Android Jelly Bean •

HTC One Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update to Arrive Soon

September 27, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

HTC One has been the most popular smartphones of the year after Samsung Galaxy S4. Truly, the HTC One has helped in resurrecting the HTC brand. Out of nowhere the HTC One has turned into a competitive brand. HTC One has been so successful that the Taiwanese giant is considering the launch of HTC variants like HTC One Mini and HTC One Max.

The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update was officially announced in the month of July. Still many of the leading smartphones including the HTC One are yet to receive the update. In August, HTC’s President Jason Mackenzie had addressed to HTC One and HTC Droid DNA users in US that instead of rolling out Android 4.2 update for their handsets, they will be offering Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update in the month of September. So, the time has come to fulfill the promise.

Now September will be coming to an end soon but it seems HTC will be offering the Android 4.3 update for the said handsets sooner. Quite contrary to before, the Taiwanese tech giant has been quite fast in releasing updates this year. The HTC One X+ and the HTC One X have been updated with Android 4.2 and HTC Sense 5. Also, the company has also offered Android 4.2 update for HTC One. Even the HTC Butterfly has received Android 4.2 update along with the new HTC Sense 5.

The update that we spoke above was for HTC devices that are launched outside US. Hence, HTC has promised to roll out the said updates for HTC One and Droid DNA very soon. HTC Droid DNA is the US version of HTC Butterfly. It was through Twitter that HTC President had promised that they will be offering Android 4.3 update for HTC One and Android 4.3 with HTC Sense 5 for HTC Droid DNA.

When someone questioned HTC President on Twitter that will the Android 4.3 update for HTC One will be out by the end of Sept, Mackenzie answered that he will be sending detailed information about the update at the start of the following week for all the SKUs. This means users using HTC One on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are likely to get concrete information in the coming week.

As mentioned before, the Droid DNA will be getting Android 4.2 with HTC Sense 5. However, when someone questioned whether the chances of updating Droid DNA with Android 4.3, Mackenzie only responded ‘good’ and did not elaborate on it. So, at least we can expect that the Droid DNA is going to get the Android 4.3. However, we feel that it may not happen very soon.

We hope that at least the best ever smartphone from the Taiwanese tech giant, the HTC One does get the much needed update. It is only in the coming week that we will be able to get more information for you. Well, we all know that Android 4.4 KitKat is going to arrive soon. We hope that HTC One and other popular phones do get the Android 4.4 update within this year.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update in October

September 20, 2013 By Troy Rubenson 1 Comment

Samsung Galaxy S3 which arrived in May 2012 came with Android v4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. At the time of its release, Samsung had announced that the phone would get the 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update and it did receive some time later. However, till now Galaxy S3 has not received Android 4.2 Jelly Bean but is going to be blessed with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Rumors have it that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will get the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean upgrade in October. We hope the update is soon made available for Galaxy S3. At the beginning of this year, rumors about Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 were doing rounds that these smartphones would receive Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update. However, Samsung did not offer the updates citing that Android 4.2 updates had issues and the Korean giant preferred to give it a skip to make way for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Samsung has not confirmed about the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for Galaxy S3 but the company stated that Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will be receiving new updates in October. Samsung explained that the new update would allow users of these devices to easily pair up with Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

In order to pair up Samsung Galaxy Gear with Galaxy smartphones mentioned in this post, a Bluetooth connection needs to be established. Android 4.3 Jelly Bean comes with Bluetooth Low Energy feature which is required for connecting Galaxy Gear with Galaxy smartphones. This clearly indicates that Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is the update Samsung is hinting at which is to arrive in October.

Moreover, the above mentioned rumor is doubled with various leaks from different tech blogs that posted about Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. We have got a leaked photo that shows a Galaxy S3 running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The model number of the Galaxy S3 variant in the image is GT-I9300.

The possible reason why Samsung has not yet announced the Android 4.3 release for Galaxy S3 is that still the software may be in its testing phase. However, all the rumors point to the fact that Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Galaxy S3 will be released in the near future. However, we do not have the exact date yet.

If the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean arrives as speculated sometime in the month of October, it is likely that around the same time Google will launch a new Android update i.e. Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade. As of now, we are not sure whether Galaxy S3 will get Android 4.4 KitKat. However, Android 4.4 KitKat is supposed to support older devices. So, even if the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat is to come, it will definitely not arrive this year.

HTC One X to Get Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update, Will This Rumor Ever Come True?

