What is in the Update (other than the Toys)

[Lobalobo]

Lots of posts on how to download the Nexus One update before the OTA option (scheduled for the end of the week) and lots of posts on the joys of Multi-Touch. Then there's Native Google Goggles and an updated maps feature. I understand the interest in each of these, but personally I'm willing to wait a week for the OTA installation, don't care at all about Multi-Touch (as it doesn't strike me as that difficult to hold down a "+" or "-" icon with a single touch), don't care about Google Goggles (because I don't understand the purpose other than to say, "cool," which I'm sure it is), and think that the beta Google Maps works just fine.

I'm more interested in what else the update might include. Improving 3G connectivity and speed (sometimes mentioned) strikes me as important, but is there anything else? Native support for Calendars in Microsoft Exchange would be great, for example. Bluetooth voice dial would be great too, as would an option to use Bluetooth and Wifi simultaneously. So would control over the hard switches, allowing answering the phone by pressing the top, volume, or scroll control, e.g. (Also, though admittedly in the toy category, better native control over the camera would be good too--allowing a screen tap to snap the photo or an in-camera saturation control.) Any of these included? Anything else?

 

[t0ph0id]

Nexus One | News and Updates

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

New Software Update for Nexus One phones


Starting today, Nexus One users will begin to receive an over-the-air software update on their phones. This update provides some great new features, and fixes a few problems that some users might have experienced, including:

Google Goggles: this mobile application will now be available directly on your device by launching it from your All Apps menu. Just use your Nexus One camera to start searching the web

Google Maps: the Maps application with be updated to a new version, Google Maps 3.4, which will include:

• Starred items synchronized with maps.google.com - access your favorite places from your phone or computer
• Search suggestions from your personal maps.google.com history - makes it easy to search for places you've searched for before
• Night mode in Google Maps Navigation - automatically changes your screen at night for easier viewing and driving

Pinch-to-zoom functionality: devices will now include a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone's Browser, Gallery and Maps applications


3G connectivity: we will provide a general fix to help improve 3G connectivity on some Nexus One phones

In order to access the update, you will receive a message on your phone's notification bar. Just download the update, wait for it to install, and you should be all set. This update will be rolled out gradually to phones - and most users might not receive the notification until the end of the week. We hope you enjoy these new features and look forward to your feedback.

 

[iPhoneMilk]

I've already update and it has not fixed the 3G issue one bit.

I don't even live out in the country i live in DC.

and my 3G bars are still floating on 1-2 bars, then it hops back to edge.

 

[zillah]

I've already update and it has not fixed the 3G issue one bit.

I don't even live out in the country i live in DC.

and my 3G bars are still floating on 1-2 bars, then it hops back to edge.

I think it is just T-mo. I am at work and have slightly the same issue even though it stays in 3G but goes from full to 2 bars sporadically and frequently. The speed test shows that it is slightly faster than edge though, highest I capped out at was around 512k download but hovers around 256 to 400k which is obviously piss poor for 3G. For some reason my upload speeds consistently hit 1MB. Must be where I am sitting in the building. I had blazing speeds though at home with full bars the whole time. I am gonna do a speed test when I get home just to make sure.

I don't know what it was like before the update because I turned on my new phone right when the update came. Regardless, it is nice to have the potential to have a zippy internet connection, even with wi-fi around me the whole time, I prefer not to bother. Both wi-fi and 3G drain the battery. I use edge most of the time and switch to 3G if I really need it.

 

[Fastmhz]

I've already update and it has not fixed the 3G issue one bit.

I don't even live out in the country i live in DC.

and my 3G bars are still floating on 1-2 bars, then it hops back to edge.

It's interesting that you mentioned that. I use to have spotty 3G issues as well but now it's solid 3G. Also, I have NOT updated my phone. I'm waiting for it to come in as a notification. I'm just interested seeing how it works.

 

[cxm]

I might be losing the plot, but it feels like the soft buttons at the bottom of the screen are now more accurate - don't need to always press just above the icons to make them work.

 

[iPhoneMilk]

Wow dude you're right! i feel like they are more accurate.

 

[nexusuk]

If you are in the UK, the update gives you a new "Maps" version but saldy still without turn by turn navigation.

 

[LansdowneMike]

I live in an area where Tmo is Ok but not great, and with the update I'm getting 3G with 3 or 4 bars 90% of the time rather than 20% before the update. Love it. Also finding pinch & zoom far more useful in browser than I thought it would be after playing with it for a while.