Video: Nokia N97 v12 Firmware Update Overview

August 17th, 2009 • Mark Guim • 33 comments

The Nokia N97 v12 firmware update became available on Tuesday so I made a video to show you how the phone now performs. I did not notice any new features, but it seems the Nokia N97 runs faster and is more stable. I show the web browser, Nokia Messaging, Facebook, and the photo gallery. Take a look.

You can also watch this video in HD on YouTube.

One thing I realize is that even if the phone performs well, applications can mess up the overall experience. For example, this video shows you that viewing web pages is very good, but scrolling through emails on Nokia Messaging is frustratingly slow. It also shows you the annoying and unnecessary pop-up connection warnings when opening widget apps like Facebook.

Raghu

In an earlier post you had mentioned small problems that you faced with the software like with the gallery app. Have any of these been fixed?
http://twitter.com/SoerenS Søren Sprogø

Can anyone explain how these updates are rolled out? Or point me to a guide?

My N97 is still on v10, which has that annoying keyboard lock bug. And my network operator isn't able to help, they have no idea how these updates work.
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http://twitter.com/NZeeter Euan Andrews

Mark

I notice you state you get the annoying connection messages when using the Facebook app…I never get these connection messages myself…

I wonder if you get those connection messages because of your Home Screen connection settings?

The Facebook app, has no editable connection settings, so it uses the default Home Screen connection…

When first setting up the N97, (no wifi setup or connected yet) having just booted up the device and once the Home Screen has loaded, a popup will display saying an internet connection is required (for the Home Screen)…

It will ask what you would like to set as your 'default connection' and it also asks if you would like it to 'connect automatically'…

If you choose your mobile operator as the default connection and select yes to connect automatically, then I believe it makes these connections automatically and you will not see such connection request popups in Facebook.

Thats my guess…hope that helps
manuel15

iPhone is spectacular compared to the n97, has a slow and somewhat flashy, nokia need to renew your software! their software simply can not match! or handling or appearance.
http://www.cellphones-reviews.com/ Nokia N97

The N97 is a good phone, with lots of good features, but the resistive touchscreen, lacklustre Ovi app store and ageing browser are disappointing.
http://thenokiablog.com Mark Guim

Sometimes the gallery still does not render zoomed photos properly =( The other bug with the grey bars have been gone since v11 firmware.
http://thenokiablog.com Mark Guim

Thanks. I don't have Facebook set up as a home screen widget. I'm sure that is why it keeps asking me every time I open it.
Max

I need that Theme!

Greetings
http://thenokiablog.com Mark Guim

That is the original theme. I just changed the wallpaper. I got it from interfacelift.com
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=196603852 facebook-196603852

I noticed when you open Handy Taskman that you have 1 thing running. When I boot up, I have 11 things running. Is that because of the widgets, or do you have a trick that I don't.

I am on version 12 as well.
Raghu

I did a hard reset & then tried restoring my backup but the restoration didnt complete &

used to get stuck multiple times at different places.

I cancelled the restoration & then did a fresh install & now i have more free phone memory &

also more free ram. now when installing ngage client there is no update for phone memory.

Generally the phone is faster but small niggles r still there…. seems this update is just

to try & stabilize the phone till a proper & better update can be released… maybe v15 or

v20… just hope it comes soon
http://twitter.com/NZeeter Euan Andrews

Ah yes, I just tried that…

I have Facebook as a Home Screen widget…seems to then connect automatcially, but as you point out, not having it as a Home Screen widget and just runnnig as a general app, it then asks for that connection everytime….bugga.

Arh well…ignore me, as you were.
http://twitter.com/NZeeter Euan Andrews

Why has Mark not answered this?

You can update via either 2 methods…
1) Dial *#0000#
That will bring up the 'Device Updates' screen…
Then select 'Options', then 'Check for updates'

That will update your N97 over the air via your network operator…but this may not work as is dependant on your operator and location.

