I have read several firmware-related topics, as well as the unofficial manual at allabouter6.

Unfortunately, these all discuss the 9210 (+i). I have the 9290, and the firmware revision is
v3.35
27-02-02
RAB-3

At one of the "official" authorized retailers here in the US, (CompUsa) I get either the "HUH?" stare, or the "I-don't-know-what-the-hell-you-are-asking-but-let-me-educate-you-on-why-upgrading-doesn't-help" lecture, like I am some dumb end-user who should not ask questions.
(For the record, I HATE you people. ...that is all.)

Does anyone know if there is a difference in the 9290s and the 9210s firmware? (other than the obvious gsm 1900 vs. gsm 1800)

Most of the users on this site use the 9210. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any comparable community aimed at 9290 users.

The short answer is, yes, they are different. Apparently, the process is for a firmware release to go first to the 9210 and eventually trickle down to the 9290.

Frankly, I wouldn't expect any significant support for the 9290 in the states. It arrived "broken" with it's support for CSD and HSCSD(which no US carriers seem to support) and I don't believe it's had a very high adoption rate. The fact that no US carrier advertises supporting the phone is pretty damning. I'm on T-Mobile in California and they have not been able to get my voicemail working for 45 days and counting, because the phone is just not a priority for them. To Nokia's credit, their support has been solid, but they never lined up the wireless partners to make it a viable product.


FWIW,
MB

Maybe they're too busy with their hands in Microsoft's pockets.....

Allegedly ;)