My aunt who is using the Nokia N96 had some difficulty updating firmware as she does not have a computer.

When she told me about it I told her that she can actually update it’s firmware over the air.

Now for those who are still updating firmware via the Nokia Software Updater, probably you can try this.

Go to menu, click on ‘Tools’.

Go to ‘Utilities’.

Then click on ‘Device Manager’.

In there, you will see the current firmware version and some extra information.

Then go to options, and click on ‘Check For Updates’.

If there is a newer firmware version for your phone model, you will be prompted to download and install it. Do so, and the phone will install and restart by itself… then you’re done!

Be sure to backup your important data first… although you may not need to so if you are using N96 cos updating firmware does not erase contents anymore.

(This OTA firmware update thing works on most new Nseries too. So give it a try if you own one.

Hi, some of you N79 owners may already know this if you spent time exploring the camera menus, but if you haven’t, then hope this will help.

Tip 1: How to customize your toolbar

If you go to Options in image mode, you’ll see an option to customize the toolbar shorcuts that appear in the right column in camera mode.

As you can see, you can select and change any of the six shortcuts available. So if there’s a feature you want to access more quickly, you can elevate it to the shortcut level.

Tip 2: Burst mode

If you select sequence mode from the shortcuts list, you will see a range of options other than the standard single shot mode. As you can see in the screenshot above, burst mode lets you capture six quick images in succession, which is great for fast-moving action or other such scenarios. You can also hold the key down and continue to capture images in burst mode until the memory runs out.

Tip 3: Scene modes

If you are taking everyday photos, the standard auto mode setting is a good option. However, if you are taking a certain type of photo, scene modes give you more specified options. Select the “A” icon from the shortcuts and you’ll see the options above, from close-up to portrait to night mode.

Tip 4: Video light

Your N79 has the capability to shoot in low- and no-light situations, which means you can shoot video at night, in a dimly-lit club and wherever else you might want to shed some light on things. The default setting is off, so all you need to do is select the icon highlighted above to switch the video light on.

(Tip 2, 3 and 4 works for N85 and N96 too)

Do you have some other tips and tricks for the Nseries camera?

Source

Yes!!! been expecting this v12.043 to come out since last month!

As you can see, I am updating the firmware via Over The Air (OTA) which means you can download the update wirelessly on 3G or GPRS connection.

To update via OTA, go to menu > tools > utilities > dev. manager and select “check for updates”

Alternatively, you can still update the firmware via the Nokia Software Updater(NSU) on your pc. Here’s a step by step guide.

Changelog for this update(thanks to MR G):

NEW FEATURES IN THIS RELEASE

Switch 4.0 – improved switch application to transfer user data from/to other devices

IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS RELEASE / GENERAL AREAS
- Still image quality is improved, with fixes for color haziness and motion blur that appeared under certain conditions
- Many fixes for conditions that can lead to application crashes or instabilities
- Improved overall Bluetooth interoperability Improved overall Bluetooth interoperability
- Now compatible with Nokia Email service (application available as separate download)
- If user sets brightness to maximum value the display backlight now does turn back on after screensaver mode
- The device autolock no longer locks the device while viewing or recording videos
- SMS no longer gets auto-converted to an MMS message if there are more then 20 recipients
- Music Player “Refresh Library” no longer hangs if General Settings Date separator is set to “:”
- Now only one message alert tone is played per synchronization with Mail for Exchange, instead of one per message
- Fix for issue with alarm snoozing when alarm was set and device was powered off
- Theme no longer jumps back to default theme after using USB mass storage mode
- CSHelp texts are now updated to resolves several identified issues

KNOWN ISSUES IN THIS RELEASE
- During boot, we recommend to wait for battery bar to show up prior to using media keys to ensure they are responsive.
- Ngage pre-selects wrong access point in certain operator networks, in these instances user needs to reconfigure Ngage access points manually from within Ngage settings menu

Yes… few more days and it will be my 1 month anniversary with the Nokia flagship device, N96.

I guess it’s time I write about the 3 things I love and hate about it.

Let’s start with the things I like on the N96.

- The big screen… I think all phones should have screen as big as this(touchscreens not included).. 2.8″ is what I think should be the standard for all mobile phone screens from now on.. and it better be… or else many of us will have to squint our eyes in order to read SMS or to surf the web.

