15
May
Android-Jelly-Bean-Logo

Google Bumps Google TV To Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, LG Confirms It Will Update GTV Devices, Finally Support NDK

Posted by in Google TV, LG, News
Last Updated: May 17th, 2013

Google TV is the project no one in Mountain View likes to talk about. It was announced with much fanfare, but the platform has languished on an ancient version of Android 3.2 Honeycomb for far too long. Well, Google didn't see fit to mention it at the keynote, but Google TV is getting a fresh coat of paint with an Android 4.2.2 update.

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The update should appear on compatible Google TV devices in the next few months and bring new core functionality and support for newer builds of Google Chrome. Google says the update to Jelly Bean will allow OEMs to build updates for Google TV devices in weeks rather than months.

14
May
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BLU Announces The Studio 5.0, Studio 5.0 S, and Studio 5.3 S: Jelly Bean, Big Screens, And Small Prices

Posted by in BLU Products, News

BLU isn't yet a household name in the realm of smartphones, but the company has been quietly releasing hardware for the last few years, letting the remarkably low pricing do the talking. Today they've pulled the cover off of three new models, all aimed at the new "phablet" craze, or at least the lower end of it. The new Studio GSM smartphones start at 5 inches and just $149, and all three feature Android 4.1, the Google Play Store, and dual SIM slots. Specs are low, but these phones look like ideal budget devices or travel companions.

BLU PRODUCTS STUDIO 5.0

The Studio 5.0 is the cheapest of the lot, at $149 unsubsidized.

06
May
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TV Guide Mobile Version 3 Released With Interface, Experience Overhaul For ICS, Jelly Bean Users

Posted by in Applications, News

If you've been paying attention to TV Guide's official app, you know that it's needed some attention for a while. Its UI through version 2.x was an outdated pastiche of Gingerbread tabs and gradated iconography desperately in need of a redesign (and support for 4.0+). Today, TV Guide has fulfilled that need (for the most part), bringing to the Play Store TV Guide Mobile version 3.0. The update also brought "many cool new features" to the app, which we'll discuss momentarily. First though, check out the difference between the old and new interfaces.

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Before: ew.

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After: yay!

01
May
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Google Updates Platform Distribution Numbers – Gingerbread Down To 38.5%, Jelly Bean Up To 28.4%

Posted by in Android OS, Development, Google, News

As usual Google has updated monthly platform distribution numbers for Android in its developer dashboard. The numbers, based on devices accessing the Play Store over the last 14 days (ending May 1st), tell developers which versions of Android are most prevalent, and which are on the decline.

This month, as last month, we're seeing a decline in Gingerbread and a rise in Jelly Bean. Gingerbread has dropped from 39.8% to 38.5%, a 1.3% drop for those keeping tally at home. Jelly Bean, meanwhile, has seen a slightly more substantial shift, rising 3.4% from 25% to 28.4%.

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Elsewhere, the ebb and flow of version numbers is more or less expected.

29
Apr
2013-04-10-16.09.19

Google I/O 2013: Google's To-Do List This Year

Posted by in Android OS, News
Last Updated: May 3rd, 2013

Google I/O is coming! We'll know about all of Google's new projects in just 2 short agonizingly long weeks. While we desperately count the days until May 15th, we thought it would be a great idea to take stock all of the things we've caught wind of lately.

Calling this an "I/O Preview," sounds a little too certain. I'm not predicting everything here will come out at I/O, this is just a list of everything we know Google is working on - their "To-Do" list. Just like any to-do list, Google could cross something off and release it, or endlessly procrastinate, or completely cancel something.

26
Apr
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Google Is Working On And Testing Android 4.3 - It's Still Jelly Bean

Posted by in Android OS, Exclusives, News

As everyone is trying to guess whether the next big Android update is going to be Key Lime Pie or not, and whether the release will be Android 5.X or 4.X, we have yet to hear anything concrete. After getting a tip from an eagle-eyed reader (thanks, deepayan!) and digging deeper, I can definitively tell you that Google is currently working on Android 4.3, and it is still Jelly Bean.

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  1. Specifically, the build I'm seeing floating around our server logs is Android 4.3 JWR23B, which indicates this is still Jelly Bean (the first letter of the build is always the same as the first letter of the Android version name).

