Nokia N96 Bruce Lee edition

[via 2DayBlog]

FOTA not working on the N96

I’ve just tried to update my N96 review unit’s software/firmware via the phone itself. You have to either press *#0000#, or go to Device Manager, and press “Check for updates”. For me it isn’t working, half way through it says “File not found” or “Connection lost”, I’ve tried both 3G and Wi-Fi.

Anyone having the same issue?

Nokia can’t spell

I was just looking at the back cover of the N96 review unit, and I noticed something strange: there seems to be a new language, it’s one that is very similar to my mother tongue, it’s called “Portugese”. If anyone knows where the language is from, please let me know!

I can’t watch the movie on my N96!

Well, it’s not mine, but you get the point. The N96 comes with the movie Transformers, and when I click on it, it says “File is locked!”.  The icon of the movie shows a key on the left bottom side. The details show the following:

“Status: Activation key expired

Content sending: Not allowed”

Does this mean that I can’t watch it? Well, I did a search, and found out that whoever resetted the device might have deleted the licence. I changed the date just to see if it worked, but it still doesn’t work.

I will have to contact Nokia’s PR agency in South Africa to let me know how I can solve the issue. Here are the screenshots:

Mega Monsters comes to NGage

Nokia Games Publishing has made available Mega Monsters for NGage, a game practically centered around destruction.

I haven’t tested it yet, but it does sound quite fun, and Nokia is quite confident about it: “Mega Monsters is made for those of us who love monsters and who like nothing more than stomping through buildings and crunching a few tanks and helicopters along the way,” said Dr Mark Ollila, Director, Games Publishing, Nokia. “The 3D graphics and fully destructible environment let you set your inner monster loose and smash through city after city.  Exciting game personalization options help create a cruch-tastic game that will be hard to put down. Mega Monsters is going to be the biggest monster smash on mobile.”

Mega Monsters was designed in collaboration with Australian developer Firemint.

Read more

Nokia N96: the very first thoughts

I just received my first Nokia N96. Well, it isn’t mine, but it’s going to stay with me for this week or so. Nokia PR in South Africa sent me one for a review at PhoneReport, and I decided to quickly share my thoughts in this blog. I don’t feel like going all formal at PhoneReport because I just wrote an English exam…

I was only expecting the phone to arrive next week, but this morning I received an email saying that they will drop one off when they collect the E71 I photo reviewed here.

So what are my first thoughts? Nothing better than put them in point form:

• It’s huge, occupies most of my hand, when compared to my innocent N95. I like it! – good
• No memory card – I’m fine with 16GB, thank you very much. – good
• Ovi leaflet in the box. Could be more interesting, such as uploading features, geotagging, etc. Well, Nokia seems to be getting there, slowly. – ok
• Keys feel very cheap, they have a plastic that feels as it’s moving. – bad
• There’s a car charger, something besides numbers tells me the battery will die very quickly. – good
• No music in it. Not even one track. – bad
• The included movie, Transformers, is locked. I haven’t browsed through the box to find the code. – bad
• It comes with a free Tetris game. Why not Asphalt Urban or something? – bad
• The display is huge. – good
• Speakers are loud. – good
• My fingers fit nicely on the first keypad row, and typing isn’t bad at all. Will have to see tonight with MXit. – good
• Transitions not on by default. Why not? – bad
• Auto-rotation not on by default. Why not? – bad
• Navi-wheel doesn’t work. – bad
• Flash doesn’t seem to be very powerful, will have to compare it later to the N95. – bad

That’s pretty much it. I will think of something more concrete when I write the actual review. Until then, those of you who do have the N96, please share your knowledge/problems at the N96 discussion forum!

Nokia N96 v12.035 is official!

Breaking news everyone, Nokia N96 forum member DAGr8 has just sent us a screenshot proof that the v12.035 firmware/software upgrade isn’t a rumour, or non-official version. He has installed it in his phone, as you can see below, and also provided the tips to install it. If you’re interested, click here!

Nokia N96 v12.035 firmware leaked?

Nokia N96 forum member jonbaker has posted over at a thread in the forum on the possible leaked v12 firmware/software update for the N96.

The link for the update file is http://rapidshare.com/files/160982536/Nokia_firmware_RM-247_EMEA_12.035_v04.00EFAJQROM.exe

I am unsure whether this is legitimate or could just ruin your phone, but if it was legitimate, I’m not sure how you would install it on your phone. I’ve asked jonbaker if he has tried to run it, but I am still awaiting response.

From what I’ve read at DailyMobile and SpazioCellulare, whom link to the Ipmart thread where all this started, it is very inconclusive, and it seems that no one has tested it yet.

Anyone willing to take one for the team? Click here to join the forum discussion!