Your Nokia N78 is packed with some of the latest mobile phone features and software, from Wi-Fi connectivity and HSDPA high-speed 3G to A-GPS satellite navigation capability and Symbian S60 smartphone capability.

But it doesn't stop when you get the phone out of the box. Nokia regularly introduces software updates that users can download online and install on their handsets, which can add new features, improve existing functions, fix bugs, improve battery life and so on.

The latest updates can be found on the support and software sections of Nokia's website. You can select your handset model and check if there are any updates available to the current version of software installed on your phone (you can type *#0000# in standby mode to get the software version onscreen). Updates can be downloaded quickly and easily using Nokia Software Updater software on a PC and your phone's supplied USB cable.

But on the Nokia N78, you can also update software over the air directly to the phone. It's easy to do, and you could end up with a significant improvement in your phone's performance.

We describe how to do it below. You can check for updates and download using a mobile network data connection, or you could do it via a Wi-Fi by selecting a WLAN connection point on your N85. Be aware that if you're using a mobile network connection, unless you have an inclusive data deal you could end up with additional data charges for download software updates.

Also, it's important that before installing a software upgrade you make sure that all the data on your phone, contents and contacts have been backed up to a PC or on to a memory card. You can use the in-box Nokia Nseries PC Suite software and USB cable to synchronise and back up these with your PC.

Updating software

1. Press the Menu button (Figure 1).
2. Scroll to highlight Tools (Figure 2). Press Open.
3. Scroll to highlight Utilities (Figure 3). Press Open.
4. Scroll to highlight Device Manager (Figure 4). Press Open.
5. You will see details of the phone's current software version and date (Figure 5). You can normally check for the latest software version online at Nokia's support and software section. To check directly from the phone, press Options.
6. Highlight Check for updates (Figure 6). Press Select.
7. A message appears asking if you want to connect to the internet (Figure 7). Press Yes.
8. You can now select which access point you want to use. You can choose a mobile network or a WLAN connection. You can use a WLAN connection to avoid any potential mobile data costs and to get quicker downloads (Figure 8).
9. Highlight the WLAN or mobile network you want to use (Figure 9). Press Select.
10. The phone now connects to the Nokia server and shows whether any updates are available (Figure 10).
11. If an update is available, press Accept to download the update. The software update starts downloading (Figure 11).
12. A message appears asking if you want to install the software update (Figure 12). Press Now if you want to install it.
13. A message appears reminding you to backup your phone's data before installing the software (Figure 13). Press Accept if you want to proceed (if you haven't yet backed up your phone, press cancel and do so before installing the software update later).
14. A message appears telling you that the phone can't be used during the update and that the phone will restart (Figure 14). Press Accept.
15. The phone will start updating. In a few minutes, the phone restarts and a message appears: Phone updates: Update complete. Press OK. Your update has been completed and the phone is ready for use again with the latest version of software installed.
16. Reinstall any files or contacts you have backed up.

If you enjoyed Warner Brothers' animated adventure Happy Feet, add the little penguin to your Nokia N78 with this cheerful theme.

To install and change the theme on your Nokia N78, follow these quick instructions:

1. Download the file HappyFeet_n78.sis to your PC or Mac by clicking on the link below
2. Then use the supplied USB cable or set up a Bluetooth connection to transfer the theme file across to your Nokia N78 handset
3. You will them be prompted that a new theme has been received. Click on Install to install the theme
4. If you want to change the theme back simply go to the main menu, click on Settings then Themes then choose the theme you want to change to

Download the Happy Feet theme for the Nokia N78 (755KB)

If you are faced with the error message 'Expired Ceritificate!' when attempting to install the new theme, follow the instructions here on how to fix expired certificate errors on the Nokia N78.

Other Nokia N78 articles:
Nokia N78 review
Connect your Nokia N78 to a wireless network
Plan a route using Maps on the Nokia N78

When installing some themes or software to your Nokia N78, you'll see the dramatic message "Expired certificate!". This is because security measures within the Series 60 operating system only let you install themes which are less than six months old.

But all is not lost, and that great theme can be yours after all. You just have to move the date on your N78 back a year, install the theme, then change the date back to normal.

