Update: Generic UK ROM has been updated.
What? ‘Software Update’? Did you read it right?
The answer is YES! After much debate against Sony Ericsson for not releasing any patches or updates since the release of Xperia, we finally have an update coming our way. PavelX1 at XDA Forums is uploading all the new ROMs onto Rapidshare for us to download.
What changes, enhancements, and fixes does this R2 version of the software update include? That is a thing of mystery at the moment. But let’s hope that it is everything everyone hoped for and more!
To download or for more info, go here.
FYI – In case someone is wondering where PavelX1 is getting these updated files from; he reports that he is using EMMA which is an official SE service software for service centers.
Note: The update is also reported to be available via Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS).
Update List (Updated Feb 1): Here are some things that i have noticed so far with this update.
Note: Are you satisfied with the ROM update? Do you agree with all the points/improvements i have listed below? Head over here to cast your vote.
- The device now boots faster.
- Faster menus - switching tabs in settings is quicker.
- Programs launch quicker and file explorer is quick in loading folders.
- The Vodafone ROM update (not sure if others have this) includes a couple of other additional trial games including Bubble Bash, Block Breaker Deluxe, and Tetris Mania.
- Bluetooth Problem reported to be fixed. (I didn’t face any bluetooth problems with the old software and am not facing any now.)
- Wi-Fi bug fixed.
- Panel animation is a bit smoother but still laggy on switching from portrait to landscape and vice versa. Overall a faster panels experience.
- Video playback has improved a lot! CP benchmark on a video resulted in 90-92% on the old ROM and is now increased to 98%.
- Word prediction in most text-boxes.
- Media Panel improvements including; music indexing is a lot faster, image scrolling is almost as smooth as it should be, changing tracks show information about the track at the bottom of the screen, and most importantly it now only shows pictures from the My Pictures and Camera folders on the main and internal storage – say goodbye to all those images from program files and windows showing up.
- Camera improvements include faster focus lock and more stable focus. Preview is also smoother and introduces a new setting letting you define the frame rate to use for the video to shoot.
- Furthermore, I think they updated the 3D drivers too. TouchFlo 3D is running way smooth - especially the Pictures and Media tabs! (flicking through pictures and music is quick and smooth) + Slide2Play is performing much better with this new updated ROM; quicker and smoother movement in landscape, switches album/song images correctly on song change, and so on.
Here is the device information before and after the update:
Before
- Rom Version: 1.02.931.3
- Rom Date: 08/29/08
- Radio Version: 1.06.26.29
- Protocol Version: 52.43.25.24U
- Software Id: 1213-6450
- Software Version: R1AA017
- Customization ID: 1215-1832
- Customization Version: R15A
- Customization Variant: Genric_UK
After (Updated to Vodafone UK R2 ROM)
- Rom Version: 1.03.161.7
- Rom Date: 12/12/08
- Radio Version: 1.10.25.18
- Protocol Version: 52.56.25.29U
- ExtPkg Version: 1.0.1039.11446
- Software ID: 1213-2276
- Software Version: R2AA007
- Customization ID: 1215-0285
- Customization Version: R18A
- Customization Variant: VFE_UK
- Content Version: PA10
After (Updated to Generic UK R2 ROM)
- ROM Version: 1.03.931.8
- ROM Date: 12/21/08
- Software version: R2AA008
Comments
Oh yes... and some new Panels! Hopefully we'll see some panels hit their site soon... (Wishful thinking!)
1. I'm on an o2 contract, will the generic r2a work with my phone? or will it cause problems.
2. once i have the .rom what do i do to install it?
Before i say anything, let me first warn you that i am pretty much a noob myself - Xperia is my first-ever Windows Mobile device. So though i am about to give you my opinion, i ask you to proceed with caution. (this caution applies only to the first question you asked... ;)
1. In my opinion, installing the Generic UK ROM R2 release onto your previously O2 R1 ROM should cause no issues at all. you will simply need to configure your 3G/GPRS settings for your O2 network, other than that, it should function as it is - infact much better than the O2 ROM as operator specific ROMs contain a bunch of operator specific software and settings that tend to slow down things a little. I myself have been using the Vodafone UK ROM since the last few days with my Warid PK network!
2. To install... follow the procedure:
a. Download ROM Image from the links provided in the post.
b. If ZIP/RAR file then unzip/unrar file to your desired location.
c. Check the extension of the extracted file. If it is .image then change it to .nbh.
d. Rename the file to Kovsimg. So now the file-name with extension should be Kovsimg.nbh.
e. Connect your Xperia to your PC/Laptop.
f. Copy the Kovsimg.nbh file to your Xperia's MicroSD Card's root folder.
g. Shut Down Xperia.
h. First hold the volume down key and with that pressed, press the power button.
i. Keep both buttons pressed and Xperia will boot up into a screen with colored lines.
j. It will automatically detect your NBH file on the memory card. If prompted for confirmation to update, let it update. (Yes! you can release the buttons)
Best of Luck!
