The update can be classified as a minor Nokia-specific software update, and is delivered on top of Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh (also known as "Tango"), the version of the platform that all Nokia Lumia 900 have shipped with to date.
The flip to silence feature means that, for incoming calls, the ringing tone is silenced when you flip over the phone. The call will still be active, so, if you wish, you can still answer the incoming call. Flip-to-silence was a feature first seen on Nokia's Symbian devices, but was first seen in Windows Phone devices on a HTC device. It was added to a number of Nokia Windows Phone earlier this summer, and is now available across the range (Lumia 610, 710, 800 and 900).
The performance improvements include enhancements to the camera, battery life and start up sequence. Nokia Conversations notes that the update increases the reliability of direct camera unlock function (holding down the camera shutter button when the phone is locked will open the camera app).
The update brings US and Canadian versions of the Nokia Lumia 900 in line with the global variant of the Nokia Lumia 900, which already includes support for flip-to-silence and most of the performance enhancements. This is because the global version of the Nokia Lumia 900 started shipping after the US and Canadian version and was therefore able to ship with a more recent version of the firmware. The time gap between this (June) and the availability of this update (mid-August) is a good example of the time lag introduced when updating in-place device. This is usually due to operator certification and testing requirements.
Users will be automatically notified when the update is available for their device. The update can be installed using Zune (Windows) or the Windows Phone 7 Connector (Mac).
Change log
Nokia Lumia 900 (US):
- Flip-to-silence feature
- Camera performance enhancements
- Battery performance enhancements
- Startup sequence performance enhancements
Nokia Lumia 900 (Canada):
- Flip-to-silence feature
- Support for Contacts Share app, to send and receive business cards as text messages
- Proximity sensor performance enhancements
- Removes purple hue which affected some phones in low-light conditions
- Startup sequence performance enhancements
- Camera performance enhancements