Google announces 4.1, but what does it mean?

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Posted by Andrew Tran on Thursday, June 28, 2012

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Google announces 4.1, but what does it mean?

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28

Big announcement from Google overnight with the release of Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ to developers, but what does it mean and how does it affect future devices?

Faster, Smoother, More Responsive

For starters, Google says that Android 4.1 has been optimised to deliver the best Android performance and reduce lag time with an intuitive UI (User Interface).

That means graphics will run smoother, the touch capability will be more instinctive and they’ve added a prettier user interface.

Accessibility

Android 4.1 also gives users greater accessibility on your mobile device. The new APIs allow the device to handle gesture control (i.e. wave in front of the device or speak to it).

Another great thing about the Android 4.1 update is that the APIs allow application developers to adopt these enhancements in their product build, improving the user experience.

Some of the other main additions and enhancements to Android 4.1 include:

Bi-Directional Text and Other Language Support
Expandable notifications
Resizable app widgets
Simplified task navigation
Higher-resolution contact photos

For the full list, head over to Android 4.1 for Developers page.

When will Android 4.1 be available to your current smartphone?

At this point, it’s has only just been released to developers and Google has yet to announce any release schedules.

Keep your eye on Kieran’s weekly software posts, published every Wednesday, and we’ll keep you updated as we hear more.

In the meantime we recommend reading Kieran’s articles that explain the software update journey.

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Source: Android 4.1 for Developers

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Recent Comments

28 Responses to “ Google announces 4.1, but what does it mean? ”

rocco says:

I’d like to know what it means for devices less than 18 months old.
Customers who have purchased devices in the last 18 months may never receive ICS 4.03 or if 4.03 is delivered, may never receive 4.04, nevermind Jellybean.

The fragmentation of Android, the slow release of updates is making a mockery of the platform.
Reply
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 11:50 am
- Andrew Tran says:
  
  Hi Rocco,
  
  Thanks for the comment. Regarding your question, as you may know major updates in general do require some core hardware specifications to work effectively that earlier devices may not have. Without some of these core hardware specs on the device, the update will not work properly and decrease the performance of the device.
  
  In addition, there’s is also the manufacturer’s decision to take on that update and customise it with their own user interface. This in itself can take large amount of resources including build and testing involved.
  
  Kieran’s software journey articles actually gives a accurate representation of the process so i defiantly recommend taking time to read his articles.
  
  Cheers
  
  AT
  Reply
  Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 12:06 pm
rocco says:

Hi AT,

Google have advised that their 18 month old GED device, the Motorola Xoom Wifi will receive Jellybean in July, the old HTC Desire has community development for ICS.

Most hardware of the top tier models contain 512MB -1GB Ram 1ghz single and dual core processors and enough onboard storage to allow Jellybean to run well.

It’s a throw away society I guess, and hardware manufacturers are keen to sell the next model.

Disappointing nonetheless.
Reply
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Pete says:

Google\Android have announced the release schedule on Google+:

https://plus.google.com/104629412415657030658/posts/CP6q7Dok3t7

“Want to get your hands on Android 4.1, Jelly Bean? Starting in mid-July, we’ll begin rolling out over-the-air updates to Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Xoom and Nexus S, and we’ll also release Jelly Bean to open source. “
Reply
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 12:21 pm
- Andrew Tran says:
  
  Hey Pete,
  
  Thanks for sharing, this is based on US release information, Google Australia has yet to release any information from their end.
  
  Cheers
  
  AT
  Reply
  Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 12:38 pm
rocco says:

I might add, that the manufacturers could give us the option of a plain vanilla Android OS so that they do not need to put the development time in to skin and modify a later OS. This way we can keep up with bug fixes, security and performance patches.

ie. Samsung Galaxy S2 owners get a plain 4.04 and then Jellybean platform without the samsung extras. That way it’s minimal work on behalf of Samsung and keeps loyal customers happy.
Reply
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 1:07 pm
jay says:

When will we expect to receive this update??

and which hardware requirements recomend to imply this update??

Thnx
Reply
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Dean Argiropoulos says:

@Jay
Google said that this update will be released for the Motorola Xoom, Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus some time next month… But who knows when they’ll sent in to Vodafone.
Reply
Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:06 am
t2dc says:

This is why I’ll only ever go nexus. 99% all of Android phone buyers do not even care about updates. If you really care about Android you should only ever get a nexus phone. It’s a shame that the vodafone nexus phones won’t get the update straight away. This is why I flashed across to the Yakju build.

