You know how Microsoft and Apple occasionally offer updates or patches to their operating systems and other software? Well, phone manufacturers post updates to their phones' operating systems, too. We don't typically hear about it because the network operators control if and when operating platforms are updated. Nokia is looking to change that.The Nokia Software Updater application is a program that will enable people to update their own mobile device software without having to visit a retail outlet. Essentially, users can go to the Nokia support site, download the application, install it on their PC, hook up their phone, and see if it has any available updates. The application also will work over the air.

The Nokia site mentions that all user data--you know, the stuff you put in your phone like contacts, calendar appointments, wallpaper, ringtones, games, applications--will be wiped and needs to be backed up first. Depending on how much you customize your device, that could be a serious pain in the tail.

Available in more than 40 languages, the updater software is compatible with about 40 Nokia models, including the popular E Series and N Series.

The real benefit here could be to fix the plumbing if malicious jerks develop a bit of nasty code that takes advantage of some weakness on the Symbian operating system and wreaks havoc on mobile phones. If a weakness were to be exploited, in theory, Symbian developers could provide a fix to safeguard the devices. The fix could then be disseminated to Nokia phones via the updater software.