September 13, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

Will the HTC One X ever receive the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and the HTC Sense 5 UI update? When HTC One X was rolled out, the device was running on Android v4.0 ICS operating system. Gradually, the v4.1 Jelly Bean was made available for the HTC One X but since then the handset has been waiting to get the next upgrade version.

The HTC One X came out at time when the smartphone world was ruled by the likes of Galaxy S3, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. A French based network service provider called SFR has already announced the arrival of Android 4.2.2 update along with HTC Sense 5 for HTC One X. The new update brings the BlinkFeed feature on to the older HTC One X. SFR is rolling out the update from today. To get the update, SFR users in France simply need to check for new updates and the update will automatically show up.

The HTC One X was announced on Feb 2012 and the handset was finally released on May 2012. It sports a 4.7inch display which supports a display resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. The phone was made available in two storage variants, namely 16GB and 32GB. The HTC One X is powered with quad-core 1.5GHz processor along with 1GB RAM and ULP GeForce GPU.

HTC One X’s 8MP camera is capable of recording 1080p HD videos at 24fps. At front, there is a 1.3MP camera. The other features of the HTC One X include stereo FM, aGPS, Beats Audio, TV-out, and a powerful non-removable Li-Po 1800 mAh battery.

AT&T has again shown slowness in rolling out the Android 4.2.2 update for HTC One X. It was slow in releasing the Android v4.1 update. In fact, till now AT&T has not given out any information on releasing the update for the HTC One X. So AT&T powered HTC One X’s users are still confused whether the update will come to their handsets or not.

Vodafone which is also selling the HTC One X has shown promptness in making the update available on their network. Vodafone HTC One X users will not only get Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update but also it will be blessed with HTC Sense 5.5 UI.

By the way, it is too late for HTC One X to receive the Android 4.2.2 update. By now, it should have been waiting for Android 4.3 update because the official release of Android v4.4 is around the corner. Some experts feel that the Android 4.2.2 will be the last update available for HTC One X and it won’t get Android v4.3 or v4.4

How long you had to wait to get the Android v4.1 update? Some had to wait quite long and this is the reason many are actually not expecting for the Android 4.2.2 to arrive soon though it is in the news like never before. On the web, some websites are offering leaked Android 4.3 build. We do not recommend you to go for it unless your carrier offers official update for your HTC One X.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Android Jelly Bean Update Brings New X Reality Features

September 7, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is still fresh in the market but is already receiving its first update, and that too a major one at that. The Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 14.1.B.1.510 firmware update is supposed to bring in a host of new exciting features to the device which surely will make what is already a great package all the more spectacular. No doubt the upgrade will be coming with some really cool features that will definitely set a benchmark for other devices on the run.

Among the new features to look forward to include enhancements to the camera that adds a superior auto mode to the camera settings, better quality video along with the inclusion of new widgets for frequently required features such as the Clock, Alarm Clock, and Calculator all of which does freshens things up. These apart, there also is a refreshed messaging app and White background user interface to look forward to post the update.

These apart, user will also be able to go for one handed text inputs thanks to the update, something that is quite desirable for a device that is just about an inch or so shy of being designated a full fledged tablet device. Also, in what can be considered to be a fabulous feature that the update promises to bring along is X Reality. The X Reality is nothing more but a HD update that will bring a new meaning to images by providing the best clarity, depth and color. The concept has so far been confined to Sony TVs and is the first time being included in a smartphone. If you are already grimacing at the prospect of the above messing up the battery times, well Sony is promising the update is also designed to actually improve the backup times.

Android jelly bean update not surprisingly is quite a heavy one, weighing as it is at 770 MB and is to be downloaded via the Sony PC Companion software. Curiously, Sony remained mum on the Android 4.3 update for the Xperia Z Ultra. Meanwhile, the update is currently available in some Asian countries but is sure to reach other regions of the world soon.

Google Announces Its Going to Be Android Kit Kat After Android Jelly Bean

September 4, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

Google has lined up something exciting as a follow up to the Jelly Bean – Android Kit Kat which promises to be yet another lip smacking Android version coming our way. This marks a surprising development though as its Android 5.0 Key Lim Pie that everyone thought will be the follow up version after the current Jelly Bean. Also, it’s going to be Android 4.4 which makes us wonder if it’s going to be a significant upgrade over the current Android 4.3 or just an incremental upgrade just as Android 4.3 is over Android 4.2.2.

