point A to B, is there tracking feature still in the menu? I’ve heard they’ve removed it to make people buy voice navigation.
The new Nokia Maps features like showing when data is being transfered are supposed to be introduced with the final version, which can currently be downloaded for some models as a so called “pre-launch version” but not for the N95 yet.
Do I understand You correctly then that the new firmware does NOT contain this final release of Nokia Maps but rather just a newer beta which still looks very much the same? That would be pretty bad timing on Nokias side.
For what country is the product code you used? 0536062?
anyone having FOTA settings of the new n73 firmware?? Put these settings into current n95 device manager settings..hope it may work!!
I just can’t wait for this new upgrade. If it doesn’t have the upgraded Nokia Maps it’d be great. Because “tracking” can be used instead of navigation, yes, BUT I do NOT mean to cheat Nokia. But they just leave me no choice as there is not even paid navigation for Bulgaria, where I live. So the only chance for me and many other people to use the Nokia Maps app is to go for the “tracking”.
The A-GPS is definitely welcomed, but really how much traffic does it make, won’t it be too expensive used longer time. So if you can, please give some data ( ?? kb/min moving for example ). And if it doesn’t use any traffic, then how does it work actually?
I’ve been using that same product code since the last update, but my NSU is still coming up dry. It had me update last night when I checked it also, but no luck.
Is there something you’re doing that I’m not?
I’ve been using that same product code since the last update, but my NSU is still coming up dry. It had me update last night when I checked it also, but no luck.
Is there something you’re doing that I’m not?
just a little explanation how A-GPS works:
Normally it takes minutes for the N95 to check which satellites are located in line of sight. What A-GPS does, it it creates a packet switched connection to the operator normally (but here to Nokia) transfers it’s cell ID to the operator. The operator has a GPS receiver somewhere on the roof mapping the locations of the satellites to the cell ID of their network. Next they send the right satellite positions to the cell phone so it can fix on the satellites immediately.
Now I know such a GPS receiver has a radius of about 1000km so Nokia need at least several of these stations within Europe.
Have they updated Flash Lite to v2.1 on the new firmware and does it crash a lot?
Hahahaha! Andreas, you’ve just made that up, haven’t you?
Am a bit tired of seeing posts such as this by ridwaan that I’ve quoted below that say the N95 GPS is no good, based on one experience.
All GPS systems have some limitations according to the environment they’re in, and N95 is no different. N95 also needs careful handling when using handheld as its v easy to block the GPS antenna with your fingers. If you hold the N95 from underneath and keep fingers well away from the keypad, this gives thes best results in my experience.
I’ve had my N95 since first UK release and the GPS has performed almost faultlessly.
“Posted by: ridwaan | June 21, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Thanks for the info, Ricky! I was just wandering around the streets of downtown Seattle getting completely annoyed because my N95′s GPS just wouldn’t lock in at all! I had four satellites, but never got locked in. Hopefully, Assisted GPS will help with this issue, because as far as yesterday went, the GPS was totally worthless. :(“
any body upgraded?how to upgrade??any idea?the above product code gives about v11, how to upgrade to v12.please tell?
See below an email received today from Nokia, wrt the updated Nokia Maps s/w for the N95, and the associated firmware upgrade.
Hi Geoff,
Thank you for your request and your interest in our Nokia MAPS product.
Currently we do not yet know when the version will finally be made available.
> Or will we have to wait for a firmware update before we can have the
> latest Nokia Maps for N95? If so when will that be available.
The firmware update will be available at the end of August, but it might
happen that the Nokia MAPS update for the N95 will be released beforehand. As already said, we do not have a release date for that version.
If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards
Nokia Maps new Version… look here ! A the end of the page… works fine !
http://www.planete-nokia.com/phpBB2/index.php?showtopic=42181&st=660
I tried to change ma product code of my N95 but I can’t have the new FW (v12).
“Nokia Maps new Version… look here ! A the end of the page… works fine !
http://www.planete-nokia.com/phpBB2/index.php?showtopic=42181&st=660
I tried to change ma product code of my N95 but I can’t have the new FW (v12).”
1. This is the version that Nokia withdrew. Use at your own risk. In my case it doesn’t actually update the Maps software anyway.
2. ??? What planet are you on, that you think that v12 firmware is available now? It’s not. This is very clear from even a cursory glance at this page.
Why are you so nasty ? Many people downlaod this version of Maps before Nokia withdrew it… and I can say it works very well. Many people use it… Personly, I use it every day and I don’t have any problem with it.
About v12 firmware… I’m from Geneva Planet ! And you will be very surprise very soon about this relase.
Please, be nice… it’s no good to be so nasty.
Some more things to check for:
WLAN bug – on 11.0.26 you need to turn powersaving (in advanced settings) off or the connection is dropped all the time – fixed or not?
Camera presets – on all but “Auto” the camera uses the HIGH sharpening setting instead of normal – still so?
Camera user preset – looses all settings when you shut down camera – remembered now?
cheers
Peter
Does it have the option to end the call when closing the slider?
How about music listening with a2dp? Less packetloss -> stuttering now? That’s really my only (though big) disappointment this far.
I completely hate the slow GPS in the N95. Besides that the phone is kinda as boxy and the short battery life and missing mail for xchange is an unacceptable downgrade. I switched back to my N73 ME. I really am hopping for some killer improvements to the software…
does anyone know where to find the methods screen showing on the screen shot above, does this allow to turn gps off, saving battery power ? as im using bluetooth gps at present.
The logs on this phone really annoy me
1 Dialed
2 Missed
3 Recieved
4 Comms Log
How comes i can delete a individual item from log 123 but not from log4.
Even if u delete a dialled call it still stays in the comms logs.
Does any1 know of a 3rd party app that can access the logs.
Please Helpppppppppppp
@ Virtual Magician :
Go to your TOOLS, SETTINGS, GENERAL, POSITIONING, POSITIONING MEHTODS.
I cant find russian version of this frimware for nokia n95
I’ve answered most of your questions in a new post, along with other observations. Thanks so much for your comments and questions, please continue the discussion there. Thanks.
http://symbianguru.typepad.com/welcome/2007/06/more-details-on.html