- The SUPER LOUDSPEAKER… I have never thought a phone can be as loud as this. Once I showed my friend a video on the N96 and he had to give it back to me after like 10 seconds cos he couldn’t stand the ear piercing loudness on the N96 at 100% volume… hahah but it was good though… cos he commented that the sound was damn loud but it doesn’t break… and the bass was good too.

- The new vertical bar shortcuts on main screen… Yes it has been around since the N78 but not my N82. ahha so yea its new to me. With the shortcuts aligned to the side of the screen, I can now put up my nice wallpaper while having the shortcuts on. Very handy. It links to more apps and options in the phone too. Imagine accessing some settings in the “tools > settings > phone > general” with just 2 clicks.

I hate:

- The build quality of the N96… I admit it is now a lot more solid looking then my old N95 but seriously.. it makes no difference. The top part of the phone (the part with the screen) moves about 1mm up and down when its not slided out.  Very disturbing. Other than that, the backplate/cover of the phone is very flimsy and thin that it feels very plasticky

- Super slow… I have upgraded the firmware twice within 1 month of usage. Nokia knew how slow it was thats why they rolled out 2 updates to fix it… but somehow opening new SMS, replying SMS and switching from a running app to the main menu takes about 10 seconds respectively. Sometimes it only takes about 5 seconds which makes me go “WOW, why suddenly so fast?”. haha

- The camera… Somehow I feel that my old N95 took better pictures. At times, when you take photos at dark places, the photo will turn to black and white.. literally… yea I don’t know why this happens but every time I point my phone to a dark place the photo will lose its colour.. and I had to change the white balance in order to bring out the colours again. .. but anyway, the N96 can really take good photos provided if the lighting and ambience is good especially close up shots.  I can say that it surpasses my old N95 and N82.

Wow Nokia must have been trying hard to make the N96 bugless eh? Cos there is yet another firmware upgrade(v11.101) for the flagship model after the last update 3 weeks ago.

Seems like there isn’t any big fixes in this version… just some ‘networking’ related bugs fixed. So you can choose to skip this if you think the current firmware serves you well enough.

Source

I was not aware of this but now I am. The N96, like the N78… is powered by Symbian OS 9.3, Nokia S60 3rd edition, feature pack 2.

This also means there are A LOT of apps out there which were compatible with the N95 and N82, cannot work on the N96 & N78 now.

… but somehow I have managed to try out a few that works.

- fring

fring is a free mobile VoIP app for you to chat and talk to your friends via the popular messengers like MSN, Skype, Gtalk and Yahoo. fring enables free calls via Wifi, 3G, EDGE or GPRS.

Get fring

- iSync

This one basically works for all Nseries. It helps to synchronise your data eg: calendar, photos, videos from your phone to your Mac.

Get iSync

- Calcium

This is also for most Symbian phones. Calcium is a new calculator app that eases everybody’s life. Haha.. as we all know, the Symbian version that comes with our Nseries is a bit… er… troublesome to use. So try this one and you will get your math solved in no time.

Get Calcium

- Mini Friday

I just installed this yesterday. Seems to be quite fun. It’s actually simple mobile virtual world with many types of spaces like bars, clubs. Customise your own 3D character and chat with everyone now! Watch out, this app does not support Wifi.. so make sure you are on a data plan in order to use this on 3G or Gprs.

Get MiniFriday

Woot! I’ve got my N96 today, courtesy of Nokia.

Been waiting for it to be mine for so long since February and finally got it.

It’s still charging so I havent got to play with it yet… but you can read the N96 reviews I did before this.

For now, let’s watch the unboxing video I did just now.

The Nokia N96 was just released a while ago and there’s already a firmware upgrade!

The new V11.018 seems to be able to fix a lot of the known bugs.

Changelog from Symbian-freak

Fixed issues in this SW releases

* DM settings aren’t generated automatically, when Email settings are defined in variant
* Audio: Phone resets when plugging-unplugging headset for several times during music playback
* Video call: White or black screen flashes when power saver time-out expires during an active video call
* 3D Ringing tone is too low, almost nothing cannot be heard during MT voice call
* Illumination with Voice call: During an active voice call, power saver displays when power saver time-out expires and then phone goes to sleep mode while the call is still ongoing
* Image Quality improvements

System stability and performance improvements

* Device slows down when large numbers of pictures are transferred to the device
* Slow to open the Reply screen for an SMS
* ViewServ12 crashes under high CPU load
* Phone jams or resets when taking photo during low power audio playback
* Phone freezes after a new SMS is received during Visual Radio playback
* Other error fixes related to general system stability improvements

