Software update: 3.A.0066.20201119

[rae]

Hi everyone ,

Our latest software update for Fairphone 3 and Fairphone 3+ users is now available.

Software Version: 8901.3.A.0066.20201119
Security Patch Level: 5th of November, 2020

The main improvements and fixes are listed below:

• Fixed an issue that was causing users (under certain conditions), to experience more echo than normal on VoIP phone calls when in speaker mode
• Fixed an issue that was causing the Google Search Bar not to be correctly displayed on the home screen when using Gestures.
• Fixed an issue that was causing poor audio quality when using the in-app equalizers (mostly affecting audio reproducing apps like Spotify or YouTube Music).
• Fixed a minor issue that was causing the Twitter app to stop working after a few minutes under certain conditions.
• VoWiFi registration stability has been improved for the networks for which Fairphone 3 supports this feature.
• The camera auto-focus feature for video recording has been improved.
• Fixed a minor issue that was sometimes causing the device, powered off, showing 1% of the battery charge when being charged, regardless of the actual state of the battery charge.
• The network compatibility for several carriers has been enhanced.

Please note:

Together with our partners, we test the software before its release, and in some instances where a software update might result in some problems for users on a specific network or in a specific country, we prefer to delay the software release for that specific customer base and fix all the potential issues before making the software available to everyone.

That means that depending on your network provider, some Fairphone 3 users may receive this update later. Once the update is available you’ll receive a push notification to automatically update.

[BertG]

@rae

That means that depending on your network provider, some Fairphone 3 users may receive this update later. Once the update is available you’ll receive a push notification to automatically update.

Just for clarification:
If you don’t receive that update: WAIT for it to be pushed to you!
If you want to have that update anyways and try some workaround by inserting another SIM temporarily etc., you might run into trouble. Any harm and bugs coming your way, by doing so, are on your own.

[amoun]

@rae

Together with our partners, we test the software before its release, and in some instances where a software update might result in some problems for users on a specific network or in a specific country, we prefer to delay the software release for that specific customer base and fix all the potential issues before making the software available to everyone.

It would be nice to know which ‘instances’ of … networks you do and don’t roll out to and when rather than have to wait around not knowing if the update will ever arrive

[BertG]

Since I am not involved in that process in any way, I can just guess.
There might be way to many combinations of countries and networks to list them all and most likely they are trying to overcome all obstacles as soon as possible. But giving a date or timeline will most likely be wild guessing and only lead to more frustration, when delays occur.

And from the posting-part, that you cited, I would draw the conclusion, that testin has not even been completed; making any timeline even more playing the lottery.

[frank-bxl]

Hi @rae,
thank you for the good news!
Just to give a positive feed back (among all the complaints… ): I installed the incremental update (round about 75 MB) and all was easy going (first (re)boot takes a few seconds more, setting up the new system… be patient).

[amoun]

@BertG

You may well be correct, however it’s not possible to hold back the updates from some operators if you don’t know who they are, so there must be an existing list of both those it has been sent to and those it hasn’t.

The alternative is to send to all services and see which have problems, which makes more sense. They feedback will provide info on how the update needs to be changes for individual service providers.

Hope i don’t sound insensitive and i don’t expect my concerns to be taken into account, it would just be nice to know where i am in the heirarchy of consumers.

Got it Software update: 3.A.0066

[StevenHachel]

Please also take note of this bug list.
The obsolete camera software is also a point.

Steven

[gyldenro]

Finally i got an update until yesterday (my FP3+ was still on 3.A.0033 - July 5th) - now i can’t enable wifi calling (prefer wifi) the option is no longer available - i used to be able to preferer mobile or wifi for wifi-calling. For me this is a huge issue - because in my house i can roam between 3-4 different cell towers. With prefer wifi - no roaming.

Anyone seing the same issue and have found a workaround ?

On the positive side i have not seen a spontanious reboot since i manually rebooted it this morning to se if it helped (dit not)

[greyowl]

Could you quote the build numbers when referring to an update. It’s difficult to know what the ‘latest’ update means.

