Nokia N86 v20 firmware adds face detection and camera improvements
The Nokia N86 8MP has received its v20 firmware upgrade a full week or so ahead of schedule, with v20.115 now available over the air (*#0000# on your homescreen) and via Nokia Software Update. There's a changelog below, but all you need to know is that this preserves user data and is a must-have - it's 8MB, large for an over the air update, takes over five minutes to apply and updates getting on for 6% of all OS files and modules. Read on.
Updating the N86 to v20.115 via FOTA (firmware over the air).
v20.115 brings:
Camera improvements:
- Improved still image quality
- Improved video quality
- Face detection added
- Red-eye removal added (Nokia note: "this is image processing which removes the red-eye. You need to be in red-eye reduction flash mode for it to be operational. Other flash modes it is disabled as there is a small shot to shot impact due to the extra image processing.")
- New focus point indication - this shows where in the scene the camera is focussing
- Improved Close-up focus. (Nokia note: "As a result you will find in most situations you can focus much closer than before. The new focus point indication will also help in confirming which part of your subject is used for critical focus checking")
Face detection is indicated by a yellow square.
Significant bug fixes to:
- Web
- Music store client
- RealPlayer
- Ovi Maps (including faster calibration of the digital compass)
- Here and Now
- N-Gage client
- Nokia Messaging
There's also now:
- Automatic VoIP re-registration.
- Ovi Chat shortcut on the homescreen
- An new Ovi services splash screen
- An Ovi Store client (though it's buggy, selections from the Options menu are problematic.... - best use the mobile Ovi Store site in the meantime?)
- An initial option to check for software updates when a customer first boots up the phone
In addition, there's more free space on C: (around 70MB when you start afresh), there's more free RAM (around 65MB after booting) and the N86 feels faster.
In short this is a must-have upgrade. I have been using product code RM-484, but other N86 variants should get v20.115 in fairly short order. Network-branded handsets will, of course, have a much longer wait.....
PS. It's worth noting that some bugs are still present. BBC iPlayer downloads claim to be 'downloaded to Gallery' but in fact aren't shown (you have to launch them from File manager). Feel free to chime in with unfixed bugs in the comments.
Steve Litchfield, All About Symbian, 30 Sept 2009
Published by Steve Litchfield at 20:09 BST, September 30th
Categories: Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
Unregistered
Comment: What does "gotten" mean?
Mod note: See [url=http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=define%3A+gotten&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a]Google[/url] for definition of gotten.
Mod note: See [url=http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=define%3A+gotten&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a]Google[/url] for definition of gotten.
Unregistered
Comment: Brilliant update to the best camera phone atm, yup the Pixon12 needs a few updates to get past the N86 atm.
whatleydude
Comment: UK1 and Finland1 not updated yet...
Boo.
Boo.
miki69
Comment: Nice, major improvements in camera department as expected, however many other major issues are not resolved like when images saved to mass memory, they don't appear under Captured or Months; Music icon from main menu is broken.... I was expecting more overall improvements, not just camera ones.
Cheers,
Miki
Cheers,
Miki
rafiii
Comment: Not available for me (yet?) :frown: I also have the version RM-484 but my product code is 0586597. I hope I won't wait a month for the upgrade.
slitchfield
Comment: Photos and Music work fine for me. Mind you, I was playing safe and did a sync of data and then a hard reset - maybe UDP is what's scuppering you?
miki69
Comment: Music is ok, but all images I take are saved in "All" folder and not in "Captured", so "Captured" and "Months" are always empty. That was also an issue with v11.043 and I hoped they corrected this in v20.115 but unfortunately not. Is your Music icon (red/pink one)in main menu broken as well or not? Maybe I should do full update (over 140MB) via NSU to correct this....
Cheers,
Miki
Cheers,
Miki
Perry D.
Comment: Is it possible for the new Firmware update to be unavailable to certain product codes?
It's still not showing up on mine. I believe mine has a German product code (for T-Mobile), but I bought it unlocked, overseas.
Thanks for this changelog!
It's still not showing up on mine. I believe mine has a German product code (for T-Mobile), but I bought it unlocked, overseas.
Thanks for this changelog!
srw985
Comment: Any way to remove that silly Chat shortcut from the homescreen?
