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Sprint HTC Snap Can Do OTA Firmware Updates?

Posted on Monday, Jul 6, 2009 by Malatesta
 
Filed Under: News; Tags: sprint, Snap, s511, ota, htc, firmware

We've been pining for an over-the-air ability to update Windows Mobile firmware for quite some time now. From the introduction of Windows Update in WM6, which has never been used, to the promises of Windows Mobile 7, this feature has been on the cusp of being a reality for far too long.

Interestingly on the HTC Sprint Snap if you look under Settings --> Device Management, you can see a Firmware Update option that seems to actually be functioning. When launched there is "FUMO" in the title bar which stands for Firmware Update Managed Object as documented in the MSDN Center for Windows Mobile. Furthermore, it is checking in with a server, responding with "No firmware update is available" after a few seconds.

We know devices like the AT&T Epix can do these types of updates, but we haven't seen this feature from HTC,WM or Sprint yet (as far as we remember). 

Now the big question is will Sprint/HTC actually use this anytime in the future, perhaps for WM6.5 or just bug fixes? We bet on the latter due to the how the OTA system works.  Lets hope we can give it a go sometime.

 
 

Comments

I wonder if this is any different than the Windows Update function that they've been embedding in the settings panel?

Submitted by Cory S (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 16:51.

It is different. There is still a separate "Windows Update" icon located elsewhere. This seems to be a true method for updating that Sprint/HTC are planning to use.

Will be real interesting to see if the Sprint Touch Pro 2 has this as well--I bet it does.

Submitted by Malatesta on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 16:57.

If you look at the name of the leaked T-Mobile Dash 3G, it references "FOTA" test. Most of the future devices will probably be using the Image Update system that's been in all the WinMo devices since WM5 but not used.

Submitted by Nishanth S (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 17:47.

Nishanth is correct. WM6.5 uses "image updating" which does not affect anything on the phone, it can even do individual file updating if required. Very impressive stuff!!

The wonderful Da_G at XDA is working on this stuff right now :-)

Submitted by Glen (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 19:14.

As am I :D

Submitted by Nishanth S (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 19:29.

Why does my new HTC Snap not allow the creation of word, excel, and power point files in the windows office application? I feel I have been ripped off again by Sprint (together with Nextel)

Submitted by Kyle (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 19:20.

Kyle:

You have WinMo Standard, which allows you to view. WinMo Pro allows you to view and edit office docs.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 06:51.

LOL @ FUMO on the title bar. "FUMO" is Spanish for "I smoke".

Submitted by CeluGeek on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 11:17.

Of the 4 Windows Mobile phones I've owned, never once did Windows Update ever find an update.

Why is it even there?

Submitted by Jaymoon on Sun, 09/13/2009 - 01:26.

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