What is surprising is the manner Google has even gone on to install a replica of Android Kit Kat inside its campus, a ritual it has been following with every version of Android released so far. The decision to go for Kit Kat and not Key Lime Pie has been taken after taking into account the fact that not many are familiar with Key Lime Pie and hence is not likely to draw as much appeal as Kit Kat will be able to. Not a bad idea for a platform that grown in popularity all around the globe and has already seen more than a 100 billion Android device activations worldwide.

Fortunately, Google has done the home work with patent issues while using the Kit Kat logo and all. We will be spared another legal dispute after having seen quite a few everyone-suing-everyone sort of scenario for the better part of 2012. Also, the deal is unlike any other in that it does not involve any monetary transaction. It will still make for a win-win situation for both Android and Kit Kat given the tremendous fan following that each brand enjoys.

However, there is no word yet as to when the Kit Kat will be released or what it will have to offer.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Maintenance Update For Sony Xperia SL, Xperia S and Xperia Acro S

August 27, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

Here is some good news that owners of the Xperia SL, Xperia S and Xperia Acro S can look forward to. It’s all about a new Android Jelly Bean version 4.1 firmware update that Sony has come up with. However, with the above mentioned smartphones already running the particular Android version, the latest update deals with bug fixes as well as performance and maintenance issues.

The latest update brings with it some improved hardware functions which includes long press of the home button in order to launch Google Now. Similarly, a double press will launch the most recent applications. The volume ‘up’ button too will be fully responsive post the update.

Among the other improvements that the update promises to bring along include a more stable connection to 2G data networks, better battery times as well as more efficient heat dispersion. The update also allows for a more accurate depiction of the state of the battery, which is quite handy particularly when the battery is low on juice.

These apart, the update also eases out 1080p video recording and ensures that the third party app preference remain intact even after a reboot. The update also improves the white balance of the camera along with the functionality of the Quick Launch key.

Overall, these changes aren’t something too exciting or life changing, but are still welcome as it addresses a lot of issues that have been bothering users of these smartphones. The update is being made available over the air but specific release dates over a particular region could depend on the concerned network operator.

Meanwhile, an update to the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean no doubt would have been far more exciting. Sony though has ruled out the update at least for the time being though an earlier leak has mentioned the said update is being worked out for the Xperia S and Xperia SL.

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Galaxy S3, Note 2 Cancelled for Android 4.3

August 26, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

Samsung has cancelled the roll out of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS update for its Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 devices. The South Korean giant is learned to be waiting for the next update of the operating system by Google for the two devices.

GottaBeMobile.com writes the Australian carrier Telstra has intimated users of both the devices the latest OS update has been withdrawn and awaited for the next new version – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

German carrier Telekom also informed its customers about the same.

Samsung has not confirmed anything about the next software upgrade for Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. GottaBeMobile.com stated, “Samsung had delayed the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 updates again and because of that, it would likely be moving on to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean instead.”

One report recently claimed the OS update for these two flagship devices of Samsung will be delayed as there are some issues with the new TouchWiz. Meanwhile, the official website of Telstra writes, “Samsung have elected globally to skip the 4.2.2 update for this device and will instead go to a newer version of Android. No schedule has been provided for this update.”

SamMobile writes the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Wi-Fi has received the update in United Kingdom and it is made available through an Over-the-Air update as well as Samsung Kies. Earlier the device was equipped with Android 4.1 OS. Once again the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 have been beaten by a less adopted device in matters of OS update. Owners of the two devices are a little frustrated. As of now both the devices are running on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.

HTC One Developer Edition Android 4.2.2 Jely Bean Update Skipped for Android 4.3

August 26, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

The HTC One Developer Edition will be updated straight to Android 4.3 jelly bean from the current Android 4.1 that it runs. The revelation to this effect has been made by the President for Global Sales at HTC, Mr. Jason Mackenzie. This is unlike the strategy adopted by HTC with the standard HTC One device which was provided with the Android 4.2.2 update and is pending the jump to the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The reason that Mackenzie cited for the above move is that Android 4.3 is closer and that Android 4.2.2 offered limited customer benefits.

However, the HTC executive failed to commit to a firm release date and the best that he could offer is an expected release period before the end of September. Mackenzie has also stated they are looking to upgrade all versions of the HTC One sold in the US to Android 4.3 before September end. Mackenzie though has a word of caution stating the launch dates could change due to unforeseen reasons. Meanwhile, those opting to buy the Verizon version of the HTC flagship smartphone though can consider lucky in that the carrier will be offering the device running Android 4.2.2. All HTC One now on sale in the US via various carriers now run Android 4.2.1.

