What Android users should know about the Jelly Bean 4.1 update

Many Android smartphones and tablets including the Samsung Galaxy S III and Google Nexus 7 are offering the latest Android operating system update, version 4.1 Jelly Bean. Although Jelly Bean enhances many of the great features offered in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, users should consider the new operating system more of an evolution than a revolution.

Smooth like butter

The first thing Google showed off when introducing Jelly Bean at the Google I/O event in June this year was something they codenamed Project Butter. In other words, Android users can expect Jelly Bean to be a whole lot smoother than previous versions. Transitions are silky smooth when scrolling between screens or pages, animations are slicker and the touch response is generally improved. Cleverly, Jelly Bean knows when youre touching the screen and speeds up your devices processor, then slows it down when youre not. Anyone who buys a Jelly Bean-powered device or updates older models that are eligible should discover their device is generally snappier and notice speed improvements throughout the Android system.

Nice new notifications

Android has always done a good job when it comes to notifications from various apps or services, requiring other software and hardware makers to constantly play catch-up. In Jelly Bean, notifications are even better, offering far more contextual information. The notifications are expandable and actionable. If youre notified about a meeting, you can dismiss it right from the notification or even email other guests. Just missed a call? Jelly Bean lets you call or text someone back right from the pull-down notification.

Google Now is the here and now

Based on your personal Google search history both on your device and when logged-in to Google services elsewhere, Google Now helps to inform you of events, activities and more. It is location-aware and can tell you the weather in the morning, how the traffic will be on your commute, or how your favorite sports team is doing. Cards appear during the day, popping up from the bottom of the screen, and you can choose which ones you want to surface. They can track everything from flight delays, upcoming appointments, public transit, local currency rates and even suggestions of places to visit nearby.

The basic Google search functionality has been improved to take into account the power of Googles Knowledge Graph, which shows web results in a smarter way. Voice search and voice recognition are also better.

Fun with widgets and photos

When you add widgets to your home screens in Jelly Bean, the other shortcuts automatically move and shift so its easy to find the best spot for the widget. In addition, many widgets will resize on their own to fit, or you can simply adjust them yourself.

The camera isnt necessarily different on Jelly Bean, but sharing images gets a whole lot easier. You can swipe from the camera to the filmstrip of photos to instantly view the images you just shot, or swipe away the ones you dont like. Accidently deleted an image? With Jelly Bean its simple to undo the delete with a simple tap. Using Android Beam, you can share photos with another device just by bringing it close.

In-built system and Google apps

Many of these improvements are subtle but indicate that Google is always tweaking its operating system under the surface to make things better. The People app, for example, helps you organize your contacts better and there is a new algorithm to avoid duplication. Its also possible to clear the frequently called list. When you miss a call, a new notification lets you return the call or reply by SMS with a single touch. The Calendar app is smoother, notifications are far more descriptive, and its easy to create your own default quick responses for emailing guests. There are subtle improvements to the in-built keyboard, too. These include more accurate dictionaries, better prediction and correction and an easy way to switch languages.

There are many improvements to the Google+ app, including the ability to create and manage events directly from your device or see the live streams of all participants in a video Hangout. Gmail sees improved notifications, while YouTube gets a slicker and more intuitive interface. Google Chrome takes advantage of Jelly Beans advanced rendering to improve responsiveness, while Maps adds support for offline viewing, built-in Zagat ratings and even indoor walking directions. Fortunately, as these apps are available independently, even non-Jelly Bean users can take advantage of their latest updates and improvements.

So while Jelly Bean isnt the massive sea change Android users experienced when Ice Cream Sandwich was first released last year, it does improve on its predecessor significantly. It makes your device smoother, more responsive and generally patches up a few bugs and issues which emerged in previous operating systems.

Rumors are swirling that the next Android software release will be either 4.2 or 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Any sweetness will emerge from that tasty dessert is as yet unknown.

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