26
Apr

C Spire's Motorola Photon Q Jelly Bean Update Rolling Out (Build 9.8.2Q-122_XT897_FFW-7)

Posted by in C Spire, Device Updates, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Photon Q

QWERTY phones might be few and far between but they haven't died out completely. If you have a Motorola Photon Q and you're on C Spire, you might want to open your Settings menu and check for updates. The round sugary goodness of Jelly Bean is on its way.

The update brings a bunch of improvements in its wake:

Enhancements:

  • Google Now
    Added feature that generates real-time notifications throughout the day with relevant, contextual information such as weather, traffic, calendar. To access Google Now, press and hold the phone's search key.
  • Voice Search
    Enhanced Voice Search to recognize questions asked in colloquial language, such as "Do I need an umbrella today?" Some questions may receive a spoken answer, while others will trigger a Google Search.

25
Apr
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Sprint's Motorola Photon Q Finally Getting Jelly Bean (Build 9.8.2Q-122_XT897_FFW-5)

Posted by in Device Updates, News, Photon Q, Sprint
Last Updated: April 26th, 2013

I know a few people who just love QWERTY phones, despite the fact that they're a dying breed. For those among you who happen to love QWERTYs and are on Sprint, there's a chance you're holding a Motorola Photon Q in your hand right now. And if that's the case, you should probably head into the Settings menu and check for updates – Jelly Bean is coming your way. Get excited.

The update brings a slew of enhancements along for the ride:

Enhancements/Fixes

  • Google OS upgrade to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
  • Google Now
  • Voice search enhancements
  • Camera includes improved image quality and more intuitive panorama mode
  • Ability to zoom out to filmstrip mode in the Gallery
  • Keyboard includes improved dictionary and text to speech capabilities
  • Notification enhancements
  • resolved Quick Office closing when reviewing a document
  • Improved GSM roaming connectivity for global use
  • Improved streaming of Sprint TV when location services are turned off
  • Enhanced security and ease of use on the face unlock feature
  • Removed Quick Views, Speed Dial, and MOTOPRINT applications
  • Improved accuracy and response of voice to text for texting, emailing, and web search

So, what are you waiting for?

24
Apr
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Sony Announces Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) For The Xperia P, go, And E Dual - Rollout Starts This Week; Xperia S, SL, acro S, ion End Of May

Posted by in Device Updates, News, Sony, Xperia Acro S (Hikari), Xperia Go (Lotus), Xperia Ion (Aoba), Xperia P (Nypon), Xperia S (Nozomi)
Last Updated: April 26th, 2013

It's been a long time coming, guys – we've definitely seen our fair share of upset Xperia P owners who've been waiting for this update. But, the good news is that it's finally here, and the P is joined by the go and E Dual.

According to the Sony blog, the 4.1 update not only brings Jelly Bean, but also a slew of new enhancements that Sony has been working to "blend" with the OS. Among these new features, you'll find updated versions of WALKMAN, Album, and movies; a way to make your battery last longer with "Battery STAMINA Mode," a more customizable launcher, more home screens, and more.

23
Apr
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Verizon Updates Spectrum 2 Support Docs, Jelly Bean Incoming (Build VS93021B)

Posted by in Device Updates, News, Spectrum 2, Verizon Wireless
Last Updated: April 26th, 2013

Looks like Verizon's on a roll – two OTAs in the same day! Earlier today, it updated the support docs for the original Stratosphere with details of an upcoming incremental update, and now it looks like Jelly Bean is getting ready to hit the airwaves on its way to the LG Spectrum 2.

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Aside from Jelly Bean goodies, the update also packs a few fixes and tweaks:

+ Weather application and widget have been updated
+ NFC LG Tag+ help has been improved
+ Brightness option has been moved to notification panel for global access
+ Browser now loads Google account bookmarks
+ Improved readability for email conversation
+ Optimized Bluetooth® connect/disconnect and audio stream switching implementations
+ User can back up contacts when the SIM is swapped to a new device
+ Preloaded widgets including Social+, Today+, Finance, News and Power Control have been removed

Once Big Red updates its support docs, that usually means an OTA is imminent – this one should likely start heading out sometime this week.

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