Nokia device owners no longer are required to send in their devices to a Nokia service center to have their ROM flashed. If your phone is supported make sure you follow the specific directions to successfully update your phone to the latest firmware.
As a member of the Nokia Nseries Blogger Relations program I have had the opportunity to evaluate a few Nokia devices in the past 8 months. The Nokia N70 I was evaluating was a unit that was beta tested by Nokia employees and it turns out I had an older ROM on the device. To get the ROM flashed I had to send it in to a Nokia service center, in Houston I think, and let them flash it and then send it back to me. This process takes a bit of time and if that particular device is the only one you use then you can't really be without it for a week or two. I was pleased to read on All About Symbian that Nokia launched an online S60 Phone Software Update website that lets you update your own firmware. There are currently only 7 phone models included in the program, the N70, N72, 6131, 6630, 6680, 6681, and 6682. I understand Nokia's reluctance to provide this service to the public because many people try these things without following the specific instructions and end up bricking their devices and then calling Nokia for service. I personally flash the ROMs on my devices all the time and think it is a simple process if you follow the directions. Hopefully more devices will be included in this program, especially some of the newer S60 3rd Edition devices like my E61.