To change the date on your Nokia N78, follow these instructions:

• Click on the Menu button, highlight Tools and click the centre selection key (the 'OK' key)
• Highlight Settings and click the OK key     
• Highlight General and click the OK key     
• Highlight Date and time and click the OK key
• Highlight the date and click the OK key
• Use the Right navigation key to highlight the year. To change the year back one year, press the Down navigation key once
• Press the red End key to return to standby mode.

Now install your new theme. If you still see the Expired certificate error, change the year back another year and try installing again.

When it's installed, follow the instructions again, setting the year back to the present by highlighting the year and pressing the Up navigation key once.

The Nokia N78 can connect to the internet using a wireless network (WLAN) connection as well as a standard mobile web link. You can hop onto any WLAN connection - even protected ones as long as you know the password - and browse the web, send and receive email and use the phone's Maps application at high speed and without paying a penny to your mobile network provider.

Connecting to a WLAN via Active standby
If Active Standby is activated on your Nokia N78, your WLAN connection status is always visible from standby mode. The bottom line of the screen shows your WLAN status. If there are no wireless networks in the area, you'll see the message 'No WLAN network found'. If you're near a WLAN that you're not connected to, you'll see the message 'WLAN name found'.

To log on to this network, simply highlight the WLAN status line (Figure 1) and press the centre selection key. You'll see three options:

• Start Web browsing
• Search for WLAN
• Switch WLAN scan off.

Joining an open network
If you know that the WLAN the N78 has detected is an open, unprotected network (and needs no passcode to access), simply highlight Start Web browsing and press the centre selection key to go to your Bookmarks page and start browsing the web.

Joining a protected network
If the WLAN is protected, you'll need to enter a passcode to begin browsing. First highlight Start Web browsing and press the centre selection key. You'll be prompted to enter a 'WEP key for WLAN' (Figure 2). This is the  passcode that your or a network administrator applied to the wireless router when it was set up.

Some WLAN configuration tools will set up WEP security on your wirless router using an easy-to-remember password, but the N78 needs you to enter the hexadecimal equivalent. If you're not sure what this is but you know the router's password, go to WEPKEY.com, enter the password into the top field, click Generate keys and the hexadecimal equivalent will appear below. Enter the first 64bit key into the field and click OK. If the code is corrects you'll be taken to the Bookmarks page and you can start browsing the web. If not, you'll see the message 'Invalid WEP key' and the blank field will reappear. Try the second passcode listed on WEPKEY.com and so on.

Searching for other networks
The Nokia N78 will usually detect the WLAN with the strongest signal. If that's not the network you want to connect to, highlight  'WLAN name' found and click the centre selection key. Highlight Search for WLAN and click Select. A list of detectable WLANs will appear. Highlight the one you want to connect to and click Connect to join, entering the passcode if necessary. Again, you'll be taken to the  Bookmarks page and  can start browsing the web.

WLAN authorisation icon
You only have to enter a passcode into the N78 once. You'll know that you're authorised to use a particular WLAN because a round icon like that next to 'mat' in Figure 3 will appear next to its name.

WLAN wizard
You can also connect to wireless networks using the WLAN wizard. To find this, open the main menu, click on Tools and scroll down and left to highlight WLAN wiz. (Figure 5). Press the centre selection key to open the wizard.

The WLAN wizard opens to show you the active WLANs in the area (Figure 6). To access a network, highlight its name, click on Options and select Start Web browsing. Enter the hexadecimal passcode if required, press OK and your ready to start browsing the web

You can pick up messages and send them from your phone if you use a POP3 email account such as a web based email or email provided by your Internet Service Provider. You can do this on a regular basis or just occasionally, but the procedure involved in setting up an account on the phone is just the same.

If you have any difficulty configuring all the necessary settings on your phone, you can look up Nokia’s online setup service at https://nokiags.wdsglobal.com/advanced?siteLanguageId=118, which provides standardised settings for many of Nokias phones and can automatically configure your phone via text message. You will need to supply some details about your Internet Service Provider and network operator when you do this.

