Nokia N900 Firmware Update PR1.1 Sent to Select Few – Still No Portrait Browser

December 25th, 2009 • Mark Guim • Filed Under •

We’re not sure when the next Nokia N900 firmware update will come out, but a few selected contributors received emails to join the testing. According to the Maemo community mailing list, Nokia is calling the maintenance update Fremantle PR1.1. While testers didn’t sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), they are encouraged not to share details about the unreleased firmware to the public.

Nokia N900

The selected testers were given the firmware update for the sole purpose of bug reporting. If you didn’t know, you can also file bug reports about your Nokia N900 at bugs.maemo.org. I’m not testing PR1.1, but I’ve filed a few bug reports to make sure Nokia knows about the problems I’ve encountered. I’m also glad that one of the major bugs I noticed on the Nokia N900 will be fixed on a future firmware update.

According to a source testing PR1.1, the Nokia N900 feels snappier. However, some may be disappointed that web browsing in portrait view was not available on the update. That’s not really a major problem for me since I prefer to browse the web with landscape view. Let us know if this is something you really want on the Nokia N900.

No information about release date was available. “It will go out when it’s ready,” says Quim Gil from Maemo Devices.

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  1. Craig Carroll on 25 December 2009:

    i just hope the reboot count and reboot issue when it tries to deep sleep are fixed

  2. dennys padilla on 25 December 2009:

    i jujst receive mine 2 days ago….looks thicker but i think this kind smatrphone are like that…..still findind the feautures i feel strange coming from symbian to maemo

  3. AC on 25 December 2009:

    Landscape browsing doesn't bother me at all. And quite frankly… having landscape only everywhere else is ok with me too. Portrait mode is overblown in my opinion.

  4. Orrins on 25 December 2009:

    Portrait mode web browsing is not necessary. I prefer landscape web browsing. It is much better than the portrait mode.

  5. Pdexter on 25 December 2009:

    If i wanted something to work in portrait with phone functions it would be default media player.
    No reboots or crashes, device has been rock solid for this 3 weeks, but there are many small bugs so i'm taking this update with open arms and hopefully it fixes big part of them with more optimization.

  6. HD 720p on 26 December 2009:

    thanks for the great content posted here will always be visiting your blog

  7. Johannes on 26 December 2009:

    I can live without portrait web browsing, however, portrait pretty much every where else is a must.
    I need to be able to type text messages with one hand on a virtual keyboard, I also want portrait mode while in the menu and in the media player.
    Without these basic functions the phone is gimped, all other phones in the entire world, have portrait text messaging.

  8. Mathias on 26 December 2009:

    Mark: PR1.1 is almost entirely focused on bug fixing. Expect few new features for PR1.2.

  9. lifebloger on 26 December 2009:

    If the only improvment of this update is that the Nokia N900 feels snappier, this update is not necessary !
    Because the N900 is still snap !
    I hope this update will bring more important things !!!

  10. Michael on 26 December 2009:

    Humm strange, but seems that portrait browser is coming, check this bug report: https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=7285

  11. Viipottaja on 26 December 2009:

    You know that for a fact or just speculating?

  12. lau888 on 26 December 2009:

    A battery meter show the percentage will be useful. A smoother transition either closing,opening or multitask for the next update will certainly make this n900 even better. The earpiece volume is bit mute even set to high it feel like there is a barrier blocking.

  13. geraldu on 26 December 2009:

    What I really NEED bitterly is desktop widget for quickly monitoring incoming emails. There is Exchange push email, but no way to have a quick glance of the incoming emails (except a very brief pop up).

  14. RogerTHAcctant on 27 December 2009:

    I'd be fine without portrait mode. Admittedly, It'd be nice to have but i like how the landscape screen resolution of the N900 of 800 pixils across matches the 1200×800 of a normal computer screen resolution. As long as its snappier and fixed some bugs i'd be happy.

    I'm also hopeing for them to prepare the qt evironment for the developer so we can get some kick ass apps

  15. wibleh on 27 December 2009:

    For me I hope that the update resolves the *ridiculous* issue of not being able to set up and sync MfE with an Exchange 2003 server…what a silly oversight by Nokia!

  16. hrobin on 27 December 2009:

    Please let Quim Gil know that one of the most important tool on this phone is to be able to use “bluetooth pairing”. There are some states that requires the use of handsfree/bluetooth headset while driving. This phone will not recognize any bluetooth pairing. I would like to see Maemo team fix this as a priority.

  17. Mathias on 27 December 2009:

    Strange. Works smoothly with my 07er Mondeo.
    Please file a bug at bugs.maemo.org if you have problems.

