Jelly Bean 4.2 - 7/8 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Nov

JBQ: The Nexus 4 Is Not Supported In AOSP "At The Moment"

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Development, Jelly Bean 4.2, News, Nexus 4

While Android 4.2 is now making its way into AOSP (Android Open Source Project), support for one device in that code is not, and won't be for some time: the Nexus 4. Android maintainer JBQ (an awesome guy we quote a lot on days like this) has confirmed that the "Nexus 4 is not supported in AOSP at the moment: no source files, no binaries."

JBQ is not able to comment on why this is the case, or when we might expect the Nexus 4 to join Google's big happy AOSP Nexus device family, though obviously if Google could merge it into AOSP today, they would.

Nov

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

Posted by Liam Spradlin 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.

Nov

Google Posts Android 4.2 Factory Images And Binaries For Nexus 4, 7, 10, And Galaxy Nexus (Takju)

Posted by David Ruddock in Development, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Hot on the heels of the official retail availability (and now non-availability) of the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 3G, Google has updated the Android Developers Nexus images page with brand-new builds based on Android 4.2. The images, for now, are limited to the Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi and 3G), and Galaxy Nexus (Takju) Play Store variants.

In addition, driver binaries for the aforementioned devices (except the Nexus 4 / Nexus 7 3G) and more have also been posted here. Of course, in more exciting news, Android 4.2 has also just been released to AOSP - so hit up our post (here) for the latest, up-to-the-second info.

Nov

Breaking: Android 4.2 Released To AOSP

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Last Updated: November 14th, 2012

The new Nexus devices just went live, and, as promised, Google has simultaneously started pushing the code for the latest iteration of our favorite mobile OS - Android 4.2 Jelly Bean - to the Android Open Source Project. Jean-Baptiste Queru, chief Android release engineer, announced the news via a post to the Android Building group.

Update 11:22am: Android 4.2 source just finished replicating to AOSP. "The platform source files for 4.2 have finished replicating, you can now sync." -JBQ

The build number is JOP40C, while the AOSP tags is android-4.2_r1.

The Nexus 10 is now the most compatible AOSP device with everything but the GPU code open sourced.

Nov

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

Posted by Liam Spradlin 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.

Nov

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

Posted by Liam Spradlin 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.

Nov

Some Users Reporting Android 4.2 (JOP40C) Is Rolling Out To The GSM Galaxy Nexus Right Now

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Galaxy Nexus, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Sure, we're only a few hours away from the Nexus 4 and 10 launches, but that doesn't mean we can't have a software update or two while we're waiting. Some users on Google+ and Twitter are reporting that the Galaxy Nexus is receiving an update to Android 4.2 as we speak. Of course, if you're on a Sprint or Verizon device, you will probably be exempt right now, but if you see your ~~miracle~~ upgrade, speak up!

The new software brings Photosphere support, Gesture Typing (don't call it Swype), Gmail 4.2 with pinch-to-zoom, lockscreen widgets, notification quick settings, and more.

Nov

PSA: Motorola Is Changing The Update "Soak Test" Program To A "Test Drive" Program You'll Need To Sign Up For

Posted by David Ruddock in Development, Jelly Bean 4.2, Motorola, News

As part of a statement on the general state of software updates at Motorola, VP of Product Management Punit Soni has revealed that a new early update testing program will be unveiled, known as Test Drive.

We know it’s important for many of you to get the latest Android software upgrades onto your phones as quickly as possible. With that in mind, we’re also introducing Test Drive, a new program that will allow consumers to take our major software upgrades for a trial run and provide valuable feedback before we launch the upgrade publicly. Starting with Android 4.2, the next iteration of Jelly Bean, we will release a preview of our software to a few hundred consumers that sign up for Test Drive. More details on how to sign-up and participate will be announced on the blog soon.

Nov

Android 4.2 Protip: Double Tap On The App Picker To Skip The Always/Just Once Button

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.2, News

The Jelly Bean app picker saga continues! This time, there's an awesome new shortcut for those of us that are annoyed with the new-style picker that debuted in Jelly Bean 4.1. If you're drawing a blank, allow me to refresh your memory:

Gratuitous Backstory

The app picker is the thing that pops up when more than one app can handle an action. The left picture is what it used to look like in ICS, the right picture is what it changed to in Jelly Bean. The look of it isn't what we're concerned about, though, it's the function. The ICS version would go to your app of choice with 1 tap; the new Jelly Bean version requires 2, one for the app, and one for "Always" or "Just Once." This annoyed those of us who use it as an "open with" window, so that we can easily use different apps for different situation.

Nov

Initial Impressions Of The Nexus 4 - Raising The Bar For Design, Materials, And Build Quality

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.2, LG, Nexus 4

Last Updated: November 14th, 2012

Finally. Since Hurricane Sandy flooded out New York and canceled Google's press event, we've been trying everything we can think of to get a review unit. Late yesterday we got an email back from an awesome Googler (thanks!), and I immediately flew out the door to go rescue a Nexus 4 from New York. We got one! Mission accomplished!

I have a million things to work on now: a full review, a bunch of GTKAs, and teardowns of everything. First, though I figured I'd quickly show off the new Nexus:

For starters, the build quality and materials are amazing. As soon as you pick it up you know you're holding something that is built with more love and thought than a Galaxy Nexus or GSIII.