2) Connect to your computer via the supplied USB and open Ovi Suite…
In the Ovi Suite, up the top select 'Tools', then 'Nokia Software Updater' or commonly known as 'NSU'
Follow the steps from there and it will update your device.

Good luck.
Raghu

also i just noticed tht even after disconnecting the usb cable from the phone the battery shows the charging animation for 5 secs before saying unplug the charger & the animation stops.
Raghu

i also have 60MB phone memory free after installing just essential & basic apps….
ChrisM23

MULTITASKING. /win.

“Oh but the iphone has push” Lol come on that's just a gimmick not usefull at all.

I do wish it had more ram tho..

Now i'll give you the iphone has a way prettier gui with fancy apps and games that get boring after a week or so and it's snappier. But. If you want the iphone to be half as useful in the real world as the nokia you need to jailbreak to get a halfbaked tethering option, a sucky bluetooth file trasnfering software and some other things that should've come standard anyway.

You cant even put a standard wallpaper without using winterboard and trust me lol Jailbreak + winterboard = a slower phone than the n97 not to mention the crappy battery life. Hell, when i had my 3g jailbroken and with winterboard, the battery would die before 6pm with only a few minutes of music and a couple of calls. WIth the nokia i listen to music for like 2 hours a day, heavy internet usage and a few calls and at the end of the day i still have half the charge left. Amazing.

I liked the 3g and all but after a couple of weeks of using the n97 I realized the iphone is a triumph of looks over substance. Give it a couple of patches and the n97 will be a way better experience than it already is.
http://www.afdeling18.dk/ Soeren Sprogoe

Hi Euan,

thanks a lot for your reply!

However no updates are currently available. It may have something to do with the fact that it is running another language version (Danish, 33), or the type installed (RM-505).

What I really need is some kind of guide on how all these different types work, and who decides when the software is rolled out. So I may be able to put some preassure on my operator to get things updated soon.
N97

For the photo problem you had, you need to have the keyboard opened and then the pictures are clear when you zoom in.
http://www.youtube.com/dognomite dmitebeats

This is a D-Mite Commercial lol… I made this track just for da Love of My Phone… Can't complain…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev3cQ59Ud68
Jeff

Nice mate, i also upgraded.. but i also see 3.5G, same here, but with that browsing, i dont know, maybe WIFI is slower? because i open pages blazing fast, and ofcourse i have Google as homepage and thats not many kb's… but still.. might just be me too but yeah…

In the next firmware i really hope they fix the C: and Mass Memory thing because i think thats a pain in the ass, i MMS and get Video messages often and now its full in notime…

Regards
tankslappa

I'm still waiting for V12 to come across onto my product code generic UK model.

Tum tee tum… Oh well, looking on the bright side, at least I'm not a carphone warehouse N97 owner… They're still waiting for V11!

Re running out of memory with MMS, just change the message storing to use mass storage. In fact I use mass for everything. Apps I install, pictures I take, music I listen to. Basically anything that give me the option to go into mass storage goes into mass storage!
furcoo

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tuansanh

hey Mark, after i updated to firmware V12, i have found out that there is a bluetooth issue, my N97 does not detect other devices, it keeps on searching then “no device found” even the other phone's bluetooth is on. However, other phones could detect my phone. This is frustrating.
R J

Guys India finally has the update
http://www.afdeling18.dk/ Søren Sprogø

v12 is finally out here in Denmark (TDC)!

Finally I'm rid of that annoying keypad lock bug…
http://www.afdeling18.dk/ Søren Sprogø

v12 is finally out here in Denmark (TDC)!

Finally I'm rid of that annoying keypad lock bug…
http://www.afdeling18.dk/ Søren Sprogø

v12 is finally out here in Denmark (TDC)!

Finally I'm rid of that annoying keypad lock bug…
http://www.airmaxshoes.uk.com air max shoes

thank you for your post
Munchschloss

I would like to get a danish software for my Nokia 2220 Is it possible?
Munchschloss

I would like to get a danish software for my Nokia 2220 Is it possible?

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