Re updates in general. My og iPad is just over 2 years old and won’t be getting iOS6. Oh well…
Reply
Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 11:14 pm
yanuar says:

I don’t know how to complain,make a call to many time to wait n my English not good just a little. Asking vodafone why 3 still sent me a bill, told me call 133320. the first time Voda employee said only once only three charge you to close account at three but now 3 sent it again.
Reply
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 12:06 pm
- Vodafone Australia says:
  
  Hi yanuar,
  
  I can help with any issues you might have moving your service from 3 to Vodafone. We have a great article on our website here http://support.vodafone.com.au/articles/FAQ/Moving-from-3-to-Vodafone that explains what to expect when you transfer your number over. 3 will send you a final bill but you should only receive this bill once.
  
  I want to get this sorted with you – we have a board on our Community just for people like you you have made the change from 3 to Vodafone here: http://community.vodafone.com.au/t5/Welcome-to-Vodafone/bd-p/welcometovodafone If you post in our Community we will be able to work with you and resolve the issues you’re having.
  
  Thanks,
  Kirsty.
  Reply
  Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 10:30 am
Brendan says:

We’ll be fortunate to see this update rolled out to us consumers this year i reckon.
So there’s no point asking when the update will get pushed to us, enjoy the ICS we got not even 3 months ago now
Reply
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Eddy says:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/android-4-1-jelly-bean-now-available-galaxy-nexus-google/

Any ideas if Voda AU has received the update and is in ‘testing’ for their version of the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus?
Reply
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm
- Vodafone Australia says:
  
  Hey Eddy,
  
  We would love to help you further. If you would like to contact us via Facebook, Twitter or The Community we would be more than happy to help you further.
  
  Thank you,
  BP.
  Reply
  Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 9:15 am
- Kieran McIlwain says:
  
  Hi Eddy, if you check out the latest Software Update Weekly Wrap you’ll see that Samsung are currently preparing the update to provide to us.
  Reply
  Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 11:27 am
  - Nathan says:
    
    just a quick question, what does Samsung have to prepare on the update for the galaxy nexus? i thought Google released it ready for nexus devices?
    Reply
    Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 11:12 am
    - Kieran McIlwain says:
      
      Hi Nathan, settings such as our network configuration is pre-configured in the GALAXY Nexus and requires some modification by the manufacturer before passing it onto us, and in turn our customers.
      Reply
      Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Ash says:

I’d like to know if this update will be made available for the HTC Sensation XE?
Reply
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Terry Wang says:

When am I supposed to get Jelly Bean on my Nexus S?

The Android 4.0.4 ICS OTA musts contain some specific information related to Vodafone and prevents me from getting the Google official Jelly Bean OTA, so annoying.

Is there an ETA on Jelly Bean OTA from Vodafone? Otherwise I’ll have to flush to the generic Jelly Bean image myself. Can’t be happier to get rid of Vodafail!!!
Reply
Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 12:12 pm
- Kieran McIlwain says:
  
  Hi Terry, the latest information regarding this update will be posted to our blog as it comes to hand.
  Reply
  Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 12:22 pm
michael says:

Whats really going on with JB update for Nexus S, you lie about emergency call regulations issues and then give no explanation as to why the rollout was really halted.
Reply
Friday, July 27, 2012 at 5:58 pm
- Kieran McIlwain says:
  
  Hi Michael, we’ll let you know when Jelly Bean is available. Please stay tuned.
  Reply
  Monday, July 30, 2012 at 9:18 am
  - Rameshkumar says:
    
    Hi Kieran, Any updates on the Jelly Bean?
    Reply
    Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 10:56 am
    - Kieran McIlwain says:
      
      Hi Rameshkumar, when there’s news we’ll let you know.
      Reply
      Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 10:57 am
      - Anand Hamid says:
        
        They’ll let you know after probably around 1 year when there’s another update out..
        
        Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm
- mintSlice says:
  
  I’m not sure that ‘lie’ is a reasonable term, but it did seem a little strange that Vodafone removed the page without explanation. Maybe Vodafone might like to explain why the page was removed.
  
  More importantly, I’ve stopped seeing any ‘emergency only’ type network connections since the upgrade to 4.0.x on my Nexus S, so this doesn’t seem to be a really great reason to stop the update. It wasn’t working in ICS, so it shouldn’t be a reason to stop the update to JB. It is however something that VF should be fixing for both JB and ICS, it’s just not a good reason for stopping the update.
  
  (OMG, Australian Nexus S users were going to be the first in the world with JB and Vodafone made us a laughing stock instead. Why would you do that?)
  Reply
  Monday, August 6, 2012 at 9:39 am
Anand Hamid says:

The world has Jelly Beans and vodafone is still freaking testing….lazy.. Damn, give us the update and start testing your network for god sake
Reply
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 6:32 pm
- Kieran McIlwain says:
  
  Hi Anand, we’ve received some more news from Samsung which can be found in this blog post. Once we receive the update from Samsung we will begin testing as a priority.
  Reply
  Friday, October 12, 2012 at 11:13 am

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