The Hidden Gem Behind The N810 WiMax?
We previously reported to you the announcement of the N810 WiMax Edition. This news brought nothing groundbreaking for the majority of the mobile community except a little more proof that WiMax might one day become ubiquitous. But wait, what is that last paragraph in the Press Release? Hm, let’s see:
Also being introduced with the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is the newest Internet Tablet operating system. This new upgraded OS2008 introduces useful new features to the platform, including an enhanced e-mail client, support for Chinese character rendering in the browser and RSS feeds and Seamless Software Update functionality to eliminate manual software updates, making periodic updates of the operating system quick and easy. While standard on the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition, current owners of Nokia N810 and N800 Internet Tablets with earlier operating systems will be able to upgrade their device to the revised operating system for free during the second quarter of 2008.
What do we have here? An OS2008 upgrade available for the WiMax tablet, as well as the original N810 and N800 too. But there’s more to it, see that “Seemless Software Update”? Is this an over-the-air (or OTA) software update? Is Nokia finally getting into OTA? Are they finally letting us update our devices without the need of a connectivity cable, a computer, and a huge application installed on it?
Well, I don’t know about you, but OTA is the first thing that came to my mind when I read “Seemless Software Update”. And if this turns out to be true, we sure hope that the technology makes its move to other Nseries devices, including S60 3rd Edition. Along with data preservation, OTA is our major take on the current state of firmware updates from the Finnish giant. Well, there’s also the incredibly delayed releases for some new devices (read: N95-3) and the forgotten and non-updated multitude of other devices (read: many Eseries).
What do you think is behind this “Seemless Software Update”? Is it OTA like I read it, or something else? Do you think users will have the possibility to refuse the updates or does the “eliminate manual software updates” clause mean that they will be done without the user even knowing about it? Your thoughts are welcome!
It probably just means “the user doesn’t lose everything and have to reinstall all apps and reload user data from a backup.” The maemo device upgrades are really nasty, completely nuking all of your apps and any data on the primary partition – it’s even worse than S60 updates, which at least preserve apps/themes automatically.
I think Nokia should make their firmware updates like Apple for iPhone and Touch, because with good software design there is lot more to be got out of the hardware. This especially pisses me since I know that my good olde 6680 has basically the same hardware as N70 which trough newer S60 Feature Pack supports more 3rd party apps for example.. So, bugs fixes and such for free (preferably OTA) and bigger OS updates for a small price.
Gore,
In both cases, be it OTA or improved software update, I think it’s a move in the right direction.
I’m trying to snag one (N810) for myself and its kinda impossible to find a local store that carries it here in CA. Would it be a waste to get the first version of N810 or should I just go ahead and wait for the WiMax version? I’m still doing my homework on tablets so I’m not really familiar with the difference.
Dee, I don’t know a lot about CA, but I think there is a Nokia flagship store somewhere there and you should be able to find an N810 there. As for the WiMax/notWimax thing, I think the best thing is to look and see if Sprint plans to deploy WiMax in your region, if they do, then my advice is to go for the WiMax one, as this should allow a 24/7 connectivity.
@Dotsisx, sadly California doesn’t have a Nokia flagship store. We did at one point have Nokia Experience Centers but turned out to be just a tease as you can only play with the handsets but not able to purchase through them. They’ve closed down those booths.
I’ll have to read up more on WiMax. Bu I’m really tempted to order one from the NokiaUsa site even though its $479 which was $430 something just last week.
Isn’t there a difference between OTA and over the internet? I.e. N810 would probably have to be connected to the internet through WiFI for such updates, whereas over the air over cell providers data network is probably quite something different technology wise.
Viipottaja, I think by OTA Nokia means over the internet, which is the air after all, or the cloud, or whatever people are calling it now. This software update requires an internet connection, so it’s not just over cell providers.
I do have one question, and it actually is not about the OS2008 upgrade… It’s just the little thing I see every day and then: People always talk about the N-Series. That’s a good thing and it has a right point, N-series kinda rule the scene.
But is it because they are the best phones ever, or is it because Nokia has just forgotten their _other_ phones in their lust for more sales?
I’m not very comfortable with the fact that the word Nokia (or even Symbian) brings an N-series phone (actually an N95 or N95 8GB) in mind.
And, while Nokia might be blown up on their dreams of market, bloggers and news-sites should ask “Where the hell did your other phone sets disappear?”
[...] about an interesting detail mentioned yesterday in the press release: Just like DotSisx I’m wondering about the “Seamless Software Update functionality”, which to me could be [...]