I'm never going to use it
I'm never going to use it
Rafe
Comment: Firmware does not become available for all product code instantly. You may have to wait up to a fortnight (usually its not that long) for unbranded phones. For operator variants you sometimes have to wait much longer.
And occasionally product codes do seem to be forgotten. I think this happens because someone forgets to tick a box somewhere. I recall this happening for blue versus red 5800's early in the year...
And occasionally product codes do seem to be forgotten. I think this happens because someone forgets to tick a box somewhere. I recall this happening for blue versus red 5800's early in the year...
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=miki69;440216]Nice, major improvements in camera department as expected, however many other major issues are not resolved like when images saved to mass memory, they don't appear under Captured or Months; Music icon from main menu is broken.... I was expecting more overall improvements, not just camera ones.
Cheers,
Miki[/quote]
Hi I'd like to be clear in understanding this issue.
Could you take a new picture and check if it is visible under captured?
Images which were not taken with your specific device will not be visible in this location but only under all. That's how this was designed to make it easier to separate your captured content from other images from other sources etc.
br
Cheers,
Miki[/quote]
Hi I'd like to be clear in understanding this issue.
Could you take a new picture and check if it is visible under captured?
Images which were not taken with your specific device will not be visible in this location but only under all. That's how this was designed to make it easier to separate your captured content from other images from other sources etc.
br
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=srw985;440225]Any way to remove that silly Chat shortcut from the homescreen?
I'm never going to use it[/quote]
Yes. menu > tools > settings > general > personalisation > standby mode > standby theme > select horizontal icon bar.
atb
I'm never going to use it[/quote]
Yes. menu > tools > settings > general > personalisation > standby mode > standby theme > select horizontal icon bar.
atb
Unregistered
Comment: Firmware update is not on the NAM version. Just like the E71 update.
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=miki69;440219]Music is ok, but all images I take are saved in "All" folder and not in "Captured", so "Captured" and "Months" are always empty. That was also an issue with v11.043 and I hoped they corrected this in v20.115 but unfortunately not. Is your Music icon (red/pink one)in main menu broken as well or not? Maybe I should do full update (over 140MB) via NSU to correct this....
Cheers,
Miki[/quote]
re music icon. Do you have a standard theme? If so please share an image if you can of the problem.
atb
Cheers,
Miki[/quote]
re music icon. Do you have a standard theme? If so please share an image if you can of the problem.
atb
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=Unregistered;440231]Firmware update is not on the NAM version. Just like the E71 update.[/quote]
Should be available next week if all goes well.
Should be available next week if all goes well.
Perry D.
Comment: Thanks for the quick response, Rafe!
I have a custom version of the old firmware: 11.043.55.1, with the "55.1" being the distinguishing part. I bought my N86 unlocked, unbranded in Canada (local dealer).
Should it matter that my N86 has a custom version of the old firmware? I really, really hope it won't be forgotten. If that does end up happenning, what can I do about it? NSU via PC?
I have a custom version of the old firmware: 11.043.55.1, with the "55.1" being the distinguishing part. I bought my N86 unlocked, unbranded in Canada (local dealer).
Should it matter that my N86 has a custom version of the old firmware? I really, really hope it won't be forgotten. If that does end up happenning, what can I do about it? NSU via PC?
Samantha_
Comment: Is Face Detection function only software dependent? If yes, can it be available for other devices in the future?
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=Samantha_;440235]Is Face Detection function only software dependent? If yes, can it be available for other devices in the future?[/quote]
No other products in Nokia's *currently available* portfolio are planned to receive this via a FW update. This is principally because of the [more powerful] dedicated image processor N86 uses is different to other current products.
No other products in Nokia's *currently available* portfolio are planned to receive this via a FW update. This is principally because of the [more powerful] dedicated image processor N86 uses is different to other current products.
rvirga
Comment: [quote=DamianDinning;440238]This is principally because of the [more powerful] dedicated image processor N86 uses is different to other current products.[/quote]
Since the N86 has a more powerful processor than other N-series, would it be possible to add D1 (720x480) 30fps video recording? It's just a small step up from VGA, and most other camera-centric phones already have it. What about smile and blink detection?
