17
Dec
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Apex Launcher Updated With More Jelly Bean 4.2 Features, Cross-Launcher Data Import

Posted by in Applications, News

What makes a developer great is a continued commitment to a great product, and Apex Launcher dev Android Does has it in spades. Their latest in a long line of updates adds a handful of features, most of which are designed to allow the app to more seamlessly integrate with Android 4.2. There's a new shortcut to the Quick Settings menu, as well as modifications to the shortcut selection screen for 4.2 devices. Other changes include better theme, and live wallpaper support and a new dock swipe gesture on the Pro version.

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The most exciting addition to Apex is the ability to import your homescreen configuration from another launcher on your phone.

13
Dec
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BBC iPlayer Updated With Extra UI Polish, Jelly Bean 4.2 Support, And BBC Alba Channel

Posted by in Applications, News

Today, the UK's public broadcasting service, the BBC, upgraded its mobile app for Android. The update brings improvements to the UI to bring the interface a bit more in line with Android's Holo guidelines. The new version also adds support for Jelly Bean 4.2, improved video streaming over WiFi, and a new content channel.

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Here's the full changelog:

What's in this version:

Many thanks for all of your feedback on our last update. Here’s what’s new in this release:
- We’ve polished up the design of the app
- Video performance over Wi-Fi has been improved(with more improvements still to come)
- Added Android 4.2 Jelly Bean support
- You’ll find a new channel - BBC Alba
As ever, let us know what you think @bbciplayer

Of course, the BBC iPlayer isn't available outside the UK, so international users need not excite themselves too much.

20
Nov
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Android 4.2 Update (JOP40C) Rolling Out To 'Yakju' Galaxy Nexus – Manual Download Available, Factory Image Posted

Posted by in Galaxy Nexus, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

About a week after the Takju variant of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus got its 4.2 update, it looks like the same is rolling out to the Nexus' Yakju variant. The update (build JOP40C), for those not willing to wait, is also available for manual download and flashing (check the link below).

It should be noted that this update is meant solely for the Galaxy Nexus Yakju – that's the international version not from the Play Store – and your device should be running build JZO54K before you try to install the update.

For those interested, Google has also posted Yakju's 4.2 factory image here.

17
Nov
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Sorry, Santa - Google Cancels December In Android 4.2 [Updated]

Posted by in Android OS, Jelly Bean 4.2, News
Last Updated: November 20th, 2012

File this one under How did Google not have a test for this? Got a birthday or anniversary in December? Sorry - Android 4.2 doesn't know what December is. Well, rather the People/Contacts app that comes stock and is part of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) doesn't. Wait... what?

We couldn't believe it either, but it's true. Google forgot to include December. As in, there are 11 months in a year. January after November. Christmas is ruined. Santa is dead. At least we'll save money on buying presents, right?

We verified this on a Nexus 7 and a Nexus 10 running 4.2.

13
Nov
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Android 4.2 SDK (API Level 17), SDK Tools r21, NDK Released Along With API Docs

Posted by in Android OS, Development, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Today, with the official release of the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 HSPA+, Google has released the Android 4.2 SDK, "a new and improved Jelly Bean."

Along with the SDK release, Google has made available SDK Tools r21, the Android NDK, and of course some helpful API documents. Highlighting some of the benefits of the new SDK (and, by extension, Android 4.2), Google touts "Renderscript computation directly in the GPU" for the Nexus 10, "a first for any mobile computation platform," lock screen widgets, Daydream, incredibly enhanced support for external displays, and optimizations for international users.

A full list of changes (specifically those pertinent to developers) can be found in the API docs, linked at the end of this post.

13
Nov
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Android 4.2 (Build JOP40C) Rolling Out To The Nexus 7 Now – Manual Download Link Available

Posted by in Android OS, Jelly Bean 4.2, News, Nexus 7

Nexus 7 owners, it's your turn. Earlier this evening, before many countries even had access to Nexus 4 or 10 orders, Google began pushing the 4.2 (JOP40C) update to the Takju Galaxy Nexus. After some patient waiting, it appears the Nexus 7 is now ready for an update as well. In case you don't feel like waiting on the OTA though, we've got the download link and some super-easy instructions for manually updating your favorite 7-inch slate.

Prerequisite: Your Nexus 7 should be running Android 4.1.2 build JZO54K. You will not lose your data using this method.

Step 1.

12
Nov
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Android 4.2 Update (JOP40C) Rolling Out To Takju Galaxy Nexus, Grab The Manual Update Now

Posted by in Galaxy Nexus, Jelly Bean 4.2, News
Last Updated: February 12th, 2013

Just after users began reporting that their Galaxy Nexus devices were receiving an update to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (build JOP40C, to be precise), it looks like the manual update package is available for download. As could be expected, this coincides almost perfectly with the launch of Google's newest additions to the Nexus family – the Nexus 4 and 10.

Of course, it's worth reiterating that this is an update specifically for the Galaxy Nexus' Takju variant – that means only Galaxy Nexus handsets bought from the Play Store need apply (we're still waiting to hear about the Yakju variant). Your device should also be running build JZO54K before trying to install the update manually.

01
Nov
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Android VP Of Engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer Opens Up About 4.2's New Security System

Posted by in Android OS, News

We knew that Android 4.2 would see the introduction of new security features both on your device and in the Play Store, but Computerworld got a chance to speak with Android's VP of Engineering, Hiroshi Lockheimer, about the platform's beefed up security measures, specifically Android's new real-time app scanning utility.

The scanner builds on the functionality of the Play Store's existing security features by bringing app-scanning security to the frontend, scanning incoming apps from third party sources (including apps like Amazon's App Store).

The service is of course "opt-in" – when you first install a third party app on your device, you'll see a friendly popup asking if you'd like Google to check on all your incoming apps for "harmful behavior." The decision to include this feature, according to Lockheimer, came down to the idea that "security [is] a universal thing.

01
Nov
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Download The Android 4.2 Camera/Gallery App With New UI, Editing, Photo Sphere [Update: Now With Working Sphere Viewer]

Posted by in Android OS, Applications, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

UPDATE: We've updated the links below with an install package that lets you capture and view Photo Spheres right on your handset.

One of the most popular features introduced Monday with Android 4.2 was a revamped camera/gallery app (that we got a peek at early). The camera introduces a new focus/settings UI (popping up with an "options ring" only when you need it), a refreshed gallery interface, and of course – Photo Sphere.

Photo Sphere, for those who missed it, allows users to capture 360° images of their surroundings a la Google Maps, using XML data in concert with an enormous JPG file to help you save an immersive photo experience of where you've been.

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