OMG : Nokia N900 PR1.1 Firmware ChangeLog is Huge !


The Nokia N900 just got a firmware update to version 55.1 or PR1.1. The changelog for the update has been posted on  the Maemo Wiki and we are still counting the changes this update brings.

This is the biggest changelog we have seen in recent times. Some of the items in the log are in-depth technical details

New features

  • Hutchison SIM cards are supported.
  • MS Exchange 2003 support.

Maemo Update

  • Bootloader (Nolo) can be updated over Maemo Update.
  • Cellular software can be updated over Maemo Update.
  • Icon cache removed to allow more memory space for Maemo Update.
  • Application Manager: Available space check moved to apt-worker for more accurate results.

Reliability

  • Improvements in SGX performance and reliability.

Use-time and power consumption

  • API for status area applets to detect if they are invisible/absent.
  • Fixes to Pulseaudio timer increasing power saving when starting/closing apps.
  • Browser: Removed unnecessary serial logging.
  • Reduction of wake-ups in Desktop, Connectivity, Conversations, RSS Feed Reader,
  • Backup handles correctly directories containing pairs of symlinks.
  • Less CPU load caused during video recording.
  • Support disabling Virtual Keyboard in input field.
  • Performance improvements in Browser.
  • Lock: “swipe to unlock” will not stay on.
  • CPU idle latencies and thresholds updated.
  • Fixing eMMC data lines while sleeping.
  • CellMO power consumption reduced.

Usability

  • Volume button operation in call flipped based on audio routing (no more on screen orientation).
  • Browser: Downloading & rendering of page content runs promptly.
  • Helping to avoid capacity limits of rootfs when installing apps (make Docpurge aware of /opt).
  • Stability and usability fixes to the Profiles applet. Selection, usage and restoring of ringtones.
  • Fast call from home shortcuts.
  • Fast SMS rejection of incoming call.
  • Avoid false alarms in pocket.
  • Silence ringing by flipping face down.
  • Fix to Camera photo orientation problem: correct orientation is now written to EXIF.

Performance

  • X: performance of GLES apps improved.
  • Lower RAM consumption while capturing video.
  • Phone-UI & Msg-UI always ready to appear.
  • Application Manager UI speed improvements.
  • Email faster with large mailboxes.
  • Large file copy (SD->MMC) doesn’t degrade system performance.

OVI Maps

  • Route calculation and search performance improved.

Connectivity

  • BT Secure Simple Pairing fixed for Windows Vista.
  • BT transfer progress indicated.
  • Improving WLAN connection stability.
  • Improved WLAN negotiation when going out of reach of access point.

Phonecalls

  • Add voicemail shortcut support.
  • Showing call forwarding correctly when busy forwarding is not set.
  • Call log improved.

Audio & Video

  • Audio volume control works with +/- keys in full-screen playback of flash.
  • Handling corrupted ring tone files better.
  • HW volume keys always have same orientation.
  • Media Player UI now provides feedback when tapping control buttons in video playback.
  • MIC input not clipped when loud voice in VoIP call.
  • Pulseaudio: Ringtone is heard from the loudspeaker if BT connected.
  • Ringtone played both to headset (BT or wired) and to internal HF speakers.
  • AV sync fix for recorded videos.

Camera

  • ISO EXIF value for images saved when automatic sensitivity in use.
  • Vignetting test of 2nd camera fixed, VGA sensor stability.

Battery and Charging

  • Improved charging in case of low charging power (PC USB charging).

USB

  • Fixing the USB detection and card mounting issue related to quickly attaching/detaching the cable.
  • Able to format corrupted eMMC properly.
  • Hang fixed in case of WLAN disconnection while copying files.

Synchronization

  • Activesync supports now MS Exchange 2003.
  • Activesync – fixes the forwarding of attachments showing incorrect sizes (Exchange server 2003).
  • Content copier of PC Suite enabled. Whole content backup (including Notes) can now be restored from PCSuite.

3rd party applications

  • Policy-settings: Fixes rotation transition in for 3rd party applications.
  • Policy-settings: By default, 3rd party apps should have the same limits as our applications.

Calendar

  • Public API for color picker. Home widget is now translucent.
  • Set/get alarms API.
  • Syncing of task alarms supported.

Image Viewer

  • Thumbnailing faster.

Application Manager

  • Rename Maemo Extras to maemo.org and enable by default.
  • Grid view applied for the categories in download view. Added API for filtering packages.

Development Platform

  • SDK content and tools updated.
  • SDK GUI installer updated.
  • New sharing-dialog-dev package added to enable Bluetooth and email sending.
  • New wappushd-dev package documenting MMS interfaces available.

Community reports fixed

Reports in http://bugs.maemo.org that have been fixed for PR1.1:

Browser

Calendar

Chat & Call & SMS

Connectivity

Contacts

Core

Desktop platform

Desktop Widgets

Development Platform

Email

Images and Camera

Location

Map

Media player

Multimedia

Settings and Maintenance

Sharing

Statusbar Widgets

Synchronization

System Analysis

System software

Telephony

Translations

Utilities


Author: Varun Krish

Varun Krish is a Mobile Technology Enthusiast and has been blogging about mobile phones since 2005. His current phones include the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Google Pixel 6. You can follow him on Twitter @varunkrish and on Google+ You can also mail Varun Krish