Jelly Bean is
Google’s latest mobile platform, but there’s no guarantee the tablet you buy
will be running it. If you’re lucky enough to get it, here’s what to expect
Jelly Bean is an incremental update to
Googles Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile OS, but it helps Android close
the gap on iOS and has been very well received by those lucky enough to be able
to access it. Indeed, while version 4.2 Jelly Bean is now upon us, as seen on
the Nexus 4 smartphone and Nexus 7 and 10 tablets, most devices are yet to be
upgraded to 4.1 from 4.0, let alone to 4.2. Here, we’ll look in-depth at the
changes in Jelly Bean 4.1, and then explain some of the new features added to
4.2.
Android
4.2 Jelly Bean
Performance
One of the first things you notice when you
use Jelly Bean for the first time is the speed boost. Google calls it ’Project
Butter’, and we can vouch for the fact it is lag-free and super-smooth. It’s
extended vsync timing to all drawing and animation, tripled the graphics
buffering and even applied some wizardry that anticipates where on the display
your finger will move next. Following a period of inactivity, a CPU input boost
is applied at the next touch event to eliminate latency.
Interface
Since Jelly Bean is an incremental update
to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the interface hasn’t seen a major overhaul. The main
addition is smooth animations, seen when you open an app. for example. Rather
than the app suddenly popping up when you tap its icon, the animation gradually
appears from wherever that icon is placed onscreen. Another improvement is that
widgets and app shortcuts will automatically rearrange themselves around a new
object, and if there’s only a certain space available the widget will resize
itself to fit.
Notifications
The Notifications bar has been enhanced and
can now show more detail, such as including a text message or photo. Some
notifications can be expanded or collapsed with a two-finger gesture. As well
as showing more information, users can respond to the notification via multiple
action buttons without opening the associated app. You could respond to a
missed call by returning the call directly from the alert, for example.
Google Now
One of the best new features in Jelly Bean
is called Google Now, the latest development in Google search. Its aim is to
stay one step ahead of you, offering the answers to your questions before you
ask them.
Google
Now android Jelly Bean
For Google Now to work at its best it needs
to get to know you. When logged into your Google account, it will use your
search history to learn what sort of things you look for. If you’re happy to
divulge your search habits, location and similar information, Google Now will
quickly become a useful tool.
Dictation and keyboard input
Until Jelly Bean, Android’s voice-input
feature has required a data connection to function. Now, you can dictate an
email or text message, for instance, regardless of whether you have a mobile or
Wi-Fi connection. Words appear onscreen almost immediately after they’ve left
your mouth.
Voice search
As before, you can use the microphone icon
to perform a voice search. Like Apple’s Siri, you can have the answers read
aloud to you. Android also gets one over on Siri in the UK, since you can
search for local businesses and attractions.
Chrome
Google Chrome is the default web browser.
It offers an excellent tabbed browsing experience and things such as your
bookmarks, most visited sites and even open tabs can be easily synchronised
with the desktop version of Chrome. There are other nifty settings, too, such
as the ability to configure text scaling.
Flash
The biggest issue with Jelly Bean is its
lack of Flash support. This puts it in a similar position to the iPad, on which
Flash-based web and video content is inaccessible. If you’re happy to do a bit
of hacking there are ways around this.
New in Jelly Bean 4.2
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is preloaded on
Google’s own-brand Nexus devices. It hasn’t announced when the free update will
roll out to other devices - as always, if and when your specific device is
upgraded will depend on whether its manufacturer decides doing so is worth its
while.
Android
4.2 Jelly Bean is preloaded on Google’s own-brand Nexus devices.
A new feature is the ability to configure
multiple user accounts, each with its own Home screens, backgrounds, widgets,
apps and games. It’s a snap to switch between users, without logging out.
Gesture typing is another neat addition,
which in effect turns Android’s keyboard into a Swype-style keyboard. You glide
a finger over the characters you wish to use, and it intelligently works out
what you’re trying to write, automatically inserting spaces.
If you like taking panoramic photos, Photo
Sphere is great. This camera feature allows you to take continuous pictures in
any direction, then stitches them together in a sphere.
Also new is wireless display technology,
which lets you share what’s on your device on a larger screen, expandable
notifications for more apps, lock-screen widgets, and quick settings in the Notifications
bar.
Note that not all these features will
necessarily be available on all devices running Android 4.2, since the
manufacturer will the OS how it sees fit.