The HTC One Developer Edition shares the same basic tech layout as the standard smartphone version except that the former comes with an unlocked bootloader along with 64 GB of internal storage. The handset is sold in the US be HTC itself and is available in SIM free state. It is primarily aimed at the developer community who wish to develop custom ROMs for the device. The price though is a hefty $649.99.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update on Samsung Galaxy Nexus Surfaces New Problems

August 21, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

Nexus users still continue to complain about issues with the Android 4.3 jelly bean Operating System. They say that the device cannot reconnect well when using Wi-Fi. Google’s new software has been causing problems for Samsung Galaxy Nexus users, since the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean seems to be having too many bugs. The OS causes the battery to drain much faster, the screen locks up as the device is booting, and the device has issues with Bluetooth connectivity. Here is a breakdown of the problems that this device is facing due to this OS.

The upgrade to Android 4.3 was considered to be minor, but it did come with some new applications. Netflix is one of the new applications, and whenever someone tries to use the application, the device freezes up, forcing to the user to hard reset the device. The two companies, Google and Netflix, are working on a patch that will fix this issue. They have not, however, told Nexus owners when to expect the patch, so they will have to do without Netflix for a while.

The image gallery of the OS has lost some of its features. The most prominent is the Auto-rotate feature which no longer works and one cannot take a photo from portrait view into landscape view. If one uses the photo-sphere feature, the camera just crashes.

The update has also caused most of the devices to slow down. When playing games, users have noticed that the functions are much slower. The slowing down is even happening when playing simple games. The sensors on the devices are not responding with the speed that they used to. This slow speed further affects the speed at which they can play games. This may be due to a malfunction in the accelerometer on the device. Linear acceleration, Gravity and Gyroscope are some of the other functions that have been affected.

When people try to get games from the Google play store they seem to be getting frequent server errors when it comes to downloading. This may be due to the fact that the applications being downloaded have not been configured to work on Android 4.3 as yet. Therefore the bug may not be due to the OS really.

One of the problems that have been occurring frequently is the fact that the Nexus devices are not working with Bluetooth keyboards. Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth 4 are some of the features that came with Android 4.3. Although the problem is common to keyboards, some people are saying that their devices can no longer connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device. Google has not yet said whether they are working on a patch as yet.

On the other hand, there are customers who have not yet got any of these problems. Many say that the cause of these problems may be due to forcing of the update rather than waiting for it to happen on its own. Most still maintain that they allowed the Android 4.3 to update on its own and wonder why they still got the issues.

Sony Rules Out Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Xperia S. Will Instead Get Android 4.1 Bug Fix Update

August 20, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson 1 Comment

Here is a good and bad news combo for owners of the Sony Xperia S who might have been eagerly awaiting the Android 4.2.2 update for their device. To deal with the bad news first, the said update is nowhere in sight, at least for now. And the good news is that the Android 4.2.2 update has been pushed back in favor of another dose of Android 4.2.1 which Sony claims has been done to take care of the bugs that has been bothering Xperia S users for long. Apart from the Xperia S, other device that Sony has had said will benefit the Android Jelly Bean bug fix update include the Xperia SL, and Xperia Acro S.

Sony has be among the first of the big name companies to come up with the list of devices that will be provided with the Android 4.3 update within just hours of Google launching the latest Android version. Unfortunately, the Xperia S which was launched in 2012 failed to make it to that list. The device which started out with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich got upgraded to Android Jelly Bean version 4.1.

However, things were far from being peaceful with the device ever since the update. Since the upgrade to the first iteration of Android Jelly Bean might have introduced the Xperia S to some great new features but it also did come with some other issues as well. Among the issues that the Android Jelly Bean version 4.1 update brought with it include Wi Fi as well as GPS not functioning as desired. It also came with UI issues mainly in the camera app, some problem with the volume keys which at times refused to function along with the battery which would drain off even with the STAMINA mode invoked. Issues with Bluetooth have also been reported.

Overall, the issues were so many that Sony was forced to come up with a fix within just weeks of its release of the Android Jelly Bean 4.1 update. Although it was not been able to do away with all the bugs, it was successful to a large extent. However, Sony didn’t reveal exactly when it intends to release the update and then proceed towards launching the Android 4.2.2 update post that.

Meanwhile, Sony has stated it will be releasing the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia SP, and Xperia ZR. The Xperia Tablet Z as well as the freshly launched Xperia Z Ultra big screen smartphone too feature in the list.

Categories