Since the N86 has a more powerful processor than other N-series, would it be possible to add D1 (720x480) 30fps video recording? It's just a small step up from VGA, and most other camera-centric phones already have it. What about smile and blink detection?
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=rvirga;440239]Since the N86 has a more powerful processor than other N-series, would be possible to add D1 (720x480) 30fps video recording (it's just a small step up from VGA, and most other camera-centric phones already have it)? What about smile and blink detection?[/quote]
Re video res. There are multiple system issues with this which make it much more complicated than it sounds unfortunately. Whilst others may have higher res I think N86 does an excellent job in capturing very good detail in a wide range of situations with great sound.
Re blink OK that I can see merit in if implemented well. Very few cam phones IMO have done achieved this. Smile detection. Other than possibly self-timer use, you're going to have to convince me that this is not just a gimmick. I'd rather our sw people spent time on other things which 1. you'll use and 2. that will allow you to genuinely take better pics.
atb
Re video res. There are multiple system issues with this which make it much more complicated than it sounds unfortunately. Whilst others may have higher res I think N86 does an excellent job in capturing very good detail in a wide range of situations with great sound.
Re blink OK that I can see merit in if implemented well. Very few cam phones IMO have done achieved this. Smile detection. Other than possibly self-timer use, you're going to have to convince me that this is not just a gimmick. I'd rather our sw people spent time on other things which 1. you'll use and 2. that will allow you to genuinely take better pics.
atb
shadamehr
Comment: Hi Damian.
Just got in from work now 11.30pm, so not had a chance to update yet etc.
But it certainly sounds like the Camera side of this Camera-phone baby, has indeed reached dizzying new heights for a mobile phone - so well done there.
Additionally, there is a list of other Firmware features that have been fixed, which sounds encouraging.
But no mention of a whole raft of issues that currently make the phone unusable for a great many people, and as much as I am over the moon about the camera features, to be truly honest, there was nothing about the camera as it stands now, that prevented me using it, or prevented me using the phone.
So if it does transpire that all the major system bugs and problems we have flagged up have not had a chance to be fixed in this release, due to it being a prior work in progress before we pitched in with our "Issues List", could you nevertheless try to keep us happy, by giving us an assurance that you will convey any unresolved bugs on to the relevant team.
[B]Rest assured, we wholly understand that Imaging is your forte[/B] and remit here, but as I mentioned earlier, [B]the camera as it stood, was never preventing us from using our phone, whereas the many serious system bugs and issues ARE.[/B]
So that being the case, even just an assurance that any of the major issues that still remain after v20, if we convey them to you, you will ensure the correct people get to know about them - that would be brill mate...
Can we graciously pressurise you into that mate?
*lol*
Thanks, hopefully in advance of a "Yes".
And well done on such great camera features too - without doubt!
Just got in from work now 11.30pm, so not had a chance to update yet etc.
But it certainly sounds like the Camera side of this Camera-phone baby, has indeed reached dizzying new heights for a mobile phone - so well done there.
Additionally, there is a list of other Firmware features that have been fixed, which sounds encouraging.
But no mention of a whole raft of issues that currently make the phone unusable for a great many people, and as much as I am over the moon about the camera features, to be truly honest, there was nothing about the camera as it stands now, that prevented me using it, or prevented me using the phone.
So if it does transpire that all the major system bugs and problems we have flagged up have not had a chance to be fixed in this release, due to it being a prior work in progress before we pitched in with our "Issues List", could you nevertheless try to keep us happy, by giving us an assurance that you will convey any unresolved bugs on to the relevant team.
[B]Rest assured, we wholly understand that Imaging is your forte[/B] and remit here, but as I mentioned earlier, [B]the camera as it stood, was never preventing us from using our phone, whereas the many serious system bugs and issues ARE.[/B]
So that being the case, even just an assurance that any of the major issues that still remain after v20, if we convey them to you, you will ensure the correct people get to know about them - that would be brill mate...
Can we graciously pressurise you into that mate?
*lol*
Thanks, hopefully in advance of a "Yes".
And well done on such great camera features too - without doubt!
brianjmarcel
Comment: what product code is this out for?
Rafe
Comment: Late comers may also find this thread informative (Nokia N86 next firmware to include Face Detection: [url]http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88182[/url])
----
Perry D. No that should not make a difference.