Set up your mailbox
Tap the Nokia Menu Key and choose Message. Scroll down to Mailbox and click. You will be told ‘no mailbox defined. Define now?’ Choose Yes.

A wizard starts which walks you through the process. First choose Start with the left selection key. Choose your mailbox type using the scroll key and clicking to ensure the correct one is selected with a dot to the left of its name. If you have webmail or an email address from your Internet service provider, choose POP3. Click Next.

Type in your email address. Use the star key to pull up a symbols list so you can choose the ‘@’ symbol and the 1 key for the dot. Choose Next.

Enter your incoming mail server then choose Next and your outgoing mail server then choose Next. Now choose your ‘access point’. The choices will depend on which operator you are using at the time and you may need to ask your operator for the right information. You can get the phone to ask you every time if that might be useful. Make your selection then choose Next.

Now give this mailbox a name. Make it meaningful, something like ‘Yahoo email’ if your email provider is Yahoo, for example. When this has been entered choose Finish and you will be told ‘Mailbox setup complete. Settings can be viewed and edited in e-mail settings’. Click OK.

Personalise the settings
Now you need to tell the Nokia N73 how to behave when it is picking up and creating email.

When viewing the messaging main screen scroll to the mailbox you just set up and click it to open it. Now choose Options then E-mail settings. From here there are several sets of settings to make.

- Choose User settings.

• In the space under My name type your own name. This will be used to identify you instead of your email address when the recipient device supports that.
• Under Send Messages click the scroll key to choose between sending messages immediately they are created or at the next manual connection
• Under Send copy to self click the scroll key to choose between copying yourself in to all emails sent or not
• Under Include Signature click the scroll key to choose whether you want to include a pre-defined signature on all emails. If you choose yes, you are asked to define the signature now.
• Under New email alerts click the scroll key to choose whether you want the N73 to tell you when new email has arrived. This is useful if you have chosen to retrieve emails automatically – see ‘automatic retrieval’ below.

- Choose Retrieval settings.

• This is where you tell the phone how much of each email to retrieve. You might want to retrieve less if you think you will end up spending a lot on connection time. The choices are; to retrieve headers only, to set a size limit on downloads, or to retrieve messages and their attachments.

- Choose Automatic Retrieval.

• If you need to get your email regularly then you can set up the phone to pick up messages at regular intervals. Choose Disabled if you want to pick up email manually

- Choose Connection settings.

• Here you can change any of the basic email settings such as incoming and outgoing email servers and can give the phone your login password

Check out our Internet Settings page here

Top Nokia N78 articles

1. How to plan a route using the Nokia N78
2. Nokia N78 review

The Maps application on the Nokia N78 allows you to plan a route between two locations, as it draws up a step-by-step itinerary or route map for you to follow.

Using voice commands just as a dedicated GPS system would, the application will also link up with the N78's GPS tool to guide you from your present position to your destination.

Start by making sure that you're connected to the internet via your mobile network provider.

Planning the route
From standby mode, highlight the Maps icon and click the centre selection key, or click the main menu button, highlight the Maps icon and click the centre selection key.

The GPS system will try and pinpoint your location around the globe. To by-pass the animated graphic, click Skip. The GPS will keep looking in the background.

Your location (or in the case of no GPS signal, your most recent location) will appear on a map on the screen.

If at this point you see a message reading 'No Internet connection. Please check your network settings', follow the instructions in the section Maps Network Settings, below.

To begin planning a route, click Options, highlight Plan route and click Select.

You now have to enter a Starting point and Destination for your route. To select a Starting point, highlight the top line and click the central selection key.

You have six choices (Figure 1).

