Firmware Updates in North America (NAM devices) - ...

Question

After reading the UK campaign for equality post - I thought I'd start one for us North American folks.
As a loyal (but now beginning to waver) owner of Nokia devices since 1998.. it's always been a sad state of affairs in terms of upgrades, and getting new devices, especially compared to the rest of the world, PERIOD.
While I realize that our phones may require a slightly different chipset because of the odd ball frequencies that our areas use - there is no sane or logical reason why we get shafted on model firmware updates otherwise.  While I do not have a hardware engineering degree - I cannot see why the primary functions of firmware updates cannot be easily ported over to the NAM versons of Nokia phones.
While a lot of you out there have valid complaints (like the UK) in release time - and do eventually get them.  We in the NAM market have been consistently.. well, screwed, is the only way that I can think of it.  I have consistently made it a point to buy Unlocked and unbranded devices DIRECTLY from Nokia USA so that I can have flexibility and know that I will eventyally, hopefully,get some sort of update.
With all the new N and E series devices that I have owned - N95-3, N85-3, E75-2, E65, N79 come to mind - we have been consistently, and systematically been delayed as candidates for firmware releases.  Example: N95-3 - The was launched as a FLAGSHIP device.  All OTHER versions of the N95 got and received a v30 upgrade - the n95-3 didn't even get it as a possibility until almost 7 months later!!! E75 - a lot of you got the v200 upgrade and things work perfectly - I should know - I have a friend who has a E75-1 handset, and we compare notes and see how sad and slow my device is! We're still on v110!  N85 - the same way, MONTHS later.  It goes on and on. 
I mean, if you're NOT going to support a device - that's fine - just TELL us upfront.  Don't tease us with versions of firmware for other practically identical devices - and then have your North American support counter parts completely clueless as to any news whatsoever.  If you're not going to support the product with firmware updates - just tell me, and I'll make my decisions to purchase, or not, accordingly.At least with other mobile manufacturers - I know there is a set steady time frame of support and so on. 
What's even worse than the tease with the other versions of firmware, is the NokiaUSA site itself.  You go there, and you see that OH - hey! There's apparently a new version of firmware available for my device on the 'pretty' pages that allow you to select your device.  *BUT* whenever you type in a NAM device code on the actual check page - it's never  available at the same time as the rest of the family of devices.  Heck, we're lucky if we are only 1 revision behind for most, if not all, devices!  If you're not going to give us the updates - then make sure your localized website doesn't even mention it! This false hope is  the worst wound of all!
And yes, I do realize that Nokia does not have the market share in the NAM market as it would like - but helping us 1st adopters to have wonderful working devices is probably your best form of advertising to people who've never even seen the devices before! I don't know how many of my friends and colleagues have bought Nokia devices because they see how well they CAN work as compared to what they are used to! You want market share? well, help us, to help you!
North American users please chime in and add kudos to this if you feel the same way!

Answer 1

Nokia Senior Managers,
I want to help you.  So do all the other customers on this site.  The 5800 is the best phone on the market, but it needs the updated firmware (v.4) in NAM as soon as poosible.
Other suggestions (places you are doing well and need help).
Doing well - maps (on-device with GPS is much much better solution than wireless network based only - MARKET this fact, where is the advertising??) and push e-mail.  You should make the push e-mail free for life on your smartphones, like you did with maps (then market along with free mapping).  This would eliminate Android and Blackberry given the technology and price point.
Need more work - ease of set-up, user interface, music, and apps.  All of these need to be improved to take on Apple.  It took two full days to set up my phone (before installing music).  That is way too long.  Everything is convoluted, like it was developed on Mars.  This could be one CD that comes with the phone and make everthing easy, or just pre-loaded so you can turn-on and go.  The touch screen user interface is ok, but could be much better (more homescreen choices, etc.)  Regarding music, don't try to sell, just make a simple pass-through that works well, leave selling (or sharing) music to others.  (maybe buy MediaMonkey and incorporate to have a good universal music management program)  Regarding apps, this is moving in the right direction, but you need to do more.  More apps, make them free, and partner like crazy with media companies, U.S. universities (who are developing for all other smartphones except Nokia through Blackboard, etc.), and any other company/organization that has a cool app.  This is the sizzle, which in the U.S. sells more than the steak.
Good luck and let us know if we can be of assistance.
Loyal Nokia 5800 User