In an interview with the Nokia Conversations blog, China Edition, Nokia's CEO, Stephen Elop, said that "software updates to Symbian devices are expected until at least 2016", and that there is " a long history still to be paved for Symbian in the future". While Nokia has previously made it clear that Symbian investment would continue, the 2016 date is a definitive statement and may be further in the future than some have anticipated.The portion relevant to Symbian is:
So we are in a period where the investment in Symbian absolutely continues. Even as we go through a transition to our primary smartphone platform, Windows Phone, you will see that continued investment and I know there have been questions about how long does that continue and we've now been very clear about that - that software updates to Symbian devices are expected until at least 2016. So there's a long history still to be paved for Symbian in the future.You can see this, in context, in the full transcript of the interview below.
Stephen Elop also reveals that he currently carrying the Nokia Oro as one of his multiple devices, but notes that he also carries competitor products to "make sure he knows what going on in the market".
Full transcript
Anna Shipley (Nokia Conversation China Edition):There is a Chinese saying that says 'the new broom sweeps clean'. You've been in your position now for six months and there has been a lot of change and renewal since then.Stephen Elop (CEO, Nokia):
That's right. It has been an exciting six months, we have had an opportunity to meet our customers, to engage with our consumers - to really learn what's going on within Nokia and around Nokia. As I think everyone knows at this point, on February 11th, we announced a whole series of strategic changes which were designed to strengthen out leadership, to really take us forward. Part of that change though is not just what we may do with product or organisation, but is very much about shifting our mindset to one of a challenger mindset, to reflect on the fact we have significant competition, we have to fight hard, we have to show intellectual curiosity, make sure we understand the competition... and of course everyone has got to be accountable, at the same time, for the results. So these are examples of behaviours that we are trying to change at the same time. Just another example I'll give you, is one of the pace at which we have to operate. We have to go faster and harder and more aggressively now, than we have ever gone before, because of the competition.Anna Shipley:
Innovation and developers are two key interests and areas of importance for you. What are we doing and what are you doing in China in particular, with those two topics?Stephen Elop:
Well, one of the key elements of our strategy, and this has been true at Nokia for some time, is that locally relevant applications are very important. There will always be those global applications that everybody likes to use all over the world, but we have focused for many years on providing locally relevant material, whether it's educational material, whether it things that help people in their business or whatever it is, things unique to that language or culture. Those are the type of things that really make a difference. So what we also have to do is create a great environment for the developers of applications, so that they can be effective. So for example, with the new plans around Windows Phone, we are making sure that there are the right developer tools and all the right incentives to help developers. Indeed with our online store, the applications for Windows Phone, Series 40 and Symbian, will all be collected together so we can get maximum exposure, as far as we possibly can, to help our developers.Anna Shipley:
So Windows Phone and Symbian are both hot topics, share with us where we are at with Symbian.Stephen Elop:
So we are in a period where the investment in Symbian absolutely continues. Even as we go through a transition to our primary smartphone platform, Windows Phone, you will see that continued investment and I know there have been questions about how long does that continue and we've now been very clear about that - that software updates to Symbian devices are expected until at least 2016. So there's a long history still to be paved for Symbian in the future.Anna Shipley:
So just to be really clear, that commitment means customer services, it means apps, it means services... it means all of the elements that our customers would currently expect.Stephen Elop:
That is correct.Anna Shipley:
At the end of April, as part of the ongoing strategy roll out and renewal, we announced that Nokia China would become a global hub for innovation. An exciting announcement, particularly for those of us who are based here in China, but what does that really mean and in particular what are the sort of things that are now going to happen in China, that we will see as a result of that announcement?Stephen Elop:
That was part of the announcements that we made in terms of the consolidation of our activities, what we described is that China would be one of the four principal R&D sites for Windows Phone and also that it is a very important site for the ongoing development of our mobile phones, if you like, the lower end devices that are popular in many parts of the world.Anna Shipley:
So as part of Nokia China becoming a global innovation hub we are on the look out for some new people. What are the sort of people we are wanting to join Nokia right now and what is the environment and culture like, that they would join?Stephen Elop:
That's a great question because where we find ourselves at Nokia is at an incredibly exciting time, where there are lots of challenges, where the market is changing, but there's so much opportunity and so the type of people for whom we are looking are those that want to come into an environment where great engineering is valued, where we care about people who are masters in their craft in engineering, in product development, hardware, software and so forth. Who want to be part of a company that is going to continue to change the world.Anna Shipley:
It is those type of people that we really want to attract into this company and now is a better time than ever to join Nokia because there is so much focus on building the next generation of products in a market here in China that is the largest for us in the world, but also building products that will be seen all around the world. And so if you are an engineer, a software development specialist, a testing person, any of those type of people, this is an environment where you can do some of your best work and also learn from a company that has a great deal of experience to help you advance in your career.
