Hello,

I'm interested in jumping on the 770 bandwagon but I've got a couple of questions.

1 - If I buy the current version at CompUSA with OS 2005 where can I download the OS 2006 beta version, and is this recommended before it is finalized?

2 - If I do download the beta will the final release overwrite everything on the unit with a clean install?

3 - Is there a timeframe for the final version?

Thanks
Jeff

I got my 770 in Dec and haven't put it down. So:

1.) www.maemo.org will allow downloading of the 2006 OS. Whether you want to install it is up to you. It handles browser crashes nicer (ie not bringing down the whole OS) but is still flakey in a lot of ways. I went to 2006 the day it was released and won't go back. I'll just wait for the actual release.

2.) Yes, the OS upgrades are straight images. A bit of a pain but smart on Nokia's part since while the hardware is identical, the configurations are different. Easier to assure the upgrade works.

3.) Nobody knows.

You wrote:

1 - If I buy the current version at CompUSA with OS 2005 where can I download the OS 2006 beta version, and is this recommended before it is finalized?

2006 is cool, but remember one thing: Until Nokia comes out with a patcher for PC or Mac, the only way to reFlash your device after installing 2006 Beta is to install Linux on your PC and use the flasher under Linux. Currently, once you install Beta, there is no way to go back to an older version or even re-install the 2006 Beta because the flasher won't work anymore after that until Nokia provides an updated flasher that will flash over the top of the 2006 Beta on PC. So you're stuck with it until then. Be careful.

2 - If I do download the beta will the final release overwrite everything on the unit with a clean install?

Yes, everything will be overwritten. Make a Backup on your MMC card first.

3 - Is there a timeframe for the final version?

2nd Quarter of 2006 we were told... it's already that.... so who knows, right? At least 2-4 more months given an fair amount of time to be in Beta (receiving bug reports and the like) before implementing the final version. But Beta is mostly just for the developers to use to make their ports and updates from Maemo 1.1

The flashing can be done with a Linux Live CD like Knoppix (boot/run from CD without touching the harddrive) but it still requires a modicum of Linux knowledge and familiarity with the command line to flash/re-flash.

Personally I wouldn't recommend flashing the 2006 beta for a casual user. 2005 works fine as-is; you may not get all the fun features right this instant, but the 2006 release version will be here fairly shortly I'd wager.

I tried the beta, liked it but wasn't overwhelmed with joy and then reflashed 2005 on mine and will only upgrade some time after the release version is out.

I use 2006 release and I'm very happy with it.
It's happenned the 770 reboot alone, but, not very often.
WIFI is more stable, application manager is very well.
I wait the final release, but I keep beta release.