How to update to PR1.2 OTA

Finally!

I found a solution to my updating problem, and I definitely want to share it with the world, so annoying it was not to be able to upgrade the firmware of my N900.

All you who have the mysterious message obligating to use Nokia Software Updater for upgrading to PR1.2, go and read these tips in Maemo Wiki. The headline is about PR1.1 Troubleshooting, but it's valid also for the PR1.2. I got my problem solved with these instructions, and in my case it was the Brain Party application that was installed.

Ok, go on, here you are, the instructions HERE!

The pain of the PR 1.2

We heard the big news with hype and fanfares few days ago, but why the fact, that thousands (?) of N900 users are struggling to update their device, is not on the headlines?

I'm still trying with OTA and NSU, and bad luck, no bonus. And still no PR 1.2 in my N900!

The OTA says I have to connect my device to a computer to do the update, and NSU says the new firmware could not be downloaded from the server... what on earth should I do?!

I'm losing my confidence to Nokia little by little, and knowing N900 will be the only Maemo device does not cheer me up either.

20100413_005.jpg

Just tested to post a photo taken with N900 straight to blogger.
Well, it went well. Only thing I do not like is that I can not write a text comment at the same time but have to do it manually later.

MaStory test

This is a test of a blogging software MaStory.

My first own application

Finally I managed to run a couple of my own Qt applications on my N900!
The applications are not very complex, but I am still excited!
Check the beautiful screenshots!

Nokia news

Just heard that Nokia will merge Maemo with Mobli and there will be an operating system called Meego. Don't like the idea so much, but hoping that it'll bring something good to Maemo. At least the concept will be very open and compatible, and Qt will be the framework for the developing.

Also heard that there have been some problems with the usb-plug of the N900. Nokia has accepted that there is a possibility that the whole usb-port comes loose while unplugging the charger.

AdBlockPlus problems

After installing and unistalling the real Firefox browser I faced an annoying problem with the AdBlockPlus -plugin. It does not filter ads anymore! No idea why, and already googled it and found some intstructions how to solve the problem, but still not working...

...Just found another instructions, have to try it out!

Firefox for Maemo!

Finally I got an inspiration to try the Firefox for Maemo 5 beta version.

First impression was really good!
Nice, new kind of approach to the function button hiding: By dragging the screen you can reveal the hided sidebars, and then hide them again and center the view to see the web page in full screen.

It has also much more settings than the basic Maemo 5 (Mozilla based as well) browser. Hey! Wait a second!

Never actually checked what settings the basic browser has...! Let's take a look...

Yep, there are the same settings in both, in Firefox they are easier to access. That's why never even thought about them in the basic browser.

Plugins are also supported, as in the desktop versions. That is good, can't live without AdBlockPlus for example...

After very short test I notice that Firefox is kinda slower than the basic Maemo browser... another really annoying detail is, that the zooming does not work as it works in the basic browser from the hardware volume keys.

Well, it's still in beta, I give them all the time they need, let's see if they manage to triumph with this. Meanwhile, I continue using the basic, Mozilla based browser for Maemo 5.

First post with N900

This week has brought a lot of life to my N900. The first major update reached my device, and I'm hyped about it. Ovi store offers some new content, and especially the game Angry Birds is worth trying.

The update went all well, and I was exited to read about the changes they have made. For example the usb connecting bug I experienced should now be fixed!

Well, it's quite hard to write with this thing, so It's time to go..

Testing the blogger add-on

Starting problem

This morning I tried to start up my N900, and it went only to the first loading screen, and then switched off. Tried several times and always the same. I remember to have a lot of battery yesterday before switching it off... so what is happening?!

Then I connected it with usb to my laptop to charge it, just in case. After 30 seconds, another try, and whuuf, it started normally!

Battery

Today I used the N900 intesively (without using Wifi or phonecalls at all), and the battery charge only lasted about 12 hours. I was just gaming the very addictive Hex-a-Hop some hours, and that's it.

This is not very convincing, I would say. I know the battery charge duration is somewhat the same in all similar devices (?), but hey, it's year 2010. They went to moon in 1969, they will fly around the world with solar energy only, etc. I would expect something better...

Why all the devices could have some small solar panels on them? Even if they were very ineffective, something is better than nothing.

Video

One thing that superates the expections is the video quality. Xvid compatibility is something very useful.

In the media player I would like to have options for adjusting the video aspect.