Rom Version: 1.02.931.3
Rom Date: 08/29/08
Radio Version: 1.06.26.29
Protocol Version: 52.43.25.24U
Software Id: 1213-6450
Software Version: R1AA017
Customization ID: 1215-1832
Customization Version: R15A
Customization Variant: Genric_UK
i went to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475482 but i dont know which file to download and i believe if/when i get the file iam supposed to do this:
"a. Download ROM Image from the links provided in the post.
b. If ZIP/RAR file then unzip/unrar file to your desired location.
c. Check the extension of the extracted file. If it is .image then change it to .nbh.
d. Rename the file to Kovsimg. So now the file-name with extension should be Kovsimg.nbh.
e. Connect your Xperia to your PC/Laptop.
f. Copy the Kovsimg.nbh file to your Xperia's MicroSD Card's root folder.
g. Shut Down Xperia.
h. First hold the volume down key and with that pressed, press the power button.
i. Keep both buttons pressed and Xperia will boot up into a screen with colored lines.
j. It will automatically detect your NBH file on the memory card. If prompted for confirmation to update, let it update. (Yes! you can release the buttons)"
.....yeah and for the record iam from Pakistan and use Warid Telecom(basically unlocked phones)....so if someone could kindly tell me the exact file to download and all...
P.S. will all my data (contacts, pictures, softwares etc) be deleted when i upgrade?
You have R1A version of the Generic UK ROM - i.e. the first version of the ROM. You need to download the Generic UK ROM R2A version. Here is the direct RapidShare link to that ROM: http://rapidshare.com/files/192115550/APP_SW_X1i_GENERIC_UK_KOV_R2A.rar
FYI - I am living in (Lahore) Pakistan too and have a Warid number. I used the Vodafone UK ROM before and after the Generic UK ROM became available, i flashed to that. So upgrade to this without worry.
ALSO... All data from the device will be wiped, including telephone numbers, SMS, and so on... (i.e. all data on the internal memory will be wiped out, the microSD card - if you have that inserted - won't be touched). You can easily backup all your telephone numbers using PIM Backup or HTC Backup (both free) to backup your contacts and other information. Or if you want to do a more extensive backup, then use a software such as SPB Backup or Resco Backup.
Best of luck!
Please help! Can I install this update and expect some improvement in function?
My device information is:
ROM version: 1.03.931.6
ROM date: 12/09/08
Radio version: 1.10.25.18
Protocol version: 52.56.25.29U
ExtPkg version: 1.0.64212.11423
Software Id: 1213-6450
Software version: R2AA006
Customization Id: 1215-1832
Customization V... R20A
Customization V... GENERIC_UK
Content Version PA10
I live in Croatia, I have some croatian letters on my phone(but I don't realy need them), my operator is VIP Hrvatska(Croatia).
Thanks !
Mesud Peco
Though you already seem to have the R2 release of the Generic ROM, you definitely have an earlier version of the ROM and not what is now released.
For example, i flashed to the Generic UK ROM earlier today and here is the comparison between your and my devices' information...
Your ROM Version: 1.03.931.6
My ROM Version: 1.03.931.8
Ur ROM Date: 12/09/08
My ROM Date: 12/21/08
Ur Software Version: R2AA006
My Software version: R2AA008
----
In light of that, i believe that you have a leaked or pre-release R2 version of the ROM flashed onto your Xperia. Thus you can definitely expect some further improvements on updating to the latest Generic UK ROM. Since your ROM seems to be a pre-release or a leaked one, it is most likely that it is not functioning even half as better as the final GenericUK ROM.
Best of luck!
i am great fan of your blog:) and xperia user too:) tried to plug in for seus but it stated that is already up to date and no update rom is available for now furthermore there are no options to countinue the installation(any idea how?)
my question is , if i downloaded the file to my phone does it necessary have to save in memory card instead of the phone itself? whats the diff? and where can i save the file if its in phone?
will be much appreciated if i can get your reply soon :) thanks in advanced !!!!
Thanks for the appreciation... hopefully i'll be contributing to the blog on a regular basis for as long as i have the Xperia.
Though i haven't tried updating via SEUS myself, but those who have run into the same problem as yours with SEUS (of it not identifying there to be a newer version), they have reported to have proceed anyways - i.e. tell SEUS to flash using the current version. This supposedly results in it flashing to the updated ROM.
I would however recommend downloading the ROM file yourself and flashing it onto your Xperia. Although i am not certain if placing the NBH file into the Internal memory would work, i don't see why it wouldn't either. My guess would be to place it in the Root of the internal storage.
If however it fails to pick up the ROM NBH from internal memory, and you don't have a MicroSD with you, then you can use the ROM Update Utility (RUU) to flash the new ROM onto your Xperia via your PC/Laptop.
Best of luck!
Thanks !
got everything in order! my next challenge would be install the 3d touch flo to the xperia , well, found the thread of yours on steps of installing the touch flo, hopefully it works !!!
Thanks again!
Nic
i am sorry for being a pain but as i told earlier i dunno jack***t about updatin, and i got the x1 as my graduation gift so i dun want to screw it up...:(
In regards to HardSPL... you don't need to worry about that since you are not using a custom ROM. And NO! You do not have to format the MicroSD card prior to copying the NBH file onto it or anything. Just put the NBH file into the root of the card and you should be good to go.
Best Regards.
Thankyou! Cheers!
Ironically I was having a problem where my data connection would not work, now it works fine.
How did you get it to connect ?
http://avaxhome.ws/software/Sony_ericsson_xperia_rom_collection.html
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Hank Hendricks is a sports man and has played for the University of New Hampshire Foot ball team.