• GPS position - Calculates your current position and installs that as your Starting point
• Landmark - Lets you assign one of your preset Landmarks (favourite locations) as your Starting point
• Recent - Remembers five recent locations and lets you choose one as your Starting point
• From map - Transfers you to the visual map. Using the navigation keys, move the cursor around the map, zooming in with the * key and out with the # key. When the cursor is over your starting point, press Select
• Address (Figure 2) - Enter the Number, Street, City, Post Code or Country of your Starting point into the fields provided, click Options and Search, and Maps will locate its full address. Highlight the preferred location on the results page and click Select to set that as your Starting point
• From guide - You can purchase a range of city guides to download to your Nokia N78. Highlight From guide and click Select, then use the navigation key to tab between Nearest guides (a selection of local guides), all Guides (guides for a selection of countries) and My guides (guides you've purchased). To buy a guide, highlight its title, click Options, highlight Purchase and click Yes to confirm the purchase. When it has downloaded, you'll be prompted to accept the licence agreement and taken online to confirm payment. You can then select a point of interest from a City guide as your Starting point.

Once confirmed, your Starting point will appear in the first line on the Route planner page. Now you need to select a Destination. To do this, highlight Destination and click the central selection key.This offers the same options as the Starting point menu, apart from GPS position (which would be really good if it could detect where you wanted to go!).

When you've selected your destination so that it appears in the Destination section of the Route planner page, you're ready to set your route parameters (Figure 3). Click Options, highlight Settings and click Select. Under the Routing tab, you'll see six options - Transport mode (by car or on foot), Route selection (shortest or fastest), Motorway, Tunnel, Ferry and Toll road (all four of which are yes/no options).

To change any setting, highlight the option, click Options, highlight Change and click Select to see the available options. Highlight your chosen option using the Up and Down navigation keys and click OK to confirm.

Click the right navigation key to see the General settings tab. This lets you set the System of measurement (metric or imperial), Backlight (on or off) and a Language for voice guidance.

When you've chosen your settings, click Back to return to your start and destination points.

To have Maps work out the recommended route, click Options, highlight Show route, click Select and the Route planner will calculate your route (Figure 4).

The resulting itinerary (Figure 5) will be displayed by default as a step-by-step guide, telling you when to turn, and onto which road.

You can also view a graphical representation of the route by highlighting any instruction and clicking the centre selection key, or by clicking Select from the itinerary, highlighting Show on map and clicking Select. Press the Up navigation key to go to the next junction and press the Down nav key to go back a step. Helpfully, the map rotates so that it's always pointing in your direction of travel.

There's also a route simulation (Figure 6), which animates your route and gives voice instructions of the 'turn left' and 'second at the roundabout' variety. The animation is timed according to recommended speeds on the roads. To see this, click Options from the itinerary or Show on map window, highlight Start simulation and click Select. Pressing 0 toggles between flat 2D maps and a 3D view, and you can zoom   in with the * key and zoom out with the # key.

GPS navigation
If you have a GPS signal, your N78's Maps application can guide you from point to point. It works just like the route simulation, with voice commands and clear visual instructions, though it offers instructions based on your movements in real-time, giving you instructions as you need them.

To activate GPS navigation, click Options, highlight Start navigation and click Select.

GPS tracking
Maps can also be set to track your position on a road. Unlike the GPS navigation, this doesn't call out instructions, it just shows you where you are at that particular time. It's useful if you get lost and need to compare your current position in relation to the planned route.

To activate GPS tracking, click Options, highlight Start tracking and click Select.

Maps Networks Settings
If you see the message  'No Internet connection. Please check your network settings' when you start up Maps (similar to Figure 7), you need to assign a network to the application.

• To do this, click Options, highlight Settings and click Select.
• On the Settings screen (Figure 8), highlight Network and press the centre selection key
• When the Network page opens, highlight Default access point and press the centre selection key (Figure 9)
• A list of available networks will appear (both wireless WLAN networks and mobile web connections). Highlight the connection you want to use and click OK to see it in the Default access point field (Figure 10)
• Back to Planning the route, above

Top Nokia N78 articles

1. Nokia N78 review

It may be a world leader in mobile phone design, but Nokia isn't above taking some tips from the competition and putting its own spin on them.

Take the latest N-series 'multimedia computer' for example. The Nokia N78 is an extremely sleek looking handset with a keypad that at first glance resembles the touch-sensitive minimalism of LG's Chocolate series, with illuminated symbols shining out from behind a flush black fascia.

But the similarity ends there, because in use it turns out that you have to physically depress the edges of the plastic fascia to access the buttons underneath. It certainly lacks the wow factor of the touch sensitive option, but, actually, it works very well indeed, and is more accurate and less prone to accidental pushes than most touch pads.

