A leaked firmware update for the Nexus One, carrying a build number of ERE36B, has been posted over at xda-developers.com. Whilst not yet ready for over-the-air distribution the software contains improved radio firmware, evidence that Google is still working on fixing issues with Nexus One 3G performance.
The software actually contains an earlier version of Google Maps, indicating that the update is still in development, but the new radio firmware has been reported to improve 3G performance by forum members who have been brave enough to install it. The leaked ROM was posted without a change-log, but a comparison with the current build reveals that it includes the following changes:
- New Framework
- Applications : HtcCopyright.apk , Mms.apk, Vending.apk (Messaging app and Market)
- Binary files : applypatch , debuggerd, NOTICE.html.gz
- Libs : libaudio.so, libhtc_ril.so, libril.so (Radio and Audio libs)
- New Radio
Judging by feedback on the forum the new radio firmware seems to have a positive impact on 3G performance:
WOW. I was one of the people with the signal issues being a problem when holding the phone. this new radio seems to have fixed the issue, 4 bars on my desk, and i only loose 1 bar when i pick it up. awesome, this is how it should have been all along! I cant wait to see signal at home.
just installed the radio on Cyan’s 5.0 beta 4 and booted up with no problems at all. 3G is holding pretty well in my Apt where i didn’t get 3G the greatest before so so far the new radio is a winner to me.
There is a improvement on this radio. I was having problems with the other two and 3G service. Right after flashing this one i got 3G in my apt where i have never got 3G before. So this radio is for sure to me better then the others.
So for Nexus One customers still experiencing problems with the device’s 3G performance it would seem that there is a firmware fix in the works from Google. If you’re comfortable with flashing the leaked radio image onto your phone then you can grab the update . Otherwise you can wait for an official over-the air-update from Google which we’re likely to see once a release version of the software has been finalised.