  18. Mathias on 28 December 2009:

    Not an oversight. Simply lack of time: Exchange support was added to the agenda quite late. The developers of Exchange support were aware of missing 2003 support, but had __really good reasons__ to skip that feature for the moment.

  19. wibleh on 28 December 2009:

    Ouch, it still hurts though having 'compromised' by using IMAP (buggy with the N900 for my account) and PC Suite for contacts/calendar (which appears to be 1-way). With PR1.1 being mostly bug fixes, do you think MfE will be fixed in this release or left until PR1.2+?

  20. Matt Jones on 28 December 2009:

    I need this update so that my 3 sim will work. Fixing bugs is *always* good.

  21. chrisphillers on 28 December 2009:

    Portrait mode is very important indeed for the browser, as is portait for sms. Using the internet on the move isnt very practical in landscape..

  22. Keke on 29 December 2009:

    Works well with Audi A6 as well

  23. Mathias on 29 December 2009:

    don't know the exact state of mfe. well, but i wouldn't be allowed to tell anyway. :-(

  24. Bigboss on 29 December 2009:

    Hell yeah it would be nice to see a Portrait view!!! The hardware is cabable and it can compete with it competitors! I would also like to see a easy file attachment option or component like the 2.0 frimware version of the N97. You know…, transfer pic's, video etc,etc. Also holding a button down to gain access to shift keys or alternative keys like the 2.0 frimware of the N97 would be nice as well!

  25. jacktanner on 30 December 2009:

    Exchange 2003 is supposed to be fixed in PR 1.1. See https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5597 (h.t. Andre Klapper)

  26. wibleh on 30 December 2009:

    Ah, i see the resolution status is fixed, fantastic news! Unfortunately the lack of 2003 MfE support at launch prompted me to source a 2007 account (http://www.simplyms.com) for my email, but this is great news for those who can't/won't change email provider :)

  27. wibleh on 30 December 2009:

    Oooh, NDA or the “please don't tell anyone” request by Nokia? ;)

  28. wibleh on 30 December 2009:

    Oooh, NDA or the “please don't tell anyone” request by Nokia? ;)

  29. dudz83 on 30 December 2009:

    one things has disappointed me is the earpiece volume and also the ringing and playback/loudspeaker volume. the alarm is unable to wake me up! unlike my previous n95. reckon the hardware is inferiro? other than that… best phone ive ever gotten

  30. thedoctor on 30 December 2009:

    works great with my bluetooth motorola headset.

  31. hrobin on 30 December 2009:

    which motorola headset do you have?

  32. arempee on 31 December 2009:

    i want this on the new UPDATE: MMS, YAHOO IM, better FACEBOOK app, GOOGLE VOICE…

  33. J MAn on 2 January 2010:

    PLEASE BRING MMS!!

  34. Mathias on 2 January 2010:

    You might call me Stockholm hostage – rightfully, but why would you waste money on MMS if you get E-Mail, Flickr, Pixelpipe and Facebook upload for free?

  35. sam on 3 January 2010:

    MMS

  36. Evert on 8 January 2010:

    Hmm, do I dare to ask why Exchange support wasn't on the agenda from the beginning? Perhaps Nokia thought that all the Linux geeks who buy this phone don't use Exchange? ;-)

  37. Mathias on 8 January 2010:

    For quite a time there was the mantra “The N900 is NOT a business phone”: Traditionally N-Series targets so called “technology leaders” whereas E-Series is for business users.

    Well, but seems Nokia failed in making the N900 entirely useless for business users. :-D

  38. Evert on 8 January 2010:

    Hmm, Exchange worked just fine on my previous phone, a Nokia N95 8GB 8-)

  39. Mathias on 8 January 2010:

    Evert: So it seems that another teams also ignore this artificial separation between product lines… ;-)

  40. Trizt on 11 January 2010:

    I need the update since 31/12, as bug 5315 is preventing me from using my phone/subscription. There should be a more frequent update for people, so those who needs a specific update can get access to it as soon as it's fixed, but no you have to live with bugs for ever.

  41. Evert on 11 January 2010:

    I remember reading in MANY places that a firmware update was promised to hit the streets (so not just go to a select few with a NDA attached) before Xmas. I guess they meant Xmas 2010… :-/

  42. Evert on 11 January 2010:

    Speak of the Devil… There appears to be an update available for my phone! :-)
    I have 1.2009.42-11 and now I get offered 1.2009.44-1 :-)

  43. Truf on 16 January 2010:

    The most disappointing for me – they doesnt include USSD fix in that firmware. :(

  44. Mathias on 16 January 2010:

    Truf, to make them work now try this workaround:
    http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=454839&pos...

    Seems the firmware itself will be fixed with the PR1.2 update:
    https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5380
    https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5357

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