Another familiar touch is the Nokia N78's square D-pad which features a touch-sensitive Navi-wheel‚ run your thumb around the edge and it will move the cursor around the screen, skipping through the menus with ease. It might not look like an iPod scroll wheel, but it behaves exactly like one. And like Apple's innovation, the best thing about it is that it works intuitively and extremely well.

The numeric part of the N78's keypad is another matter however. Four thin strips of raised plastic underline the minimalist look (as well as the numbers) but you'll need pinpoint precision from your thumb to get the most out of it, which kind of takes the fun out of texting.

A final design nod comes with the dedicated applications button next to the D-pad. This takes you to a virtual page-style menu which you can then flick through with the N78's Navi-wheel - not unlike the scrolling system of album covers on the iPod Touch.

Sat nav and camera
The Nokia N78 comes with a built-in assisted GPS transmitter which will not only tell you where you are, but with the Nokia Maps feature (plus a goodly selection of world maps included on the supplied 2GB microSD card) you can use it to plan routes and get info about landmarks. Voice navigation is also available though you'll need to pay an upgrade fee after the first three months.

Cleverly, the A-GPS will automatically add location metadata to any photographs you take, otherwise known as geo-tagging, which will be included when you upload the pics to Nokia's Share On Ovi online sharing service or indeed any other sharing site such as Flickr, YouTube or Facebook.

The dedicated shutter button on the side gets you into camera mode in a couple of seconds and the 3.2 megapixel snapper with Carl Zeiss lens takes a perfectly good picture - sharp and clear with pretty good colour tone - plus there's plenty of settings to play with. The LED flash works rather better than the average camphone photo light but you'll still need to be close to your subject to get the most out of it. The N-series editing suite is all present and correct offering effects, text, cropping and pic rotation as well as red eye reduction.

Music player
The N-series music player has been a consistent winner for Nokia, and this one has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. It displays cover art if available and scrolling through the menus is made easy with that iPod-style Navi-wheel. There's an FM transmitter that allows you to beam your music to your car radio, iTrip style, and Nokia's class-leading FM radio is included as is a new internet radio service, with access to several hundred stations around the world. Best to use it with Wi-Fi though, if you don't want to run up some obscene data charges.

The supplied headphones are okay but fortunately there's also a 3.5mm jack plug so you can add your own. The stereo speakers meanwhile are on either side and at opposite ends of the handset, which looks a bit strange, but the theory is that by keeping the speakers as far apart as possible the stereo image will be enhanced. The sound is certainly better than most phone speakers, though of course a bit light on bass.

There's 70MB of memory onboard, and incidentally that 2GB microSD card comes preloaded with ten so-hip-it-hurts tracks from the likes of Matthew Corbett, Sarah Howells and the James Taylor Quartet.

Performance
We didn't have many problems with the Nokia N78 and generally found it a delight to use but there were a couple of niggles. For one thing, the keypad, while never looking anything less than gorgeous, is rather fiddly to use. Pressing the bars rather than the numbers requires pinpoint dexterity - those with builder's thumbs need not apply.

Also, the need to press right at the edge of the handset to hit the call end and cancel buttons (if you're holding the phone in your right hand) makes the handset awkward to hold and we dropped it more than once (sorry Nokia - it seems pretty sturdy though).

And while we're complaining, the N78 doesn't appear to have fixed the well-established Symbian issue of running slowly when you've got several apps open. It's easy enough to shut down any apps that might be running in the background by using the applications button but still, why should we have to?

But these minor carps aside, the N78's a lovely phone to use. Especially the N-series‚ speedy zoom-assisted browser which allows you to switch between landscape and portrait modes while using a fast 3.6Mbps HSDPA connection. And if that's not nippy enough, you can also connect to broadband via Wi-Fi.

Battery life was respectable rather than stellar, giving us a little over three days with moderate use.

Nokia may well have been inspired by its competitors for some of the best bits of the N78 but it's integrated them beautifully into an eye-catching handset that combines good looks with a wealth of practical and genuinely useful features.