[DeepSea]

@rae

VoWiFi registration stability has been improved for the networks for which Fairphone 3 supports this feature.

Reverse reading: Maybe the FP3 does not support VoWiFi for some networks anymore due to recent incompatibilities/difficulties?

[gyldenro]

I have just tested in flight mode with wifi enabled - and VoWiFi actually works also om my carrier - but i can’t set the preference for using wifi over mobile anymore.

[amoun]

@ gyldenro

I had the same issue on earlier update. The problem seemed to be that my carrier didn’t connect without me having to use the sim card for the carrier to recognise me and send me update their related info.

So I get the wifi calling now only when there is a connection, there is no visible option if wifi isn’t on, and I usually have to restart the phone if the wifi connection is lost.

I don’t have this new update, so my experience is a bit dated (5th Oct)

[DeepSea]

@amoun

The problem seemed to be that my carrier didn’t connect without me having to use the sim card for the carrier to recognise me and send me update their related info.

Good point. Maybe it helps to call carrier support and ask them to send their specific carrier configuration for the FP3+ again.

[amoun]

@gyldenro

I have just tested in flight mode with wifi enabled - and VoWiFi actually works also om my carrier - but i can’t set the preference for using wifi over mobile anymore.

Apologies I didn’t read your post properly.
“but i can’t set the preference for using wifi over mobile anymore.”
Yes I had to toggle to flight mode too

[amoun]

Just received notification that update is available. This is on EE in the UK so will see how it goes.

UPDATE 1: Carrier name is fixed, it used to say Virgin, now says EE

UPDATE 2: I don’t have to restart the phone to use wifi calling if the wifi signal is lost and then found. Notable as I consume off grid from batteries so switching off router and ONT multiple times a day.

UPDATE 3: Hands~free is still very rough in both directions, maybe less echo/feedback
@rae “Fixed an issue that was causing users (under certain conditions), to experience more echo than normal on VoIP phone calls when in speaker mode”

I should point out that the UPDATE 3: issue is with the FP3+ and using wifi calling, maybe the FP3 has more suitable mic and speakers ??

UPDATE 3a: @rae It seems that when using hands-free/speaker phone there is an amplitude modulator that increases the volume when sound is low, where there’s a pause in conversation for example and then cannot compensate quickly enough when speech begins and it is too loud and tends to distort. (using wifi calling by the way)

[Vasco_Lenzi]

Hi guys, yesterday I installed the latest update on my FP3, build number 8901.3.A.0066.20201119
I woke up to a basically empty battery (I don’t plug it in during the night). Power consumpetion seems to have spiked up from 1.2%/hour with screen off (91% of the time in deep sleep) to ~2%/hr (again with ~90% time in deep sleep).

I didn’t install any app. Did someone else noticed an increase in energy consumption in deep state/screen off?
Since I updated as well app from google play store I’m trying to pin down who could be the culprit.
Thanks

[aljoscha]

Fixed an issue that was causing the Google Search Bar not to be correctly displayed on the home screen when using Gestures.

Sadly, this is not fixed. Previously, when I switched to gestures, the search bar would be not be displayed correctly after a few minutes. After updating yesterday it worked fine, but this morning, it would again overlap with the lower icons.

[DeepSea]

Could you post a screenshot, please? Thanks in advance.

[Vasco_Lenzi]

@aljoscha

Fixed an issue that was causing the Google Search Bar not to be correctly displayed on the home screen when using Gestures.

Sadly, this is not fixed. Previously, when I switched to gestures, the search bar would be not be displayed correctly after a few minutes. After updating yesterday it worked fine, but this morning, it would again overlap with the lower icons.

this has been fixed for me

[RMW]

After updating my apps, I checked for a software update and was quite surprised that an update was available, b/c I didn’t get any notice! Installation of the update went w/o any problems, but you may want to revise the notification process for my provider (Telekom.de).
THX anyway, I really appreciate the frequent security updates, a stark contrast to Samsung (security patch level of my Tab S3: 03/01/2020).