AfterDawn: News

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is finally here

Alongside their new hardware, Google also unveiled Android 4.2 today, the latest update to the mobile operating system.

The software will be available immediately on the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 devices when they are released on November 13th.



As rumored, Android 4.2 will allow multiple user accounts, meaning family members or other groups can share the device while keeping their own settings.

Additionally, the OS adds a "quick settings" icon, similar to the power control bar currently on Android devices, and very similar to the quick settings option of HTC Sense. In Android 4.2, the icon will allow you to rapidly switch between user accounts, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplane mode, adjust brightness and more.

Google has also redone the gallery app, adding "Photo Sphere." Sphere lets you take 360-degree panoramic photos, an update from the panorama of Android 4.0 and 4.1.

Finally, the update brings gesture typing, similar to Swype and SwiftKey's new Flow beta.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 29 Oct 2012 16:31

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• 6 comments

• borhan9

  Soo i may have to do an update today and see how we go with the new upgraded OS from how this reads it wont effect me majorly on how i use my phone.
  

  Edited by DVDBack23
  
  
  "the mediocre teacher tells. the good teacher explains. the superior teacher demonstrates. the great teacher inspires."- William Aruthur Ward

  29.10.2012 17:49 #1

• zxe45

  So my Samsung thats just been updated to 4.1, through Samsung own updates, when will then then update to 4.2 or will they forget it, this is getting worse than MS
  

  30.10.2012 06:17 #2

• Ripper

  zxe, while ridiculously frequent updates are obviously not a "good thing", you can't compare Google to MS in that regard; it is your carrier's fault.
  
  If you're interested in the latest updates ASAP, then you may be interested in updating it yourself - see a forum like xda-developers.
  

  
  

  30.10.2012 08:35 #3

• KillerBug

  Looking forward to the custom flash for my galaxy s3.
  

  
  

  30.10.2012 09:17 #4

• hearme0

  Originally posted by borhan9: Soo i may have to do an update today and see how we go with the new upgraded OS from how this reads it wont effect me majorly on how i use my phone. Page transitions and general phone gestures are much quicker and smoother. That you'll notice. Couple other things too but yes, no major change in the way we use our phones.

  30.10.2012 12:51 #5

• borhan9

  Originally posted by hearme0: Originally posted by borhan9: Soo i may have to do an update today and see how we go with the new upgraded OS from how this reads it wont effect me majorly on how i use my phone. Page transitions and general phone gestures are much quicker and smoother. That you'll notice. Couple other things too but yes, no major change in the way we use our phones. I tried doing the update yesterday and i got a message saying no updates available and im not going to do a cusyom update a friend of mine did and it killed his phone
  soo ill play the waiting game.
  

  Edited by DVDBack23
  
  
  "the mediocre teacher tells. the good teacher explains. the superior teacher demonstrates. the great teacher inspires."- William Aruthur Ward

  30.10.2012 17:20 #6