Final question, and it might be an easier question, but it might also be a hard question - it's one that people are always fascinated by, and that is which phones are you using right now?Stephen Elop:
Well first of all it it is not a singular question. I always have multiple phones. I always carry with a mix of our most recent products, even some products which are not out in the market place. But also competitor products, so I will always have a few competitor products to experiment with, to make sure I understand what's going on in the market. Today, here in China, one of the devices I'm very proud to carry is this beautiful device, which is the Oro - and this particular device is something we are very proud of because it brings some very fine materials together with a very proven platform - so it's something I'm using in-particular today.
Video of Stephen Elop interview
source
"This NFECore2, NOKIA firmware is used to modify the core package file. This file is the key to the firmware file is the file Size the general characteristics of the largest (except for a large language pack, the original is the largest), the most complex structure, the file name contains "core" "C00" and so forth. This tool is only allowed to deliver before the file information, but can not be modified. Since the number of 600 models were lucky to find and verify changes, the core package can modify the rofs partition.
We thank the TX. I was not sure who are those people, but according to the order of posting, is the Saipan xiaognef and OPDA model area of 600 leaves. Thank them for their willingness to share this strange technology.
On the basis of their work, this NFECore2, to NOKIA for all current models (Saipan 3, S60v5, S60v3fp2, S60v3fp1) complete the following modifications:
(1) unpack the core package ROFS1 partition file; (Note that only ROFS partition, there are other file is the core package can not be changed, so do not unpack)
(2) modify ROFS partition files and packaged;
(3) modify the firmware of the calibration parameters (see 600 models);
(4) Check ROFS partition size, if possible, can expand ROFS1 partition space;
(5) If necessary, the core package can be modified for any file CRC32 values.
Second, open the core package file
Start screen in "Open File" button to start a dialog box, select the core package file.
Drag and drop files directly to the window of a core package, but also open the core package file.
Note that the interface in the "Related" button, you can NFECore2 add Explorer context menu. This is more convenient to open the file.
Open the file later, NFECore2 will read out all relevant information. The upper part of the file's CRC32 CRC32 value and location of proposed changes. Displayed in the lower part including the file directory, ROFS partition the total capacity and remaining capacity. Figure
Third, pack unpack
No difference between this operation and NFE, after unpacking, editing ROFS directory, DIY, and then select the package you can, pack the files after the directory in NFECore2 Repack directory. Package can check the Chinese characters. And NFE of the most important difference is that if the capacity gauge package, will terminate immediately packaged, gives tips.
If you want to maintain the CRC32 value, click the "Keep CRC32" can be. Note, however, where maintaining CRC32, need to enter the 16 hex values. This position requires careful selection. Models are generally non-fp1 place in the 0x11. fp1 the difference between the position of aircraft is relatively large. Because E71 event, I suggest fp1 models do not choose to keep CRC32.
Note that the package before the first modified calibration, this calibration changes to be effective.
Fourth, change validation
Important, this change must verify the dialog press the "OK to return", do not fork out, it will mess reform. This is a newly discovered BUG.
This operation is to help the TX modification check. Please read the specific principles and leaves Saipan xiaognef posts. Figure:
Note that the general value of the original firmware is 2B, non-fp1 models can be changed to 2A. fp1 models into 2A may not, be changed to 2C. Other values have not tried. The consequences of mistakes in what I do not know, please tell us tried TX.
Specified, if it is N78, 5320 such models, as well as many original fp1 models need to be deleted to bypass some of the language in paragraph 5D check the package, or need to replace the head of the language pack to bypass validation, Please note that these language packs for "bypass" operation no longer have to check, and I do not recommend using previously been "bypassed" treatment of the language pack, but directly use the original firmware, language pack to DIY.
Anyway, keep in mind that, with 600 ways to modify the calibration model after the original firmware to make use of the language pack rofs2, 3 files to DIY. I produced a large language pack is also OK, but it must be sent to my files, modified might not be. Principle is rofs2, 3's head must remain consistent with the original.
Change the parity change in the source file directly, please do yourself a backup.
V., ROFS capacity adjustment (expansion)
There are some models and some versions of firmware, ROFS1 not used in some space, which is NOKIA keep spare, used to upgrade the core package ROFS1 reserved space. NFECore2 can check whether there is such a space, and can modify ROFS1 partition size to the maximum. This modification does not affect the rofs2, 3 files, they can still use. Expansion of operations at any time to give up. Expansion of operations to change in the source file directly, make your own backup. Figure
Reaffirmed:
1. Core package changes and there is great risk of brush than change the language many times greater risk of the package, be sure to carefully decide whether to amend. This tool may not be suitable for beginners.
2. S60v3Fp1 TX models do not use this tool to temporarily change the core package. fp1 models may need to continue using large language pack.
3. In the modified checksum expansion operation, NFECore firmware will check for problems. If you do not meet the characteristics of the original firmware file, to be safe, NFECore will cancel the operation.
4. The core package to do your own backup file, modify the checksum operation and expansion of operations directly modify the source files."