Simply put, Firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device. If you own a Nokia mobile phone, you can check the firmware of your cell phone.
Simply type the text *#0000# into your mobile phone and see what happens… What I get when type this text in my Nokia phone is
—————-
Nokia 6030
V y3.41
22-07-05
RM-74
(c) Nokia
—————-
The first line shows the model number of your nokia phone. A simple way to find the phone model if you dont remember its number anymore.
The second line V y3.41 shows the version of the firmware. This is the software on which your mobile runs. Occasionally Nokia releases firmware updates for certain phone models. If you are experiencing trouble with your phone that appears to be firmware related, contact your local Nokia Care service center for professional support to see if an update is available and if it is covered by warranty. If you constantly get errors, your phone hangs etc, maybe you might benefit from an upgrade if available. But firmware upgrades come with a warning, that they might not always work! So be sure what you are doing.
The third line signifies 22-07-05 is the date of the software release and RM-74 is the model type (not sure). And the last stands for copyright Nokia.
So if you like upgrading your software often to keep the latest, or your mobile firmware is giving problems, check the firmware and try it out on your Nokia mobile.