Nokia recently released a firmware update (30.0.004) for its long forgotten N series phone - N97 mini.
- Phone: Nokia N97 Mini
- Model: RM-555
- Firmware Version: 30.0.004
- Version Date: 16-JUN-2011
- Custom Version: 30.0.004?.C01.01
Please use this forum to post any issues you are facing or to provide feedback for the update.
My Feedback:
I am not sure if its available for other model numbers. But I updated my N97 mini (RM-555) to FW 30.0.004 (It's available in India). But I had to reset my phone because I kept getting annoying out of memory messages and because I couldn’t uninstall the tons of apps from system manager (which kept closing automatically due to out of memory issues). I had to end up resetting losing almost 8GB of applications and data which I neatly organized into multiple folders. But ever since the reset and formatting of my memory card and mass memory, I seem to be getting fewer out of memory messages. Also, magically some of the apps like netqin antivirus, ovi, youtube, facebook and some other apps which I planned to retain, still remained after the reset. It’s almost like the phone read my mind. :smileywink:...
Overall, I am happy with the improvements and glad that nokia has come up with an update on its 2 yr old flagship mobile. I was planning to buy a Galaxy SII once prices came down in India or move to Nokia’s Meego phones launching soon. But now I have convinced myself to wait for Nokia’s WM Mango instead of taking the leap to Samsung.
Here are some of my likes and dislikes from the update:
Email Client
Kudos:
- Single email client for corporate and personal emails.
- Better interface and HTML support for corporate emails.
- Contents of entire email can be seen at once.
- More options for sorting and grouping emails.
- No of displayable emails can be set for Inbox/Other folders.
- Easy search option for emails.
- Integrated Calendar/Contacts and To Do list for accounts.
Scope for improvement:
- Mail for exchange didn’t initially work for me. I had to reset my device for it to work.
- No indication of new emails. Pop up option on new mail for MFE is not there. Nor is there any indication on email client indicating a new mail has come. I get a sound notification when new mails come, but have no way to say on which account. So need to manually check each one. I am sure it will be easy to put no of new mails next to account name.
- No way to add more than one email widget on home screen. I would like to add MFE and my personal email id separately on home screen as widgets. Would love if this can be done.
- Missing corporate address book search which was available with old MFE. This was useful for getting corporate email ids of people who were not on my address book.
- Single consolidated mailbox of all emails. One view with all corporate, personal emails sorted by date. This is only my wish list. But I guess it’s asking too much for now.
- Option in PC version of OVI to add all details like FB, GMAIL, OVI account etc available on phone. PC version only has emails.
- Sometimes I find that the updates are not happening in real time compared to earlier email client.
Web Browser
Kudos:
- New Look is much better. But still not as good as the memory consuming Opera.
- More screen space available for web site display.
- Address Bar is a good improvement.
- Best of course is the easy option for multiple windows and usage of back icon for going back to your history instead of just previous link.
- Smoother scrolling.
- Find word works perfectly with optional directional find.
- Faster and better rendering of web pages.
- Web search provider option allows for direct searches from address bar.
Scope for improvement:
- Memory intensive compared to earlier version.
- Address bar, back and settings icon do not auto hide. So on some websites, it becomes a problem. Specially, if I connect to FB on web browser. The logout link on FBs mobile website is overlaid by the back button. So there is no way to logout of FB. I am sure there are other websites where this might pose a problem.
- Zoom except for the double tap which allows for a standard zoom is a pain (since pinch to zoom is absent). The earlier interface had the + and -. Wonder if this can be added somewhere on the screen space with auto hide active.
- Older flash player doesn’t support some websites.
- No option to share website link.
OVI Maps
Kudos:
- Clear distinguishing factor. One of the best map software’s.
- Quick lock on location.
- Superb 3D view with landmark/building details.
- Smooth scrolling and map rendering.
- Options for map improvements.
- Sync options available.
- Map reporter allows users to report and keep maps up to date.
- Option to install maps directly from phone.
- Check in option to let your friends know where you are.
- Good online services like Book your table which allows you to route to chosen restaurant, check availability of movie tickets with Bookmyshow, make a reservation at a hotel with BURP, Check events, Check weather at your destination, check deals in your city and route to the deal location, make phone calls directly to your destination hotel etc. Very useful indeed.
Scope for improvement:
- Memory intensive compared to earlier version.
- No simulated drive.
Other Improvements:
- An Improved Dialler similar to N8.
- Sync your contacts, calendar etc directly to OVI.com without a PC.
- New Emoticons in Messaging App.
- Music player with lyrics.
- Hope that Nokia still believes in symbian (at least till Mango comes).
Some tips from my experience with the update
Major problems I had were with Memory and with connecting to my corporate MFE account using Email client.
- For people who are finding a problem to connect to MFE or any other problem, try backing up your data and apps and doing a reset. Its time consuming, but it may help. Do remember to back up data and your apps. I am not sure if you will be able to install all your apps back again from ovi. I am having trouble with that. But at least your data can be backed up. Also install netqin, it helps block out auto start programs and also kill unwanted processes like windows task manager.
- Try to keep your phone memory free as far as possible. Use Memory stick or mass memory for program installation or music.
- Try to keep minimum no of programs in your start up. Block unnecessary programs from starting when your phone starts using Netqin.
- Keep clearing cache on your web browser often if you are do heavy duty browsing on your phone.
- Direct all your messages/MMS storing to Memory card/Mass memory to free up your Phone memory (Check messaging options).
- Reduce no of emails displayed in your email client for each account. (Check Settings in email client for each account. Minimum is 60).
- Keep backing up your contacts, messages, music, notes using OVI PC suite.
- Use antivirus (Netqin is good) to keep your browsing and emails secure. It also comes with an anti theft module.
- I also suggest using online services which come inside Ovi maps like Bookyourtable, Expedia, Book my show etc. They are awesome.
Folks @ Nokia,
Keep up the good work. Hope you’ll bounce back with WM Mango phones or with your new Meego line (these show a lot of promise). Waiting for your Windows phone.
Best of luck,
Vinu