Nokia N8x0 upgrades: over-the-air updates, A-GPS and more

Here's a very welcome upgrade to the Nokia 800-series Internet Tablets. The latest firmware makes that pocketable device a little easier to update in the future thanks to over-the-air support. Yup, you'll be able to download and install updates through WiFi or WiMAX instead of having to tether that tablet to a computer. If that wasn't enough, the upgrade process iteself becomes a little more mainstream: this firmware supports what Nokia deems SSU. No, not Sonoma State University, but Seamless Software Updating. Read: you'll be able to upgrade incremental bits of the firmware instead having to backup, flash and restore your entire device going forward. There's a few other goodies in there as well, including support for A-GPS on the newer N810 series.

I still believe that the N800 devices aren't yet appealing to most mainstream folks, but updates like this are definite step in the right direction.

(via BGR)

Comments

[Nate]

This is a great upgrade. I reluctantly upgraded my n800 last night. I was wrong to be a skeptic. Here are the highlights:

1. Web browsing is faster and it doesn't hiccup of flash like it used to.

2. Overall, the device has a little more spring in its step. Things pop open and closed a lot quicker than they used to.

3. Streamlined upgrades. If there's an upgrade for any of your software, OS or otherwise, the device tells you. Right after I reinstalled all of my software, the update notifications started coming in.

These are just the things I've noticed in my limited use of Diablo. Of course there are some third party apps that need to be updated for Diablo, but that's to be expected.

If you plan on upgrading, I'd advise against restoring your settings from a backup. The first time I updated to Diablo I did this, and the performance was terrible. You need to do a clean install to reap the benefits of this update.

[Alslayer]

I think I might update now. I didn't read anything about web browsing and flash being faster. My n800 has so few flaws that I didn't think I needed the update.