Just when you thought life could not be sweeter, Google Android 4.1 The new operating system Jelly Bean makes his way out of the oven and the world.
Google Jelly Bean version builds on the foundation of Sandwich Ice Cream - aka Android 4.0 - and adds a lot of nails, performance improvements and new features in the mixture. It is not as converting an upgrade as ICS was, but it is certainly important - and certainly something you want on your phone or tablet.
What exactly is new with Jelly Bean, and what this means for you that you? Here are the answers to your most pressing questions.
Android 4.1 T look different?
If you have ice cream sandwich, the visual differences in Android 4.1 are subtle - more refinements that revolutions. (If you are not yet on ICS, you have big changes in store, see my FAQ Ice Cream Sandwich for the full scoop on redesigning 4.0 level.)
Jelly Bean retains the basic look and feel introduced in Android 4.0 polishes but many details. The notification must drop a new look, with larger text and more gray and white instead of blue. (It also has new features - more on that in a bit.)
Many new effects and transitions are dotted throughout the system, too. When you move your finger across the screen lock, for example, a circle of dots following the contact. And when you open an application from your home screen, the application opens by zooming up the space you touched. These types of subtle improvements add up to make the interface more polished and impressive Android than it has ever been before.
Jelly Bean introduced a new "share" menu, too, with improved "open with" box (you know, the dialog box that appears when you press a link or file more than one program can to treat). The search box at the top of the home screen has a new type of frosted look. And the first phone setup / connection process is getting a makeover major; with Jelly Bean, the process is much simpler and user friendly than what we saw in the past.
What about performance? Jelly Bean is really faster than ICS?
Believe it or not, it is. Google Android 4.1 called its thrust performance "project butter" because it is intended to make everything run much more smoothly (either that or because it is salty and delicious - but I'm assuming the former).
There is no simple gimmick, either: The difference in speed from 4.0 to 4.1 Android is immediately noticeable. With Jelly Bean, the phone runs much faster than it did in past versions Android. Transitions, especially between the home screen and the tray application, are significantly faster. And "recent apps" list loads instantly when you press the button - this slight delay in ICS is a thing of the past. I tested two Galaxy Nexus phones side by side, one with Android 4.0 and 4.1 with the other, and the improvements are obvious.
(You can learn more about what it's like to actually use in my Jelly Bean 4.1 Android hands on impressions.)
Okay, Mr. Wizard, How did they take Android 4.1 so much faster then?
Well, señor and / or señorita, take a deep breath: Google has increased the speed of the Android OS by improving the system frame rate and display refresh signal and is also developing a new key entry system that anticipates where your fingers will arise and then gives the processor an extra shot of power when you touch the screen.
Phew - got there?
If you really want more technical details, do me a favor: Go outside and breathe some fresh air, perhaps interacting with a real human being or two, then come back. I'll wait.
Still interested? My, you are a tenacious little monkey. The full technical nitty gritty butter project is more than I will detail here, but you can find all the details you crave on the website of Google Android developers "- specifically, this page.
Well, talking about features. Tell me about new research and stuff Jelly Bean voice command.
I thought you'd never ask! Android 4.1 gets an entirely new system of research, and boy, is it cool. Rather than just show you the results on the web for the term you enter, the configuration Jelly Bean Research gives you the information cards with detailed answers on what you really want to know. (You can always find the standard search results in the quick info cards.)
Research is also now more fully integrated into the Android system: In addition to the Google search box at the top of the home screen, you can access the search tool of the Android lock screen - by dragging up on the slider - or from anywhere in the operating system by sliding against the virtual Home button.
The most impressive new Jelly Bean research, undoubtedly, is the voice system revamped research. While Google Voice Actions allowed you to issue voice commands for specific years, the new 4.1-level configuration allows for more natural and query types.
Once in the search tool, you can just say "Google" to activate the new Voice Control. Then you can ask any questions and Google displays - and say - you the answers.
If you ask "What is the height of Scarlett Johansson," for example, the system returns a card with the face of the actress (nothing wrong with that) and his height, he speaks loudly and tells you Information. If you ask, "How is it going to be hot tomorrow" or "Is it supposed to rain this week?" - Or just about any other issue related to the weather - Google provides the answer in a single graph-plus-audio form.
The options go on and on. You can ask for good Chinese restaurants near you, tell Google to go to a specific location by car or on foot, or have any type of Web accessible information, from when your favorite sports team plays next to your friend when flight is scheduled to arrive. The existing command prompt style still work, too, if you want to send a note, compose and send a text, or start listening to a particular band or song.
The possibilities are virtually endless.
What is Google now a thing all about?
Google is now a new part of the search tool Android 4.1. In short, it uses a combination of your location, search history, calendar, and other habits to automatically provide relevant information for you all day.
