I updated the firmware in my Nokia N95 8GB yesterday.
According to the Nokia software updater application, which automatically checks the installed firmware against a database to see if there’s a new version, my phone now has the latest firmware version, 11.0.026, dated November 1, 2007.
Double-checking again today confirms that.
But is it really the latest version?
In a Jaiku conversation with Pat Phelan yesterday, it’s apparent that the latest firmware for this device is actually version 15.0.015 according to AllAboutSymbian.com.
So why does the Nokia updater not identify this later firmware version?
According to one of the commenters in that post, this is why:
If you buy a phone that is locked to a particular network, its firmware updates often take a lot longer to become available because the network operator uses slightly different firmware to the original sim-free unlocked model.
My mobile service provider is Vodafone UK and the phone is locked to that provider.
So you have a situation where some people can easily upgrade their devices to firmware that supports all manner of new and improved functionality.
But if you’re locked in to a particular provider, you have to wait until whenever they decide to enable an update, and with no assurance that you’ll get any of the cool new bells and whistles.
Isn’t this a bit like the situation in the music industry where DRM to restrict what you can do with your music and devices has reigned supreme for years? All solely for the benefit of the industry and to the disadvantage of the user?
Well, the winds of change have blown strongly through that industry.
I wish those winds would blow through the mobile industry.
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