Today saw the release of the long awaited v20 firmware update which was expected to bring kinetic scrolling throughout all menus on the N97, being able to hold keys down to access the alternative character/number when typing as well as some other much needed bug fixes. One important feature which was expected, Skype, is not included and is expected again, at a later date.
An excerpt of the change list from Steve Litchfield at All About Symbian:
Improvements in firmware 20.2.019 are:
- A reworked memory mapping model – this means that applications use the (relatively) limited RAM much more efficiently and you should rarely see any memory errors. Note that the available ‘Free RAM’ after booting is now a lot less (around 47MB), but don’t take this raw number too literally – apps apparently use less RAM than before
- Kinetic scrolling in the User Interface in all lists and larger-than-screen views
- The keyboard driver has been enhanced so that a long press on any key brings up its associated ‘function’ symbol (or number)
- Music player shows album art more reliably, plus extra MP3 ID3 information
- Half a dozen new social media and services widgets have been added by default
- Camera still and video improvements…
For those of you running a sim-free unlocked UK Nokia N97, the v12 update has only been able since the 17th of October, there may be quite a wait for v20 unless the posts on the Nokia forum have been read.
The update is probably only available to Euro sim-free variants but worth a try if you have a non-operator branded handset from another region. For more information check out this post on how to update your N97 firmware. Over the air updates using the built-in Software app may not be available for a few days.
[UPDATE] As I was going through the phone’s settings one by one restoring my tones and programs, scrolling through the list of files to select my ringtone I noticed that one of the video clips appeared! The preview of the video clip worked so I set it as the ringtone. YES! N95s on v20.0.15 can now use video ringtones without having to rely on third-party software! Also, there is a new visualisation available called Circles in Music Player.
The word on the forums is that Demand Paging is included in this release so I tried my best to force a memory error out of the N95 on v20.0.15. I ran the Music Player and left it playing a track, fired up Nokia Maps, opened the web browser and loaded up a page over wi-fi, ran a search, opened the gallery, started the radio (no music) and then took a picture with the camera. All this and the phone didn’t throw up the memory error!