BONUS

Known issue in this release:

1.1.1 Real Player and Streaming

* H264 playback crashes when start to play H.264 live streaming link
* treaming of live content may cause phone to freeze
* RTSP link truncation problem. Cut off URL parameter in RTSP streaming link

1.1.2 Video Call

* Phone freezes when selecting “Mute” and “Unmute” several times during video call
* Video call: video rendering quality is somewhat pixilated

1.1.3 DVB-H

* Subscription with error message “Temporary failure. Try to purchase again. -15″
* OTC - N96 SW 10.007 DVBH: Auto reload - successfully get subscription. But cannot watch. Lock key icon is still shown.
* OTC - First time subscription must be seamless to the end user by pressing just one key.

I think this is the best Nseries photo I have ever taken. hhahah

Anyways, seems like we are very much informed about the new Nseries models inside out by now. Which one suits you best? This is my thought on which models suits who.

Nokia N96: For people who loves everything big. Big screen, big memory and big size. Haha… well i think it attracts the male users more. I wont say it’s for video lovers cos apparently all Nseries are capable of playing videos. I’d suggest you get the N96 if you are a guy, loves everything big and fancies edgy designs.

Nokia N85: For those who loves design, likes everything that looks artsy and at the same time loves the latest smartphone features, The N85 is more appealing to females cos of the smaller size and the curvy edges. Buy it if you are:
- a male who loves sleek and slim smartphones…
- a female who loves sleek and slim smartphones… haha

Nokia N79: I think it’s made for people who loves quick meals, quick dates and everything else which is fast. A youngster would actually buy it cos of the Xpress-on covers. Hm… well, it’s basically made for everyone. It’s a general phone that has the same great features as the 2 mentioned above. Buy it if you don’t want to spend too much on smartphones… or you love simplicity and flexibility.

Somehow I sound like a fortune teller…

Oh well.. let’s view a video of N96 playing video. lol.

The N96 plays video very well. Now that Nokia introduced the kickstand… I felt weird viewing video on the other Nseries models because I cannot watch the videos on the table.. I had to hold it.. cos no kickstand! hahah I think it really makes a big difference.

This is a video showing how the XpressOn covers affect the theme change on the N79.

The Nokia N96 is finally out in the market here in Malaysia.

Was reading the papers and saw the ad. RRP is RM3338.

Anyone buying?

Hi boys and girls, today we are going to learn about thickness.

See this image below.

Do you know which one is the thickest?

OK some of you guys might want to know how is the experience like watching videos on the N85…. before I give my opinion, let’s watch a very educational clip of a video being played on the N85.

Watching video on the N85 is great, with the AM OLED screen and the stereo speakers, I can really imagine me watching videos on the device in the future (if i happen to own one).

The speakers are very loud but the sound never breaks.. which is good. The screen response rate is very fast, resulting in very clear videos. Probably cos the video I played was encoded well… but nonetheless, its a great device to play videos…. hmm now where’s the kickstand when I need it the most.

So how much similar is the outlook between the N96 and the N85?

Some very notable difference: The separator on the N85 keypads bulges out while the N96 keypad is flat. I actually prefer the one on the N85 cos I can at least feel the keypad and it allows me to send SMS while I’m driving. haha.

Other than that, the navi wheel looks exactly the same, so as the positions of the buttons… but of course the screen on the N85 is smaller.

What about the N79 and N78?

To me, the N79 actually looks more like the N82. The N79 is white, multimedia key is located on the left, navi wheel is totally different from any Nseries and the 2 softkeys + red and green buttons are actually quite ugly.

Anyways, this is a video the gallery on the N85 being scrolled through using the navi-wheel.

I got to re-experience the new Nesries models yesterday along with some of their siblings. I had the N78, N79, N82, N85 and the N96 all on the table.

As you can see in the photo, N79 and N78 has almost the similar length(or height, for some people) and the N85 to the N96.

I was focusing more on the N85 yesterday. I realised in this prototype model, the key presses sometimes does not trigger the actions and I had to press a few times.

The screen, well once again i’d like to say.. that its the best screen i’ve ever seen on a Nokia. The colour is super vibrant, very realistic and very clear. I had to set the N96 screen to the brightest in order to catch up with the N85’s screen which was just set to medium brightness.

