Another firmware update is here for the E71 and I can say that I won’t be installing it. After the previous update, it took me quite some time to get my phone back into a usable state. Since the E71 doesn’t have UDP, all personal data has to be restored to the E71 after an update. I do have all my information stored in Outlook, Google and Ovi, so restoring my handset would not be too complicated.

What is complicated is re-installing applications and themes. Why couldn’t the process be as simple as reinstalling iPhone apps (which are backed up in your iTunes) and definitely LESS cumbersome than re-installing a Windows installation. That is what the process feels like and it definitely doesn’t suit mobile culture. Smartphones are meant to be functional devices that enhance our day to day lives by letting us communicate with the world. Messaging, emails and txts are all functions of my phone that I use daily. The second my phone doesn’t function, I lose this connectivity. Updating my phone should not be as complex as this is.

I’m left to contact 3rd party application vendors anytime I update my phone in order to get my software re-activated. This is an unnecessary. Shouldn’t my IMEI and software key be enough?

Currently, my E71 is stable, very stable. I don’t feel like spending 2-3 hours restoring applications after installing this minor update.

I think I may actually wait until firmware 30.xx.xxx. Until then, my E71 will run on its older, stable firmware.

You can see one discussion about this firmware on e71fanatics.com.