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> firmware: why S/E is undesireable in the US
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S/E releases phones with faulty firmware. Sure, Nokia and others do as well, but it seems like if you want to have a fully functional S/E phone, you'd better be able to march into your "local" shop to get the thing re-flashed every few months.
This is exactly why I'm not getting the P800 and am opting for the Treo600. If ever a firmware update is released, I can just download it and install it myself at home.
Doesn't it seem that since the P800 is a PDA-Phone with a cradle that connects to a PC, S/E could have distributed updates to the phone firmware in a similar manner? How inconvenient is it for people to have to go to a service point to have information electronically transferred to their phones?! Even if I did live in Europe, I would seriously hesitate buying S/E for this reason. Seimens users have been able to update firmware at home for years, I feel S/E should do the same.
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Posted: 2003-08-21 20:24:52
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I agree for 100%! This is technically possible, so why doesn't SE let us?
This message was posted from a WAP device
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Posted: 2003-08-21 20:37:10
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Yeah you should be able to but you can't. Personally I don't find it that big of a problem. I got it flashed when I got the screen "replaced" (they didn't fix it, still 2 dead pixels...)
HOWEVER, there must be a reason for it b/c its not the most economically efficient business model to have to flash everyone's phone for free whenever they come in. I would suppose the reason they do it is because so many phones fail upon upgrade. The firmware upgrading is not too stable and they don't want to deal with a bunch of DOA phones getting sent in.
The main and depressing downfall of this is the fact that for both these reasons, if I were S/E, I would be less inclined to release "major" firmware updates (sync/email/BT/video) b/c the more people that want to upgrade the more pain in the ass it is for me.
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Posted: 2003-08-21 20:40:27
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gomichaelkgo: Is the Treo 600 released already?. Is it bluetooth enabled?.
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Posted: 2003-08-21 21:26:39
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Quote:
On 2003-08-21 21:26:39, RizSher wrote:
gomichaelkgo: Is the Treo 600 released already?. Is it bluetooth enabled?.
No, and No.
It will come October. It is missing native Bluetooth, but it has a QWERTY keyboard, touch screen, tons of apps already developed for it, and an SDIO expansion slot. One could add Bluetooth, WiFi, or GPS in this slot when (if?) the accessories are available. Lots of info is available for it at
TreoCentral.
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Posted: 2003-08-21 21:40:46
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I was told by an engineer that I know who works for SE, that one of the reason for not making it possible to do firmware upgrades yourself is because of the fear of someone hacking and tampering with the software. Which could create serious problems on the GSM networks and for the service providers and in the end for SE.
Another reason is the fact that you can make the phone useless if you do something wrong when flashing the phone. Breaking the connection halfway through an upgrade or a computer crashing would render the phone useless. I know many people who most definately should not be allowed to flash their phones. I understand SE's policy about this.
Besides, "normal" people aren't supposed to know that new firmware is available. The service centers will know and if people have a problem with the phone then they'll upgrade the firmware without you ever knowing about the new firmware. Most customers never upgrades their phone let alone know that it is possible.
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Posted: 2003-08-21 22:16:44
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cingular told me they just do firmware updates through GSM whenever they get any new updates
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Posted: 2003-08-22 00:32:35
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A firmware upgrade is much too compicated to do as an over the air download. Did you get this info from a customer care rep?? You should call back and ask to speak to a manager!
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Posted: 2003-08-22 00:54:01
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Doobie: That's a load of
cr@p.
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Posted: 2003-08-22 00:57:50
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i called a cingular location near my house to ask if they do firmware updates and they told me that the latest version they have is R1A and that they would update it through GSM if they had a newer one
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Posted: 2003-08-22 01:03:50
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