It can be worth trying NSU via the PC as well. Some people seem to find this method more reliable.
However patience is probably the best thing here!
-----
I've been playing with the face detection stuff - defintely impressive watching the square follow the face around - I can't really judge how much difference it makes, I suspect it'll be more a case of better photos without me realising (as it should be)... I'm looking forward to trying out some fancy focusing in better light conditions too.
For those that use Ovi Maps an update to 3.1 is available (via Sw update on the phone - I was alerted automatically - nice to see this). I definitely noticed the improved compass lock - seemed to take just one flick.
I also appreciate the ability turn off Ovi Contacts without losing other homescreen plug-ins. I'll probably put it back when Ovi Chat has better IM network federation / support.
And thanks to Damian for answering so many questions.
----
Perry D. No that should not make a difference.
It can be worth trying NSU via the PC as well. Some people seem to find this method more reliable.
However patience is probably the best thing here!
-----
I've been playing with the face detection stuff - defintely impressive watching the square follow the face around - I can't really judge how much difference it makes, I suspect it'll be more a case of better photos without me realising (as it should be)... I'm looking forward to trying out some fancy focusing in better light conditions too.
For those that use Ovi Maps an update to 3.1 is available (via Sw update on the phone - I was alerted automatically - nice to see this). I definitely noticed the improved compass lock - seemed to take just one flick.
I also appreciate the ability turn off Ovi Contacts without losing other homescreen plug-ins. I'll probably put it back when Ovi Chat has better IM network federation / support.
And thanks to Damian for answering so many questions.
DamianDinning
Comment: [quote=shadamehr;440242]Hi Damian.
Just got in from work now 11.30pm, so not had a chance to update yet etc.
[/quote]
As said before this was more maintenance in practice than new features.
However, the camera did get attention here so I understand how you come to this view. I suggest you run the update first.
The change log doesn't do justice to the amount of work involved to deliver this release and the number of refinements. I'm not going to go in to detail here and answer each and every point but as also said before this forum and many others are sources for collecting feedback. We then look at all the collective feedback. When I checked the actual data re feedback through our call centres etc the data for N86 is low suggesting the vast majority of people are happy. In your case and some others I understand there are points you would like to see attention. I think we have addressed the vast majority. If there are points which you feel we have missed then we'll try and address those in a future update. I know the people involved will value this feedback.
BTW yes a specialist subject for me maybe imaging but I was responsible for concepting this product along with others which have not yet seen the light of day. You can't do that JUST by knowing about imaging :-)
atb
Just got in from work now 11.30pm, so not had a chance to update yet etc.
[/quote]
As said before this was more maintenance in practice than new features.
However, the camera did get attention here so I understand how you come to this view. I suggest you run the update first.
The change log doesn't do justice to the amount of work involved to deliver this release and the number of refinements. I'm not going to go in to detail here and answer each and every point but as also said before this forum and many others are sources for collecting feedback. We then look at all the collective feedback. When I checked the actual data re feedback through our call centres etc the data for N86 is low suggesting the vast majority of people are happy. In your case and some others I understand there are points you would like to see attention. I think we have addressed the vast majority. If there are points which you feel we have missed then we'll try and address those in a future update. I know the people involved will value this feedback.
BTW yes a specialist subject for me maybe imaging but I was responsible for concepting this product along with others which have not yet seen the light of day. You can't do that JUST by knowing about imaging :-)
atb
shadamehr
Comment: [quote=DamianDinning;440249]snipped...
The change log doesn't do justice to the amount of work involved to deliver this release and the number of refinements...[/quote]
I think that statement alone, is hugely encouraging.
If not though, the rest of what you said, not quoted here, about still feeding it through/people watching these forums etc, is good to hear too.
So thanks again Damian.
Oh, and call you a one trick pony...? Me...? Never.
*lol*
The change log doesn't do justice to the amount of work involved to deliver this release and the number of refinements...[/quote]
I think that statement alone, is hugely encouraging.
If not though, the rest of what you said, not quoted here, about still feeding it through/people watching these forums etc, is good to hear too.
So thanks again Damian.
Oh, and call you a one trick pony...? Me...? Never.
*lol*
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