Here you can see the 3 candybar Nseries. Can you see how must smaller and thinner the N79 is compared to the N82? All these 2 models have the same 2.4″ screen.

Here’s a video to show you the clarity, brightness and the colour on the N85 screen.

I was actually schocked to see the menu icon animation… never expected Nokia could do this. haha.

Try to hear the sound effect when the slider is pushed up. Another surprise for me cos previously I didnt hear it when I played with it at the N96 launch.

Next up. More videos!

So how better is the AM OLED screen on the N85 compared to the LCD screen on the N96 in terms of viewing images?

Dailymobile has posted a comparison on this and here are some photos taken from there.

This is N95 8gb vs. N85 screen

As you can see here, the image on N85(right) is higher in contrast and more saturated.

Here comes some comparison between N85(bottom) and N96(top)

Its very obvious that the N85 screen produces more natural image preview with more yellow tint.

The flower on N85 is more vibrant and has more red in it.

More red! Nice.

… now lets see a photo of the sea and blue sky.

I prefer the image on N96 screen as the blue is more saturated… and of course i love the bigger screen. ahah

So which would you pick? A bigger screen? or a clearer screen?

View more at Daily Mobile

I have been thinking for 2 days… even talked to a few friends about the latest Nokia offerings.

Most of the people I asked seems to like the N85 more than the supposedly Nokia’s flagship model this year, the N96. As far as I understand, N8X series is supposed to be a level lower than the N9X series as they are less featureful, or sometimes not as attractive.

This time around, Nokia gave me an impression that N85 is more superior against the N96. The AMOLED screen is one of the things I m looking forward to when it comes to N85 and not forgetting the navi-wheel(which is not available in N96… quite a dissapointment)… oh and the menu and screen rotation animations!

N85 is also the first Nseries that comes with a microUSB charging.. means you can charge your N85 via USB now. (and that, again, is not available for the N96)

Speaking of battery life, the N96.. which has a bigger screen(LCD) which consumes more power + DVBH technology, should be equipped with a more powerful battery but no. Nokia gave the higher capacity battery (1200mAh) to N85, which does not consumes as much power thanks to the AMOLED screen.

Yes, the N85 might only have 74mb internal memory, compared to 16gb in the N96 but one can always compensate that by plugging in higher storage memory cards.. so no deal with that.

If only the N96 came out earlier this year, say.. April… that would be perfect.

Anyhow, I think I will be getting the N96… since I have been waiting for that since I played with it in Sydney in February.

Do you think N96 came too late?

Next post! Nokia N96 coverage photos + Videos!

Just came back from the Nokia N96 launch event. Nokia also announced 2 new Nseries models tonight. The N85 and N79.

Finally the long awaited Nokia N96 is launched… but it will only be available in the market from the 2nd week of September.

Nokia N85 was annouced and it will be available in Q4 this year.

The N85 is considered a lighter version of N96 as it also has 5mpx camera, 3.5G, DVD like video recording, Wifi, GPS, Ngage support and more.

The one thing that attracts me is the new AMOLED 2.6inch QVGA display. It’s also the first Nokia device to use such clear, bright and low battery consumption screen.

OK now lets move on to N79.

It’s very similar to the N82. Similar specs, 5mpx camera, 2.4in QVGA display, Wifi, 3G and etc. I think the one thing that is nice on this phone is the xpress on colour covers that comes with the phones. Everytime you put on a new back cover, it will actually trigger the correspondent theme that matches the colour of the cover.

Both N85 and N79 comes with 1200mAh battery.. which is a big improvement from what we are currently using in the Nseries phones (900/950mAh)

That’s the content of the black parcel that I got from Nokia last week. It’s the invite to the N96 launch dinner tonight! I heard someone will get the chance to walk away with an N96 too.

What if your TV falls off the wall…

What if your friend spills drinks on your laptop when you’re watching Youtube…

What if your girlfriend throws away your CDS…

What if the tickets for the movie u wanna watch are sold out…

What if you DONT need all those mentioned…

Nokia N96. Now everything joins up.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, this is the sign!

The sign that Nokia is gonna launched its N96 soon!!! lol

Cos they came out with this Limited Edition N96 website recently and you can get the N96 from joining the contest, or just donating to WWF .

Check out FaceTheTask.com

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

According to iGadget Life, the great Nokia N96 will start shipping on 31st July 2008.

Seems like the recommended retail price is around 800USD, so start saving people!

Anyone waiting for this N96?