(And if you're worried about privacy, yes, it is optional; Google now works only if you choose to opt in.)
The concept seems cool, but it will take some time to see how it actually ends up being useful. So this kind of thing Google can do now? Some examples: He can inform you about the weather at the beginning of the day, you show how traffic to expect as you head towards the door to work, to show you the score of your favorite sports team when the current game, and show you when the next train to arrive as you step onto the platform.
If you schedule an appointment to come, Google can now look at the appointment and your current location and estimated travel time based on current traffic and let you know when you must leave to arrive on time. If you are in a new area, Google now recommend restaurants and other nearby places of interest. Cards that are particularly timely appear as notifications on your phone, all other Google maps are now always available in the search tool Jelly Bean.
Crazy concept, huh?
What's New in notifications Android 4.1?
Everything! Jelly Bean notifications are a brand new set compared to previous versions of Android. Aside from visual differences, notifications in Android 4.1 are both scalable and action-oriented.
What this means is that you can drag down the notifications, using two fingers, and to develop additional information and options. When developing a missed call, for example, you get more options to call back or text to the right person for your notifications panel. With a new email, you can expand to see more details about new messages in your inbox. And captured a screenshot, you can develop for an option to share the picture right then and there.
Not too bad.
How this is about the home screen - something new is happening there?
You talk, bucko. We have already discussed some of the settings (the new search bar, drag the control up-to-search engine on the home button virtual), but fear not: There is more.
On the one hand, Jelly Bean, it is much easier to add and arrange widgets and shortcuts on your home screen. When you drag a new widget, the system automatically moves other elements in the area to make room for it. If there is still not enough space, it will resize the widget to make it fit for you (where possible).
The same happens with the regular App shortcuts: You can drag an icon next to another icon to knock it in and open space.
Android 4.1 also features a handful of new widgets embedded systems, including a bunch of Google-related items Play (to view your purchased / leased multimedia, recommendations for application or multimedia downloads, and so on) as well as a widget Sound research is essentially the same as Shazam or SoundHound: You press the widget by playing a song, and after "listening" for a few seconds, it tells you the name of the song and the artist who performs it.
Why Google wants to build its own version of such a thing, you might ask? Simple: With the song and artist information, the Google Search widget sound gives you an option of a tap to buy the track directly from the Google store Play. Cha-ching!
How Jelly Bean look on a shelf?
An excellent survey, my dear Watson. As it turns out, how Jelly Bean looks on a shelf depends on the size of the tablet.
I would go further, but my fingers get tired. Fortunately, a devilishly handsome writer already done a great job of explaining the situation, you can bask in the exotic beauty of the info (or, you know, just know the basic facts) on this page.
What is it? Nothing new Jelly Bean?
Oh, ye of little faith. Jelly Bean has many other surprises.
Here is a laundry list of other bells and whistles that you expect random in Android 4.1:
A camera application updated allowing you to slide the viewfinder to jump directly to your image gallery for easy photo viewing and sharing
A keyboard system updated with better dictionaries, improved text to speech, features off-line text-to-speech support, and intelligent word prediction (the one SwiftKey)
Added support for NFC share photos and videos
"Updates smart app" that let you download only the changed portions of updated applications instead of having to download the entire application each time an update rolls in
A way of improving security in the face of unlocking that requires you to blink before unlocking your phone
A slew of gesture commands based on new navigation for users with visual impairments; also added support for Braille input and output devices
Got it. So goes my phone / tablet is Jelly Bean? And if so, when?
That's the question a million dollars, does not it? Unfortunately, outside of the current crop of devices experience pure Google - Nexus Galaxy, Motorola Xoom, and Nexus S (which are all set to start receiving upgrades to 4.1 in the course of July, according to Google HSPA + version of the Nexus Galaxy began receiving its upgrade last week) - it is too early to say much in terms of specific upgrade for most phones and tablets.
The reason: Apart from Nexus and devices experience Google, Android updates are in the hands of manufacturers. And until manufacturers begin to tell us what they devices to upgrade and when, all we can do is guess.
If you are still waiting for the ice cream sandwich, you can check the status of last update for your device on my list of Android 4.0 upgrade and it has always kept up to date with the latest information available for all phones and tablets. And once we know more about the plans of different manufacturers for upgrades jelly bean, I will make that information easy for you to find both.
Return to this page for updates, or follow @ AndroidPower on Twitter to get access to information that I can learn. You can also follow me on Twitter directly, + Google, or Facebook, my contact is shown below.
So there you have it: the ins and outs of Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. The name of the upgrade is about as fitting as can be, with all the cool stuff Google's new version packed in, Jelly Bean is almost guaranteed to make you feel like a kid in a candy store.
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